The first one was to Cookies by George.
These suckers are easily
the best cookies in the world.
The Edmonton airport sent us coupons in the mail, and one of them was for the Cookies by George in the main terminal - buy 6 cookies, get 6 free. You better believe I was all over that! Mmm, those gluten-free chocolate macaroons
We continued on to our destination:
The Fantasyland Hotel at
West Edmonton Mall;
the largest mall in North America.
Originally built in 1981, it held the title
of World's Largest Mall until 2004.
This trip report just got weird for me. I'll be sure to do a trip report next time I go to Winnipeg, just for you haha.
But... it's still just a mall.
Yes there are some interesting things
in it here and there...
But it's a mall.
So, when I was a kid I was obsessed with the idea of the WEM. I lived on the other side of the country, out in the Maritimes, but whenever my parents would ask me about family trips, I never once asked for Disney - nope, I was the weird kid who asked to go to Edmonton to visit the mall
. I remember the first time I went there (when I was 20) I was practically jumping up and down with excitement. Then, when I moved to Edmonton when I was 22 I took a job at the mall just so I could be there all the time...these days I'm lucky if I go there twice a year. I'm so over it haha.
Really, am I not wonderful?
Tell me I am and.... nothing.
Too easy of a cop out for bonus points.
But tell me I'm amazing and you'll get some.
You're amazing, but only because you're from the same city as my fiance
I walked past the food court
and took a quick, crappy photo.
That food court looks so nice now! It was completely re-done not too long ago, so for awhile you would sit down to eat there, look up and see wires and stuff hanging out of the ceiling...
The large body of water in the water park
is a wave pool.
Ugh. This is where I worked for 6 months. Word of advice - don't work at a waterpark.
After our snack,
we stopped in the town of Edson
Of course, everyone stops in Edson on the way to Jasper. They have a Wendy's!
After getting some gas in Hinton,
(where a line-up of cars soon formed.)
we continued on our way.
I hope you watched your speed going through Hinton, they love their photo radar in that town...not that I'm speaking from experience or anything...
We arrived in Jasper at ten after five in the afternoon.
Or is that early evening by then?
Bonus points for giving me your opinion.
I'm an old person, if I had it my way I'd eat supper at 5pm and be in bed by 9pm every night. So 5:10 = early evening.
Moments later, we arrived at our destination,
Bear Hill Lodge
I've never heard of this place. I guess most of my recent trips to Jasper have been just driving through though, it's been awhile since we've stayed there. I just looked it up on a map - great location!
Let me know where you stand
and I'll toss you a few bonus points.
I like the green chairs! And the wood burning fireplace. And the walls. Ugh, fine - I'm originally a small town girl and this kind of looks like places some of my family members actually live (except obviously they have actual bedrooms).
Ruby made a point of going into...
Every. Single. Gift shop.
Oh God. There's so many!
And Jasper has a lot of gift shops.
No kidding!
Eventually we stumbled on a tiny place
called Famoso.
I rave about this place to anyone who will listen! There's all kinds of them here in Edmonton, and they are by far my favourite pizza. The BBQ chicken pizza is amazing. And oh my God - the prosciutto wrapped mozza balls - go on a Wednesday night and they are only $2 each. Oh, and the banana-nutella dessert pizza...Damn it! Now I want Famoso!
Ruby had a Margherita while I settled on
ham, mushroom and sun-dried tomatoes.
(And Ruby had her usual, a red wine Sangria
while I decided to just have a Limoncello.
Sue me for not drinking an alcoholic beverage.
I didn’t feel like it.)
Their Rossini's are pretty fantastic as well. And they used to have this cocktail with cucumbers in it - I've ordered pitchers of that before....
The whole thing with the elk is hilarious. I'm surprised you didn't mention stopping shortly after you entered the National Park to see the mountain goats. They love to climb those rocks just past the Pocahontas Cabins, and there's always a bunch of vehicles pulled over on the side of the road to take pictures of them.
1. Sure. Why not. It's a trend.
What time do we get up?
You guys sleep in! Jasper is a quiet little town, and you managed to sleep until 8:30am.
2. Do we go in a gift shop?
Ha! Of course you do, they are unavoidable in Jasper.
3. We watch a movie.
In a theater? On the TV? On the iPad?
I've never actually been to the movie theater in Jasper, but I know they have one. I'm going to say you went there.
4. Elk. We see more.
In town or out?
Those things are everywhere. I'll say both in town and out.
5. Haven't asked this for a while.
Do I get asked for directions?
Of course I do.
How many times?
I'll narrow it down.
Less than five times.
Three. At least one of those people were driving one of those rental RV's that you see everywhere.
6. How do I get revenge
on that elk?
You barmp your car horn.
7. Are these chapters too long?
Nah, they're fine.
Did you see it?
I hope not!
Because I didn't do one this round.
But... for bonus points.
How hard did you try to find
something anyway???
And, just for looking...
Bonus photo for ya:
Keep on rollin' everyone.
This GIF makes me laugh every time. That poor guy!
. So I wanted to make sure I get on here to tell you HI
and wish you a wonderful celebration with Kay. She's one lucky girl.... Dad who takes her on trips and she had the best month to have a b-day. Can't wait to here about your adventures and you DISmeet. I have to be honest and say I'm a little jealous that I can't magically join you, Allison and Liesa 
I regret not being able to stop by the Ditch and hang out with them. But I was glad that I can say that the famous Steppesister was the first person from here I got to MIRL
