Archive for the ‘Canada’ Category
Monday, September 15th, 2008
Some of us call it urban blight, some of us call it street soul, some of us call it a shame, while others of us simply call it, “beautiful.”
Is there a city or town in the world that doesn’t sport its share of graffiti? Our city in central Alberta is no different. And while our city has sent out its graffiti-removal brigade, thank goodness the cleaning squad hasn’t found all of it. This artwork, with its nasty invectives and racial slurs, especially viewed against the backdrop of the setting sun, can be very intriguing.
Read on . . .
(more…)
Tags:abandoned buildings, edmonton alberta, Graffiti, homeless, inner city art, Street Art, street soul, urban blight
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Art Galleries, Canada, Graffiti, Street Art, Travel photography, Variety | Comments Closed
Friday, August 22nd, 2008
I felt a pang, no, a pain, that swept through me in an instant as I beheld the old decrepit building with its weathered facade and its old-fashioned architectural detals. The pain was one of nostalgia, a yearning of things long gone, things that made my childhood magical, things that most children will never understand in today’s fast food world.
Except for my grandkids.
As long as I can walk and talk, as long as I can get into a car, and pack them along with me, my grandchildren will be introduced to my past, my heritage — a heritage in danger of disappearing altogether under the pressures of weather, urban sprawl, industry, and . . . time.
Read on . . .
(more…)
Tags:abandoned buildings, Alberta, alberta heritage, farm houses, highway trips in Canada, northern Alberta, prairie farm history, preserving our heritage, rural landscapes, teaching grandkids, travel with children
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Canada, Disappearing Heritage, Family Vacations, Travel Destinations, Travel with kids | 2 Comments »
Monday, July 28th, 2008
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 . . .
(more…)
Tags:danica patrick edmonton, edmonton alberta indycar race, Gene Simmons, paul tracy indycar edmonton, rexall edmonton indycar 2008, scott dixon fifth win 2008, who won the Edmonton IndyCar race
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Canada, Car shows, Family Vacations, Sports | Comments Closed
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
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 . . .
(more…)
Tags:air canada complaints, air canada customer service, how to complain about a bad flight
Posted in Airline Travel, Canada, Travel - General Advice, Travel tips | 1 Comment »
Thursday, July 10th, 2008
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 . . .
(more…)
Tags:Amtrak train options, catching a train in the United States, taking a trip on Amtrak, travel by train across North America
Posted in Adventure Travel, Canada, Family Vacations, Train Travel, Travel - General Advice, Travel photography, Travel tips, Travel with kids, United States, Variety | Comments Closed
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008
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.
(more…)
Tags:calgary alberta, deerfoot trail, traffic conditions alberta, traffic congestion calgary, traveling alberta highways
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Canada, Family Vacations, Travel - General Advice, Travel Destinations, Travel safety, Travel with kids | No Comments »
Monday, June 9th, 2008
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.
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.)
Tags:alberta car shows, rexall edmonton indy, rock n august st albert, show n shine alberta
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Canada, Car shows, Sports, Tourist attractions, Variety | Comments Closed
Monday, May 26th, 2008
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
Tags:airborne, Alberta, edmonton, extreme sports, jumping cars, monster trucks, st. alberta rainmakers rodeo, tricks
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Canada, Digital Cameras, Family Vacations, New Technology, Photography tips, Sports | No Comments »
Thursday, May 22nd, 2008
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.
(more…)
Tags:Alberta, dangerous tricks, dirt bikes, edmonton indy, extreme sports, grand prix, motorbike trick riding
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Canada, Family Vacations, Sports, Tourist attractions | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
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.
(more…)
Tags:Alberta, alberta farms, edmonton, grain elevators, horse and wagons, international airport, north saskatchewan river, northlands, st. alberta, valley zoo
Posted in Adventure Travel, Alberta, Budget Travel, Canada, Family Vacations, Tourist attractions, Travel with kids, Variety, Zoos | Comments Closed
