We made it!

Well Eric and I and the pigs all made it to Edmonton safe and sound. We actually made it a week ago but I've been too busy unpacking and feeling lazy to write, so this entry will be quite long.

We picked up the U-haul early Thursday morning, and the plan was for Eric to drive the truck, and I would follow behind in our small car. We got some walkie-talkies so we could communicate with each other during the long drive, and we hoped the batteries would last.

With just the two of it took us until after dark to finish packing it up. Then we had to clean the place from top to bottom. Some friends came over with a few beer (which was very welcome after lifting heavy stuff all day) to help us clean walls, shelves, windows etc. It wasn't under well after midnight we were finally done and ready to leave.

The guinea pigs were the last to be put in the car, and as we were taking them out, one of the carrier lids popped open and "Sage" jumped out and shot under a bush. It was dark, cold, damp and muddy and I had to I get down on my knees in the mud and peer under the bushes. I was worried she may have gone underneath the building, but luckily one of our neighbours was up and lent us a flashlight. After crawling around in the mud we finally found her and I was able to crawl in after her and grab her. Other than being a bit muddy and wet, she seemed unharmed, and I was pretty relieved. Lucky it was my red and white pig that jumped out, as her little black friend would have been impossible to see even with the flashlight.

We finally got on the road but it was so late we stopped in Chilliwack at my dad's place for the night. It was so nice to sleep that it wasn't until noon the next day that we got back on the road. With such a late start, we only made it halfway there. We found a pet friendly motel in Valemount and prepared to stay the night. It was a terrible night's sleep for all of us. The bed was not built for people over 5 feet tall and was so hard and lumpy that we may have well slept on the floor. We ended up sleeping in separate beds, but it didn't help much. The pigs didn't sleep well either, they had been set up in a large collapsible pen, and they were so noisy all night, and very restless. Something about that room was just not right, but it was cheap and dry and accepted pets so I guess I can't complain too much.

Saturday we were back on the road and we made it to Edmonton by late afternoon. The batteries on our walkie-talkies died just as we entered the city and I had to follow Eric's U-haul with no idea where I was going. I almost didn't make a few of the turns he made and was so happy when we pulled into the parking lot of our apartment.

We started unloading and it soon became apparent that Eric would have to do most of the unloading on his own. I had injured my foot somewhere along the trip (either loading the truck or crawling around in the mud after my run-away pig) and I could barely walk let alone carry stuff up and down the stairs. Eric used the appliance dolly to move in everything, including the heavy desks and dressers, while I tried to be useful by unpacking boxes. Again it was after midnight by the time we were done unloading.

Sunday we did some unpacking and returned the truck. We also went by the walk-in-clinic to have my foot looked at. X-rays revealed no fractures, though it took 4 days for them to finally tell me that because they wanted the doctor who saw me to give me the results.......Again with these walk-in clinics!! I had to hobble around on crutches for a week, but finally seems to be getting better.

Since we've been here we've had dinner with my cousin who I hadn't seen in nearly 24 years, and went to the last baseball game ever for the Edmonton Trappers. They called the game on account of rain halfway through the first inning, but decided to go ahead with the fireworks. We got soaked but the fireworks display was nice. We've explored the neighbourhood a little and found a few nice pubs, a mechanic, and a few good shops, I'm hoping to see a bit more this upcoming week.

This week-end we drove down to Calgary to visit my sister. She and her husband just finished building their new patio and so they had a big BBQ to break it in. It was great to see my sister again (as well as some of her friends I hadn't seen in awhile), there was lot of food and beer, and we had a lot of fun, but it really made me miss my friends in Vancouver. The party started at 4:00pm and ended at 11:00pm when everyone left all at once to hit the bars. It seemed so odd to end so early when parties back home usually go until 4:00.

Sunday I was back at the walk-in clinic for an ear infection. I can barley hear out of one ear and it's affecting my balance. I feel both drunk and hungover at the same time. It took 2 1/2 hours for them to tell me I likely had an inner ear infection caused by a viruses and I should go home and take some gravol....thanks. Instead we went downtown and had some really great Indian food, and then made the trek back to Edmonton.

Today the infection is in both ears and my throat and neck are both sore. Edmonton is just not agreeing with me yet! It has to get better right? At least I like the new apartment.