Fort Edmonton Park 2013

A "back-in-time" visit to Fort Edmonton (Park) with Paul and Jackie. 

Scenes in a miniature train set near the train station:

 An old Alberta license plate on a vintage vehicle:

 

 

 

The friendly conductor explains a bit about the steam train that takes us to the Fort:

(Right: Historically accurate? )

Inside the Fort, Paul examined a wolf pelt.  But again, we were not allowed to touch the authentic beaver felt hat.

The Rowand house has lovely roof detailing.  And, was revealed to us by an interpreter, glass windows that were awful at keeping in the heat -- workers lodgings used thin animal skins to cover their windows which kept in the heat and allowed for some light.

Outside the Fort, a native woman cooked bannock on the fire and showed us her beadwork. 

We took a lunch break at the bakery.  Their watermelon fudge certainly was cute to look at, but we didn't try the taste. 

Near the Kenneth McDonald House, a lady "baked" cookies on the fire. 

They weren't quite ready for tasting, so Paul took a break in a jail cell. 

 

Inside the Kenneth McDonald House an pretty bead worked wall decoration looks a little like a scary face. 

Right: Cookies are ready - they are blackened versions of ginger and molasses.  Very crispy as to be expected. 

Maps from the Dominion Land Office of the Edmonton area at that time:

(Left: The puppy has moved!) 

Right: Technicolour Dad's soft drinks compete with Coco Cola on the Masonic Hall's main floor (concession area).  This is another good rest stop with (fast) food and facilities.

Left: Something racy at the Arcade.  Neither Paul, Jackie nor I decide to try it out. 

Not bothered by the heat, I visit the W.Ramsay Greenhouse.  Pretty vintage packages of flower seeds makes me dream of old-fashioned gardens. 

 (Right: Royal Hibou is not pleased.)

 
 Left: Support local businesses! 

The Capitol Theatre's 4D presentation of the history of Fort Edmonton included "snow" falling from the sky.  The air conditioning was nice too. 

We head back to the station by foot to see carnival.  Unfortunately, since it was so late in the day, Paul and Jackie were refused admission on the Ferris wheel. 

 

I further explored the grounds, laughing at the signs for a "India Rubber Man" and "Snake Charmer."  There were two versions of the strong-man ring the bell game, and I figured I might do well on the little one... but no one was attending it. 

The kids carousel had the most charming animals including a cat, a dragon, a giraffe and frogs. 

The adults version had stately steeds. 

 

 

But what stood out were the art pieces at the top, colourfully, depicting life at the Fort:

The gift shop ends our visit.  I manage to not buy the "CSI Alberta: The Secrets of Skulls and Skeletons".