Kevin's Ramblings…

As I’ve written, my friends from Idaho are visiting, they arrived mid-afternoon last Thursday.

We hit up the Calgary Stampeders game Thursday evening, was a very high scoring game, but despite the score, I still find CFL football boring. Oh well.

We drove down to Waterton National Park in SW Alberta on Friday and toured around the park and the town of Waterton. We were disappointed when the Mexican restaurant was closed on our trip home. I made a tri tip roast in my smoker and it turned out really well, was very tasty and we gobbled it up.

On Saturday, we had an in town day. Breakfast at Stacked, one of my favourite places, lunch in the Calgary Tower, amazing 360° views from the restaurant.

We had a late start today and headed to Drumheller to the Royal Tyrrell Museum. I had previously been in April a few years ago and it was quiet, today it was packed to the rafters so it was harder to see exhibits and what not, but still a good time.

I’m BBQing New York strips tonight for dinner. Gotta get going on that soon.

We are heading to Banff tomorrow and the Calgary Stampede on Tuesday and then they are heading home to Idaho on Wednesday and life will return to normal for all of us. This is their first trip to Alberta and I hope they are having a good time.

I’m heading back to Idaho in September so that’ll be fun as well.

My friends from Idaho arrived yesterday just before 3pm. We had an early dinner at Montana’s restaurant, all-u-can eat ribs was the order of the day. If you have a Montana’s near you, their ribs are excellent and it’s Rib Fest all summer so all you can eat is $32 or so, not a bad deal.

We are heading to Monki for breakfast. Great food there for sure. The roasted tomato soup is absolutely amazing, they pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich. Not really a breakfast item, but that’s ok with me. It’s amazing.

We will then hit up the Calgary Farmers Market and I’m sure we’ll make some purchases. I think I’ll get some BC cherries.

We’ll stop in High River on route to Waterton to pick up my sister in law then head South. I was in Waterton about a month ago, it was very quiet, I’m sure it’ll be much busier today.

On the way home, we’ll stop for a late lunch at the Twin Butte Country General Store which has an excellent Mexican restaurant attached to it. The Mexican lasagna is amazing, so is the guacamole.

One last stop at Backcountry Butchers in Cowley Alberta and we’ll head North to drop my sister in law off and then a late dinner of a smoked tri tip roast.

Should be a good day to travel and tour.

My smoker, a brand new Pit Boss from Airdrie Lawn and Leisure was delivered Saturday evening. I fired it up to season it on Sunday night. It was ready to go.

Yesterday, I finally used it for the first time. I thawed two racks of ribs in the kitchen sink. Now, unfortunately, my favourite puppy, Apollo, got one of those racks and he ate it. That was Tuesday afternoon. We did a trip to the vet to ensure he’d be ok and he is.

So, yesterday, I put my remaining rack on the smoker around 6pm, meaning they’d be done around 11pm.

I added BBQ sauce to them around 1030pm and took them off of the smoker just before 11. OMG were they ever good. I was very impressed with myself.

One rack wasn’t quite enough, I wish I had that second rack, but for a first time smoke, I was incredibly pleased with the outcome.

I don’t know why I’ve held off for so long on getting myself a smoker, but now that I have one, I’ve got a new way to make delicious food.

I was at the Calgary Farmers Market yesterday and purchased a couple of items. One is a tomahawk steak that I’m going to smoke next week, it was the most expensive food purchase I’ve ever made, $102, for a steak. I may be insane.

The other item was a tri tip roast that I’m planning on smoking on Friday evening with my friends from Idaho. I’m looking forward to it, it should be delicious.

Here’s to having some fun with the smoker over the weeks and months to come.

I have been thinking about buying an ebike for ages now, well, I finally did yesterday.

There is a mall just North of Calgary called New Horizons and they have a few ebike stores. I got this for a good price and figured, what the hell. So, I went for it.

It’s got a top speed of 35kph and a range of about 100km. I also purchased a lock and helmet. I’m looking forward to getting out on it.

Today was not ideal, it was cloudy and rainy almost all day. The weather this week should be better for riding.

Well, I’ve been off work, “retired” for a month now. I’m enjoying myself. I’m keeping busy for the most part, the days zip by. I’m not sleeping well at night, but I nap once or twice and occasionally three times during the day to get my required sleep. It’s not bad.

Today, for instance, I was up early, around 3am. I went back to bed around 8am and slept until after 10am. I did a bunch of running around and had to take Apollo to the vet. I had an after dinner nap for 3+ hours, which is the primary reason why I’m awake at nearly 1230am.

I’ll probably be up for another hour or so, until I actually feel tired. I’ll sleep a few hours and then will get up, have some coffee and go for a nap.

The process repeats itself.

That’s been the basic day for the last month. It’s not bad I suppose.

I purchased an ebike yesterday, I’m hoping the weather cooperates tomorrow so I can get out on it. I purchased a bike helmet and a locking system for it for the bike lockup here in the building I’m living in. I got a good deal on a good bike.

Today is Canada Day. Happy birthday Canada.

I have been driving a 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander since just before Christmas last year. I’m very impressed with it, it’s a great vehicle. My payments are reasonable, $430 a month.

As I’ve written, I’m getting a 2026 Ford Bronco on August 14. I’ll be paying for it with cash.

I’ve decided that I’m NOT going to have two vehicles at the same time. It doesn’t really make sense. I was thinking of using the Outlander as my dog car, but now I think I’ll get rid of it and just use the Bronco for everyday use.

