My wife and I just got back from 
Northern Alberta. It was a nice -- but 
eventful -- trip. The trip up to the 
Peace River area took three days 
because of a bad accident south of 
Grande Prairie. Traffic was stopped 
for almost 12 hours. It was -40C 
(which is pretty much -40F) and we 
waited for a bit, but neither of us 
felt like doing the "how much gas do 
we have left" math while trying to 
keep warm. So we went back to Grande 
Cache (an old coal mining town) and 
spent a lovely evening there.

The temperature remained close to -40 
until the last day we were up there. 
We stayed with my wife's parents, 
visited my brother (highlight of the 
trip -- he re-finished a 1960s 
credenza-like cabinet stereo and it is 
amazing!), and hung out with an old 
friend. Great trip. 

The funny thing is that you actually 
do get used to the cold weathher. When 
it warmed up to -20-something, it felt 
warm out. At home, -20 feels insanely 
cold!

On the way home, we spent a night in 
Jasper. If you ever go there, Cassio's 
restaurant is worth a visit. My wife 
asked them to turn down the overhead 
lights because they were bothering her 
eyes, and suddenly we were in an 
old-school candlelit restaurant. So 
nice. No one complained.

She had the steak (I had a few bites 
and I highly recommend it). I had the 
Bolognese Penne. It could use a bit 
more sauce. We added some of the 
veggies (green and red peppers, 
onions, etc.) from the steak dinner to 
the pasta and that made it much 
better. So did the beer. ;)

Today, on the last leg of the trip, we 
stopped in Blue River. It's one of my 
favourite places. When there's no 
traffic, there's absolutely no sound 
there. It's so quiet. I got out of the 
car and promptly slipped on some ice. 
Full out, feet in the air, smack down 
on the ground. I don't recommend that. 
The palm of my left hand is still numb 
6 hours later. I'm fine. Just 
irritated with myself.

When we got home, there was about a 
foot of snow across the driveway. 
Sigh. It took a while to clear. Now 
I'm sitting in my chair, with my numb 
hand, typing away and enjoying a 
drink.

Life is good.