Summer Adventure - Parks Day at Elk Island

The following photos were taken on July 16, 2016 in Elk Island National Park just outside of Edmonton & Sherwood Park, AB.

Astotin Lake, the beach. View from our picnic lunch.

Mom & Dude, the Adventurers

Canada's National Parks have installed these bright red double Adirondak chairs at points within their parks that have "great views". Well, we found one! And the view was great.

The View From The Red Chairs

There were SO MANY BOATS on the lake this afternoon! It was a spectacular site to see.

My main goal on this mini road trip was to get the NEW BIKES out of the city. The Parks gal recommended a good trail, mostly paved, and we were off. I got to teach Lucas about shifting gears to make it up those tough hills. It's his longest ride to date, and he did so great! I definitely recommend the Shoreline Trail, even though you don't actually really ever see the lake. Hmmm.

Before the ride vs. after the ride. As a reward for our most excellent bike ride, we treated ourselves to an order of Drift Truck fries! Mmmm I miss these fries.

Notes about Elk Island Park...
- It's about a 45 minute drive outside of Edmonton on HWY 16. If you want to avoid some of the Henday construction, I recommend cutting through Sherwood Park.
- Astotin Lake is the big lake we were hanging out at. There are boat (canoe & kayak) rentals, a small beach, and lots of picnic spots with fire pits and/or shelters close by.
- There are many great hiking trails in the park, so make sure you get a map! Most are easily accessible from the main road, and have their own parking lots. These are usually much quieter than the area around Astotin.
- You can buy a visitor pass from the Visitor Centre or from the drive up kiosk. For Lucas & I it was around $11 for the day.
- Please keep in mind that while this park is so close to the city, it is still a National Park filled with WILD ANIMALS! Apparently, it's mating season for the bison right now, and one of the Park's recent tweets was something along the lines of: "you wouldn't want to be interrupted would you?..."

xo

Tell A Story - My Dude Gets A New Bike

One of the things I struggle with as a parent is Lucas' inability to show emotion and excitement for some things. I mean, other than when the new amebos came out, or a funny Minecraft video on YouTube.

For example, I bought him a new bike last month.

A NEW FRICKEN BIKE!

And I was so excited for him! I took him to United Cycle to test drive some bikes, and he rode one and said okay this one is fine. Huh?! That’s it? Well, being The Mom, I made him ride two more, and then tried to present his options to him in the most exciting way I could. But he didn’t really care. It didn’t matter to him what colour, or what style his new bike was. He was barely even interested in the whole “new bike” part of the night! But I was. And I have learned that this has to be enough for me.

When they were done with the tune up, and after we had explored a big chunk of the store (consequently, if you need any type of ball, they sell it here!) we headed to the exit only to find it is POURING RAIN outside. We’re talking major buckets from heaven here. I left Lucas in the store and RAN out to the car. Pulled around front and someone was parked in the loading zone…argh! So I double park my car in the middle of the damn parking lot, put the blinkers on, start moving stuff around in the trunk to make room, and wave frantically at Lucas to bring the bike out. Well, I can see him inside, and he isn’t moving toward the outside. I don’t want to leave the car, but it looks like he is upset so I run inside. Turns out he can’t get the kickstand up! Oops! Well, I get the bike all strapped into the car, am soaking wet and laughing so hard! What a story to tell! What a fun night!

I named my bike "Kevin", after the nice gentleman at United Cycle who helped me order her. Lucas doesn't want to name his new bike. Being Lucas' mom has taught me a lot about life and a lot about myself. He is the best lesson and my most favourite human person.

xo

Biker. Dude.

I think he's finally figured it out. Praise Jebus. I thought this day would never come...

We try to go out every night after dinner, at least to the school and back. He has even been practicing putting his bike into the bike racks.

And I jog alongside. I keep teasing him that he's going to have to start picking up the pace so he can come on my runs with me!

With him in his pajamas and crocs, and me in my "hipster lumberjack sparkly-leggings dork", we are quite the roadside attraction. Good times.

later loves

Fat Bottom Girls Will Be Riding Your Way

I've been riding my bike more and more. I even rode it to the Liquor Depot to pick up from fruit beer on the night I took these photos. And I ride it to the mall close to home when I need a couple of groceries, or to pick up something from the library. I have even been riding it to Zumba, which might be a tad crazy considering how like jelly my legs feel afterwards!

And sometimes I ride it just for fun. I took a trip down memory lane, literally and figuratively around the time these photos were taken. I biked to Mom's house and around my old stomping grounds. I used to ride my bike all the time around there by myself. I have never (ever ever) been a fan of big social events, and I would often take off on my bike if all the people were getting to me. By myself, I would ride for hours around the neighbourhood. Exploring new paths and trails, and seeing how long I could avoid the teenagers.

After my parents got divorced, Dad & I used to go riding after supper up and down the hills by our place. There were a lot less houses and roads out there back then (hello Anthony Henday!) so it was a nice, quiet way to spend some time with my Dad and do the thing I loved best!

I used to be all stuck on how I didn't like the style of my bike, and how the placement of the handlebars hurt my hands, and blah blah blah. But now I realize that it's not the type of bike that counts. It's how you use it!

And now I am getting those giant leg muscles that bikers get...oh dear. I need to start taking a yoga class and smooth those bad boys out!

later loves