I won’t be able to sell the Outlander for anywhere near what I owe on it, so I’m going to allow it to be repossessed sometime in August or perhaps September. In Alberta, it’s a sue or seize Province so, once it’s seized, they can’t sue me. It’ll affect my credit rating, but, that means little as I don’t have good credit anyway. I recently filed a Consumer Proposal to erase my credit card debt and this’ll have little effect.

I’ll only have to ensure one vehicle and I’ll have no payments. Financially, it’s a good decision.

I’ll transfer the plate over to the Bronco, it’s a custom plate, KDARCY, so, very easy to remember. I am still thankful for the dealer who was able to get me financing when no one else could. It’s been a good vehicle, although I’ve only had it a short while. Now that it’s out of warranty, I’m sure I’d have some maintenance coming up. I was going to get new tires and a remote starter installed, but I’ll cancel that today. No sense in spending any other money, other than gas for now.

Onto my next adventure.

As I’ve written, I have visitors from Idaho coming this week, they arrive sometime on Thursday afternoon.

Well do a mini driving tour of Calgary after they get settled in their guest suite here at the apartment complex. Each building has two guest suites which are available for $90 per night, which is a better deal than you’ll get at any hotel in the area. They are really nice suites, perfect for two people.

We are going to the Calgary Stampeders game on Thursday evening. I’m not huge on CFL football, but it should be fun. The weather forecast isn’t the greatest, I’ve ordered a rain suit from Amazon which arrives today. I’ll be dry anyway. We’ll take the train to the game. I’m guessing it’s a 7pm start, so we’ll eat dinner at the game. Food at McMahon Stadium was good the last time I was there which is probably about 12 years ago now.

We are heading to Waterton National Park on Friday after having breakfast in High River after we pick up my sister in law. National parks are free right now, so that’s a good thing. We are having breakfast at a new place I’ve recently discovered, Monki which is right across from the Calgary Farmers Market. After breakfast we’ll go to the market then head south. We’ll stop on the way back from Waterton at the Twin Butte Country General Store which has an excellent Mexican restaurant attached and we’ll also stop in Cowley Alberta at Backcountry Butchers for dinner meat.

Saturday will be a Calgary day, no definitive plans. It’s the 4th of July so we’ll celebrate America’s birthday, we’ll be BBQing hot dogs and I’m making macaroni and tuna salad. I think we’ll watch Independence Day as well.

On Sunday, we are heading to Drumheller and visiting the dinosaur museum.

Monday is Banff Alberta. We’ll take the gondola to the top of the mountain, weather permitting, possibly having lunch up there. We’ll tour around Banff for the day.

We are hitting up the Calgary Stampede on Tuesday to wrap up their visit to Alberta.

They head south Wednesday morning after breakfast.

I’m sure it’ll be a whirlwind trip and it’ll be fun. I haven’t seen them in a few years so it’ll be great to catch up.

Not a lot, really.

I’ve been buying some much needed stuff for the apartment. A coat rack for the entry way, I think it’s being delivered today. It’s from Amazon.

I bought a bread maker, it’s being delivered today. I can almost smell the fresh bread already. I also ordered a 5kg bag of flour and bread machine yeast, a container for said flour as well and a second jug for cold coffee to make iced coffee.

I’m washing some t-shirts and underwear that were delivered Saturday. I try not to wear clothing until it’s been washed, who knows what it goes through during the manufacturing process.

The apartment is, slowly, becoming a home and it’s about time, I’ve lived here over 4 months now.

I just have some finishing touches.

I’m up stupid early this morning and am currently watching Sweeney Todd with Johnny Depp. It’s a disturbing movie, I saw it years ago when an ex-girlfriend had me watch it. Good movie.

Nothing on my agenda for the day today I don’t think. Enjoy your Monday.

As I have written, my natural gas BBQ was delivered over a month ago and now that the natural gas issue in the building has been resolved, I can BBQ to my hearts content. It’s a great BBQ, heats up quickly and get to up to 800°F in no time at all. Best of all, since it’s natural gas, I don’t have to worry about running out of fuel and I’ll never have to carry a heavy propane tank.

Well, yesterday, Airdrie Lawn and Leisure delivered my new Pit Boss smoker. My patio is now full.

I’m going to be smoking ribs tomorrow and I’m looking forward to them. I plan on smoking a turkey at Christmas time, so I have a few months to perfect my craft.

I’ve read that smoked chili is excellent as well so I’ll be trying that. Brisket, ribs, chicken, maybe I’ll try a tomahawk steak as well.

The world is my oyster. I won’t be smoking oysters though, they are gross.

June has been a very rainy month, that’s for sure.

Typical, Calgary’s rainy season starts about now and that’s for 3-4 weeks, it always rains during Stampede, then it’s dry as a bone and doesn’t rain again until the rain is that annoying white stuff in October.

I suppose we can use it. Maybe the farmers need it? Maybe it’ll help with forest fire season? Maybe.

I didn’t care for it, I get wet when I go outside and so do the dogs. Now, we probably won’t melt but I don’t particularly like getting wet and I hate the wet dog smell as well.

So, for now we’ve just been outside to pee. Well, the dogs peed, I peed inside. We will wait going to the dog park to poop (again, I poop inside), hopefully the active rain will taper off.

I’m supposed to go watch a baseball game this morning, I’m unsure of time and location though. I think 10am and hopefully it’ll clear by then and the ground won’t be overly saturated so that the game doesn’t get played.

Guess we’ll see.