Sister Trip to Canada, eh?

You may know by now my family is a bit hockey fanatical. Today I am a hockey fan and for that, I blame my sisters. It didn't used to always be that way. But one year I came home from a trip and all my siblings had become devout hockey fans. I trailed behind for a while, but then I jumped on board. Might as well keep the family thing going, eh?

Oilers vs. Blues

So last week, my youngest sister and I had plans to travel to Edmonton, Alberta for a couple NHL games. Began the week by driving from Fairbanks to Anchorage. Beautiful drive! We haven't had much snow yet, so the roads were clear and dry. The sun was high and bright in the clear, blue sky and hardly anyone on the road. All that equals a great road trip. Arrived in Anchorage, ate dinner, then dropped our car off and got a ride to the airport.

beautiful day for a drive

Now.... the thing is we were traveling standby, which means we only get on the plane if there are seats available. When I checked the flight, there were 8 unpurchased seats and 13 standbys. Not so good, BUT we got on! I think we were the last two on the flight. Buckled in and ready to fall asleep (late night flight). Then the captain's voice came over the intercom..... small leak on the ground outside, gonna check it out, folks.

Twenty minutes later, uh we are going to deboard you, cause you'll be more comfortable in the terminal, than on the plane while the mechanics take a look. Yeah, I work at an airport, I know what that means.... either a very long delay or canceled flight.

Three hours later, they finally confirmed that our flight was cancelled. By that time, it was after 3am. So little sister and I slept at the airport for a few hours. Gotta love sleeping with all the lights on and random announcements over the intercom every hour or so. When we got up the next morning, we went and had breakfast, then did a bit of shopping and then hung out at Barnes & Noble for a few hours. I may or may not have fell asleep in the comfy chairs by the fireplace....

Back to the airport in the middle of the afternoon for our new flight. Because of it wasn't a scheduled flight, but one they created because of the cancellation the night before, it wasn't full! We both had a row to ourselves. Praise the Lord, I could get some more sleep!

Arrived in Denver, where we had to spend the night, this time in a hotel. The next morning, we flew the three hour flight to Edmonton. I had intended to read or sleep during that flight. However, my seat companion, some guy from Alberta was quite chatty and we conversed the entire time. Well, more he talked and I listened.

FINALLY, we arrived in Edmonton! Only a day later than planned. And Kate was there to greet us! Then the fun began. :) We picked up our rental car, drove to where we were staying to drop our bags and fresh up and then we went downtown. First on the agenda was dinner. Kate had one of her favorite restaurants she wanted us to go to. It was made better when we walked in and there at the back of the very small restaurant was a table of hockey players. Ha! And they were from the Blues, the team we came into town to see play.

with part of the Blues team

downtown Edmonton

with the Great One - Gretzy

The next couple days consisted of much talking and laughter, driving around town, shopping at the huge malls, eating, later night runs to Tim Hortons and of course Hockey! We talked to a couple friendly security guards at the brand new Rogers Arena the night before the game and they asked if we had been inside. Course we hadn't, cause nothing was happening in there that night and we thought it was closed. But they told us there was an open door and to go on it and check it out. Only the big hall was open, not the rest of the arena, but it was pretty awesome to be able to look around with no one else in there! The next night we were there with thousands of people.

inside the new Rogers Place arena

nothing like giant bobblehead hockey players 8)

cheering for #55 on the Blues

One the way back home, we again spent a night in an airport, but we made both our flights. At the very last minute, which is a little nerve-wracking, but I survived. And then we had the drive home after flying all day. Arrived home at 1130pm Saturday night and I had to work at 4am the next morning. But oh well, so's life.

It was a great trip and one I'll cherish for a long time. Nothing like sister bonding time at the airport and hockey games. :)