PicaJet Blog

It’s all over for another year in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  The race has been run - the IndyCar race, that is, since Champ Car merged with the Indy League earlier this year.  It was the debut IRL race for Edmonton, and by all accounts, it was a success.  Especially for at least one driver.

The big winner?  Scott Dixon, of New Zealand (It was Scott Dixon’s 5th win for 2008.)  He was followed by “Dancing With the Stars” champ, Helio Castroneves, then Justin Wilson, and finally, Canadian Champ Car driver, Paul Tracy, who had fought his way up from  his 16th  starting position.

Read on . . .

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There I sat, minding my own business, reading my book when the most amazing thing happened.  I gasped and shrieked as a storm erupted from the ceiling above my head.  Tiny ice pellets fell all over me.  What was this?  I was stunned because I was sitting in the middle of a sleet storm while ON BOARD an Air Canada plane. 

I felt it was worth mentioning to Air Canada’s customer service.  How did I do it?  Did I get any reaction?  What I did may be of help to you in your next encounter with Air Canada customer service following a less than exemplary Air Canada flight.  Read on . . .

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If you have never taken the train, or you haven’t ridden the rails in some time, then check out the nearest Amtrak station.  Especially when exploring a new city. That’s the Philadelphia Amtrak station showing above.

With the high cost of rental cars, gasoline, insurance, and with the irritation of battling traffic in a strange city, travel by Amtrak train is like a gift from heaven.

My husband and I have just decided to include at least one Amtrak day trip while traveling, and we are very glad we did.  We took the Amtrak between New York City and Philadelphia, and loved the trip.

Read on . . .

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I love my province, and I love our two biggest cities: Edmonton and Calgary.  But I hate the traffic congestion.  Monday, I went to Calgary for a Photoshop seminar.  Arriving at 5 PM was my first mistake; my second mistake was staying on the Deerfoot Trail.

The drive was perfectly normal.  3 hours from the west side of Edmonton to the edge of Calgary.  What happened after that was, in a word, ridiculous.

Read this if you want some good advice when traveling to Calgary.

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Harley Davidson

Albertans have an extreme passion - they love their wheels.

Car wheels, motorcycle wheels, train wheels, farm machinery wheels - as long as it rolls - Albertans will pay tribute.

Here is a quick look at just a few of the events and museums in the province that might be intriguing to all those wheel fanatics out there.

• Reynolds-Alberta Museum (Wetaskiwin)
• Rockin’ August Show ‘n Shine (St. Albert - This 50s-themed event is a blast and great fun for the whole family.)
• Monster Madness Castrol Raceway (Edmonton)
• Rexall Edmonton Indy
• Northern Mopars “Year of the Challenger” (Calgary)
• Mainstreet Cruisers Show ‘n Shine (Edmonton)
• Alberta Railway Museum (Edmonton - The museum is just past Namao and just off Highway 37)
• Wetaskiwin Airshow (Well, planes have wheels, too)
• There’s even a Show ‘N Shine for Star Trek fans held in Vulcan, Alberta. (Comes complete with a demolition derby and antique trailer pulls - no word on whether Spock attends, though.)
• Northwest Cruise Calendar (complete list for Alberta and area car shows)

Wishing you safe and happy travels,
Sheree Zielke

You are welcome to comment.  Let me know if my blog has helped you.  Or add a comment if you feel I have missed an important point.  I don’t mind correction.  A “dig” on a social networking site would be appreciated, too.  Just use the handy links below.  Subscribe to the Picajet Blog to receive notices of replies to your comments, and new blog postings.) 

Monster truck jumps cars
I am a huge fan of both monster trucks, and my new little Fuji F50 12MG compact digital camera.

I sat at the top of the stands, opted for the Top 3 shots instead of a single shot, set my ISO to 200, chose a medium aperture, pre-focused on the spot where I thought the truck would be, and fired away.

Great jobs done by both “Sheer Insanity” (the truck), and my wonderful tiny camera. Gotta love ‘em.

Caught the monster truck show, recently, at the Rainmakers Rodeo held in St. Albert, a city just a few minutes drive from my home of Edmonton, Alberta.

Cheers,
Sheree Zielke

Look Ma, No Hands!

As Edmonton, Alberta prepares for its first Edmonton Indy this July 24-26, here’s a look back at some of the entertainment provided at the city’s last Grand Prix events.

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Horses and Wagon

Alberta embraces the simpler life, and some farms (like Sprout Farms) offer wooden wagon rides pulled by draft horses.   It’s one way to spend a summer day in Alberta, but the Edmonton area has so much more to offer.  Here are some suggestions of things to do, when you travel to Alberta’s capital city, Edmonton.

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Rocky Mountain Sheep

Alberta is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I should know. I live here. Yes, I travel to other parts of the world, and I do so frequently; I would go nuts if I didn’t. But I love traveling in Alberta, too.

Alberta is home to the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Two of the most visited ski towns are located here, too: Jasper and Banff.

Travelers along the mountain highways will often be treated to the sight of flocks Rocky Mountain sheep (yes, they look like goats - but they are sheep).

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The stingray deaths at the Calgary Zoo have continued to baffle authorities.  The cownosed rays began dying en masse this past Sunday in a new exhibit that opened just a few months ago, in mid-February.  Toxins or poisons are suspected in the rays’ deaths although recent water tests have come up as clean.  Zoo veterinarians have eliminated the possibility of moisture lotions or sunblock creams as the source of any contamination of the touch pools.

As sad as the stingray deaths are, the Calgary’s Zoo, Botanical Garden, and Prehistoric Park, with over 290 species of animals, has so much more to offer its patrons.  Opened in 1929, The Calgary Zoo celebrates its 80^th birthday next year.

If you’re planning a trip to western Canada, be sure to include the Calgary Zoo in your plans.  And here’s why you should do that . . .

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