Large Equipment in Alberta

Stanley stopped to look at this grader. There is lots of large equipment in Alberta because of the oil sands and construction.  This grader is used to clear snow at projects.  This is a mild winter so projects have continued through the winter.

Stanley Goes to a Birthday Party

Stanley went with Alberta Host and her family to a birthday party. A friend made this cake and cupcakes.

Over 100 people attended.  It was a potluck meal and there was lots of good food from all over the world.

Flowers helped us celebrate!

We all sang "Happy Birthday" when Marg blew out her birthday candle.  Can you see the smoke?  Stanley wore his tie to be dressed up.

Stanley goes to Church

Stanley enjoyed the visiting band that led the service. This band has traveled across Canada.  Its name is spelled rEvolve.

Two of the members of the band rEvolve, Chris Giffen and Gord Oaks.

Stanley got a close look at the musical instruments.

Stanley helped celebrate the month's birthdays and special events with cake!  Good timing, Stanley!

The church sound system was very interesting.

This stained glass window shows many of the flowers mentioned in the Bible. 

Getting Ready to go to a Birthday Party

The Alberta Host family is going to a special birthday party and Stanley is invited too!  Alberta Host made him a tie to dress up.  He also has a party hat but you'll see that tomorrow!

Stanley Writes Home

Stanley spent some time writing post cards home to tell Jack of his travels.  Everyone likes to get mail!

Horses in Alberta

There are a lot of horses in Alberta.  Most are pleasure horses.  Some are "work horses", a stronger type of horse farmers used to pull implements.  The nephew and niece of Alberta Host have many horses.  Here is a picture from the summertime. 

The mother horse did not like me taking pictures.  Most animal mothers protect their babies fiercely.  They can be dangerous!

Child Poverty in Alberta

Stanley learned that there is also poverty in Alberta.  This is very sad.  Some people made "Poverty Dolls" and gave them to government leaders to remind them about child poverty.  They also decorated bird houses because all birds have a nest but not all children in Alberta have a home.

Stanley visits the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.

Stanley went to French class.  This is a friend.  The brick building in the background was the home of Alex Rutherford, Alberta's first premier.

Stanley visited the Dance Club.

A dinosaur fossil!

Stanley liked the displays of dinosaurs.

These rocks at the University of Alberta glow under ultraviolet light.  So does Stanley's shirt.  Can you see him?

These are glass copies of famous diamonds in the world.  The big blue one behind Stanley is a copy of the "Hope Diamond".

This display shows the rock used in building the Alberta Legislature.  The brown rock on the right is sandstone.  The rock at the front is marble.  Click on the picture to make it larger.

Alberta Host's older daughter is studying Education at the University of Alberta.  She took Stanley to see the campus.  She stopped for a coffee but Stanley declined.

Stanley visits historic Fort Edmonton Park

This is the Al-Rashid Mosque which has been moved to Fort Edmonton. It was the first mosque built with the purpose of being a mosque in Canada. Historically, many Muslims moved to Edmonton because they heard there was a mosque here. Several historic churches are also in Fort Edmonton.   

Fort Edmonton is not open to the general public in the winter. Stanley wants to return in the summer to learn about the fur trade and visit the old fort.

The Capitol Theatre was finished last year on "1920 Street". They put on plays and dinner theatre here.  Alberta Host attended a play here and it was really fun.  The food was great too.

This is the rebuilt Selkirk Hotel.  People can actually rent rooms here and have dinner.  Stanley recommends the chocolate cake.

Stanley was lucky that Alberta Host's older daughter works at Fort Edmonton Park.  She took Stanley to work with her to see the park.  She wore her parka too.

Stanley visits the Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The Muttart family kindly donated money to build this conservatory so that visitors could learn about plants from around the world.  It is made of four large glass pyramids, joined by a square in the middle.  There are four climate zones shown.  People like to escape winter by visiting here.

It was steamy in the Tropical pyramid so Stanley could take off his parka! He is admiring an orchid.  There is an orchid club in Edmonton.

Stanley saw a stream running through the pavilion. He thought it would be a good place to swim.  Alberta Host explained that swimming is not allowed.  However, Edmonton has many swimming pools.

Stanley left a compliment when he signed  the guest book.  He has good manners.

 

 

The spring flower display reminded Stanley of home in Burnaby, B. C..

This was Stanley's favourite cactus in the Arid Pyramid.

Creative work by Edmonton students

This display of "Mother Earth" came from Australia. It looks like a woman sleeping.  The display had to wait in quarantine for two years to make sure the plants or soil did not have dangerous bugs or disease in them.  This rule is to protect Canada's agriculture and forestry.

Wind Energy in Alberta

Alberta produces a lot of energy - oil, gas, coal, wood and wind!  This painting shows wind turbines in southern Alberta.  You can see the Rockie Mountains in the background.

The Provincial Legislature in Edmonton

You can just see the dome of the Alberta Legislature in the background. They are building a new underground parking lot so Stanley and Alberta Host could not get very close.  Alberta Host almost got a parking ticket but Stanley smiled at the parking ticket person.  Wedding parties and graduates get their pictures taken here (but not in the construction site!)

Stanley visits the Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, Alberta.

The museum was renamed to remember the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to Alberta. There is free parking at the museum.  A new, bigger museum is going to be built downtown.

 

Mammoths used to live in Alberta many years ago.  There are mammoth bones at this museum!

This stuffed bison startled me when we came in the door.  There used to be huge herds of bison in Alberta. A museum display shows how the native tribes used to hunt them for food and other needs.

School groups come to the Royal Alberta Museum for special sessions. They can bring their own lunch and eat in a room set aside for them. 

Stanley found this picture made by a student from British Columbia!  Isn't it great?  There are raccoons in parts of Alberta.

Government House, Edmonton, Alberta

Can you find Stanley in this picture?  Government House used to be the Official Residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.  It is now used for special meetings.  You can also tour it.  It is right beside the Royal Alberta Museum.

Stanley discovered the Alberta crest on the door of Alberta House! It includes wheat, the mountains and the beautiful blue Alberta sky. Stanley compared it to the official British Columbia crest (his home province).

Science and the Stars!

Stanley visited the Telus World of Science. There are many fun displays and a planetarium.  Alberta Host has helped take school field trips here.  It looks like a rocket ship.  It has a real rock from the moon!

The next special exhibit will be about robots!

This model of a brain was very interesting.

Snacks and Fun at West Edmonton Mall

Stanley and Alberta Host got hungry so they stopped for a snack.  Stanley decided to join the Cookie Club.  Competitive Skaters practice on the rink in the background.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police look a little different in Edmonton but they were very friendly.

This is a life sized model of the Santa Maria ship used by Christopher Columbus when he visited North America.  It would probably fit in the school gym in Burnaby, B. C. , where Stanley comes from. It floats in an indoor "ocean" which shows marine life.