Hey Buddy! You’re in the way!

LeDuc Walmart & Cree River Casino, May 17 & 18, 2014 – LeDuc & Enoch, Alberta, Canada

StarTrek. In college I remember waiting for that first episode to appear with all my dorm dwellers. Weekly, we waited in anticipation for each new episode. So what better way to pay homage to the StarTrek francise than to visit Vulcan, the StarTrek capital of Canada?

The Adventure begins here at the Vulcan Visitor Centre.

Inside we had to try out the various props.

Outside was a replica of FX6-1995-A and another StarTrek crew picture opportunity.

They also had a T-shirt that I wish was in my size. It read “Live Long and Collect Your Pension”.

For a country that embraces the oil industry so heartily there sure are a lot of alternative energy displays.

With our Trekkie fantasies fulfilled it’s time to hit the road again. Around 5pm we pull into the Red Deer visitor centre only to find they just closed. We need a break so we take a walk and find out there is a nice park with a lake attached to the visitor centre and a combination dude ranch/restaurant. EJ spots a black rabbit hopping around and goes back to get the camera.

By the time the camera is ready, the rabbit is just laying there doing nothing. Did it expire? Is it just playing possum? Finally it raised its head up and we both breathed a sigh of relief.

We arrive late at the Walmart in LeDuc and after a walk we settle in for the evening. About 1:30 in the morning, Frank is awakened by the sounds of leaf blowers, shovels scraping pavement, diesel engines and dump trucks. I peak out the windows and see that we are surrounded by heavy equipment starting to work on the very parking area on which we are sitting. Panic ensues and we scramble around getting Big Guy and the Element ready to move.

So here we are at 1:45 in the morning driving towards Edmonton looking for another place to park. Fortunately we had also scoped out an alternative camp spot. With information entered into the GPS here we are driving in the dark in a strange city putting in another 35 miles.

We arrive at the Cree River Casino in Enoch, just west of Edmonton. First we pull into the parking lot only to find signs all over saying “No heavy vehicle parking”. We’re pretty sure that means us. So we look around and see another RV parked in a grassy field nearby. Slowly we pull into the field trying to feel if it is soft and we are in danger of sinking. But it seems solid and at about 2:30 am we bed down for the second time that night.

We check out the casino the next morning and get our players cards. EJ’s luck turns for the better and she quits while she is ahead.

We visited the West Edmonton Mall last time we were here but Frank wasn’t feeling too good so we decide to it again. Plus we need a little exercise. West Edmonton Mall is the largest mall in Canada. Inside are not only stores, but pirate ships, a beach complete with waves, an Imax theater, and more.

Later that afternoon, we take a drive to Devon hoping to see the botanical gardens, but we arrive too late to make the admission fee worthwhile. But Frank did spot this cool car. It’s a ‘49 Merc I think.

The driver had stopped to pick up this sweet young thang!

Our stay at the River Cree was quite nice. We got to park next to the Marriot, use their WiFi, drink their Starbucks and EJ went back to the slots and won enough to finance our trip from the casino to the filling station. Life is good!