Edmonton Day 2

Well, I have two positive things to say about today's weather in Edmonton. 

1...   It didn't snow! 

2... It wasn't southern Ontario's 30 something degree, hot, humid, step outside and          immediately begin to sweat weather.

Our wake up temperature today was about 5c but after a leisurely and tasty breakfast, it had warmed to a balmy 7c with light rain by around 9am. Needless to say, a large part of today was spent indoors, but once the rain subsided, we did manage a 4-ish kilometer walk through the "Old Strathcona" district of the city. 

First stop was a quick one to see the next home of the Edmonton Oilers, now under construction and scheduled to be open for the 2016/17 NHL season.  

"Rogers Place", the new home of the Edmonton Oilers

Of course here are Cam and I standing with "The Great One", outside the current home of the Oilers, Rexall Place.
 

It's interesting to note (at least to me), that the new arena is smack in the middle of downtown Edmonton, near the district known as "City Centre", while the Northlands Coliseum (aka Rexall Place), is in the suburbs.

Given the cold rainy weather, we decided to make our next destination somewhere indoors and headed to the Alberta Aviation Museum, located at the now defunct City Centre Airport (aka Blatchford Field).
This is quite an historic location having been the first "licensed" airport in Canada, also known as "The Gateway to the North", for it's pioneering role for aviation in Northern Canada. The airfield also served a prominent role during WWII as a marshalling field for US aircraft being ferried through to Alaska and on to Russia.

The museum was quaint and provided up close access to numerous historically significant aircraft.

Some children just never grow up!

WWI aircraft sure seemed fragile. Note the light shining through the soft and flimsy covering of the wings.

A replica of a German aircraft under development just as the first world war ended.

Wooden wings and fuselage are unique to this WWII Mosquito 

B25 Mitchell

An F86 Sabre.
A flight simulator was set up adjacent to this aircraft where I managed to crash the plane into trees upon simulated takeoff.

 T33. A long used trainer for Canadian jet pilots.

CF104 Starfighter.
aka "'The Widowmaker"  given it's lack of aerodynamics and propensity to crash with the slightest pilot miscue.
Sometimes described as a rocket with wings added as an afterthought. 

CF100 Canuck

Of course, no trip to Edmonton would be complete without a stop into the West Edmonton Mall. Already over 30 years old, it's still a huge attraction for both young an old. Part shopping emporium, part showplace and carnival midway.  

Argh Mates, can you direct me to the "Eddie Bauer" store?

The Sea Lions were well trained and put on an excellent show.

Riders of the "Mind Bender" roller coaster experience a drop of 127 feet, achieve G-forces of over 5G's and speeds up to 60 mph.

No Thanks! Not for me!

Saturday, we say goodbye to Edmonton and are off to Jasper. We'll be trading bricks, mortar and steel for rocks, trees and water. Nice...