No trip to Edmonton could happen without a visit to cousins and West Edmonton Mall. A tightly planned and executed schedule is of utmost importance, especially when family ties and adventure await. Everything is so lush; the resplendent green after the rains has transformed the area into a picturesque landscape. It has rained a ton recently; last week, the southeast Edmonton area accumulated an astounding 177 mm in just three days. Such an incredible amount of moisture has filled the rivers to the brim, and their swift currents are a testament to nature’s power. Unfortunately, the Edmonton Dragon Boat Club was not spared; they lost their dock along with five boats that were found over 100 km downstream—a considerable loss for such an active community.

Vicki has numerous cousins in the area, many of whom she has not seen in over 30 years. The anticipation of reconnecting has been thrilling, and the scheduled meetings promise to be both nostalgic and heartwarming. On Wednesday, we had brunch with one cousin, reminiscing about days gone by, and that evening, we shared dinner with another cousin. Lunch the following day was also on the calendar with yet another family member. Each visit was a delightful experience spent exchanging stories about parents and grandparents, sharing details about each other’s children and grandchildren, and laughing together at old memories. As the visits drew to a close, there were heartfelt hugs and tears, accompanied by an unspoken realization that at our ages, there might not be another chance to gather like this again. Time flows in one direction; memory, as we all know, travels in another.

In between the visits, we squeezed in a short trip to the famous West Edmonton Mall, or WestEd, as we affectionately called it. It’s interesting how time changes perceptions. Reflecting on my memories from 30 years ago, I recall it as a thrilling adventure to visit the mall, which was once the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the world. All these years later, while the amusement park still calls to thrill-seekers with its rides, some notable attractions, like the loop-d-loop roller coaster and the Drop of Doom, are sadly long gone. I spotted the rails and loops of the coaster, now stacked in a corner, gathering dust, a mere shadow of its former glory. The submarines that once glided across the lagoon are no longer seen; gone are the days when pirates entertained the crowds high in the rigging of their ship.

The skating rink remains, although I remember it as a full-sized rink; upon closer inspection, it has actually shrunk quite a bit over the years. Instead of Edmonton Oilers players practicing, I watched figure skaters now spin and twirl gracefully across the ice, showcasing their talents. The water park and the Fantasyland Hotel continue to anchor the entertainment attractions within the mall, offering fun for families. However, the retail landscape feels less unique; the stores are largely the same as any suburban mall across Canada, with only a few specialty shops like the Lego store and some delightful Asian stores standing out as worth exploring. Our visit concluded with a delicious ice cream cone, which we indulged in while resting our feet, a small reward after tallying up 5,000 steps on the ol’ Apple Watch.

Soon it was time to be off for our next cousin visit, a joyful but bittersweet reminder that this trip was fleeting. Afterwards, we returned to our trailer for one last walk with the dog before turning in for the night. We were staying at a very active park near where we camped, where paved pathways meandered alongside the picturesque banks of the Sturgeon River that flows through St. Albert. This charming locale boasted a fantastic sculpture—a giant concrete pine cone—whose significance remains a mystery to us, yet it undeniably contributes to the area’s unique charm.

As we settled down for the night, we reflected on the day’s adventures. We’ve taken to turning in early; the fatigue of driving and pulling a trailer 400-500 kms per day catches up with us quickly. Still, despite the weariness, there’s a comforting satisfaction in the memories we create along the way. Ten o’clock has become the customary bedtime for us on this trip—an early conclusion to our bustling days. Good night all.