More Adventures in Winnipeg

I know, I know, you're wondering where I've been, right?

Well, I'm still in Canada, actually. I have been having so much fun that I didn't have time or energy to update my blog! So finally, here is an album of my adventures visiting Kym and her family. Like my last host JeanieD, they are residents of Winnipeg in the province of Manitoba.

Further Winnipegian Adventures

As you can see, I had a great time! I'm actually in Toronto Ontario now, but am heading home soon. I'll post more later about my adventures in Toronto.

Birthday Celebrations!

This past week included two birthdays - Felicity's, and Molly's. Here are the three of us ready to celebrate.

Went to look at the Red River rising...

...and my goodness, it is a very big and very high river! There are still some pieces of ice floating north (the Red flows north to empty into Lake Winnipeg, and eventually into Hudson's Bay), and some areas of the city (not where I am staying, thank goodness) are having to put up big sandbag dikes to hold back the water.





We also took some pictures at the Tourist Information building - there are sled dogs, a bison, a huge polar bear, and an inukshuk (a stone figure created by the Inuit in the Arctic):

My new friends in Winnipeg

Here is a picture of me with all my new friends, getting ready for bed. It takes a long time for us to settle down!



But my hostess got another picture after we were finally all asleep:



And once again, Finnegan the cat needs to investigate:



By the way, the snow is almost all gone now, and the big news is about the flooding from the Red River. Don't worry, we live far away from the Red! Yesterday was nice and warm - 18 degrees Celsius, which is the same as 64 Fahrenheit. Winnipeggers are very happy!

And it's on to Winnipeg!

Here I am in Winnipeg, and although it is spring, there is still snow. But yesterday we went to the Assiniboine Park Conservatory, where Mia and I found the most beautiful flowers, in full bloom.



We are having lots of fun (although the giggling late into the night is making some of us a bit sleepy during the day).

I'll post again soon.

Calgarian Adventures

I'm about to hop in my traveling cardboard sarcophagus and head east to Manitoba, but I wanted to do a quick blog highlight first. I've been so busy here. Marcyleecorgan and her dolls really know how to show a girl a good time!

Look at this! Calgary gets tons of snow!



It is really beautiful here.



However, it's always nice to come inside where it's warm. I liked snuggling with this bear from 1905. Samantha might have played with him!



The other day, I got to go back to the Calgary Zoo and see some more animals. Then, we visited Fort Calgary, the start of the city. You can see all my adventures in this ALBUM. Fort Calgary was founded in 1875 where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet. Forts are often constructed at very strategic defensive locations like the meeting of rivers, just like Fort Pitt is at Point State Park in Pittsburgh. Fort Calgary was run by the North West Mounted Police, whom we know today as the Mounties, the national police force of Canada. Here's a picture of a lady Mountie from Calgary in the distinctive red uniform and hat:



I think I might like to be a Mountie.

Anyway, Fort Calgary was built in only six weeks and living conditions weren't very good for the soldiers. It was rebuilt eight years later, then torn down in 1914 when the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway bought the land. Railways sure changed a lot of things. It was really neat to tour the museum and see replicas of the fort offices and other historical Calgary places. I saw a lot of things that reminded me of the historical American Girls' collections! See if you can spot them all in the album.

On my last night in Calgary, marcyleecorgan and I read this amazing book:



It had really cool photos of all kinds of Arctic animals, which you can see HERE.

I've really enjoyed my time in snowy Calgary. Thanks to all the dolls here and to marcyleecorgan and her husband for making it such a great trip!

Now, back to the box....

First stop: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Ungh, it felt like I'd been in that box for ages! Fortunately I was in some kind of suspended animation, but still, it lasted way too long. All the while, I could hear the UPS delivery people gossiping about some wild party the Calgarian dolls had started without me.



Sadly, it was all true. You can read about their carryings-on here: The Sadie Preparation Album. Fortunately, they'd sobered up and come to their senses by the time I arrived.



Well, mostly sobered up. It looks like Jess is pulling someone's hair there. Of course, that's just like a Jess doll for you; they're all the same. (Shhh, don't tell Angry Jess I said that). Anyway, the dolls were very welcoming and friendly, especially Josefina: My Calgarian Arrival Album.

After I got settled in, my hostess marcyleecorgan took me along for Take Your Doll to Work Day. She works at the Calgary Zoo, which must totally be one of the most awesomest jobs in the whole world! Look at what she showed me first!



No polar bears were harmed in the making of this photo; that is a sculpture. But they are SO CUTE!!!! However, they are almost rivaled in Cuteness by this Red Panda:



AHHHH! So adorable! I asked marcyleecorgan if they'd make good pets, but she just smiled and pointed at their really sharp claws. Hmmm, I guess not. I learned that Red Pandas are unique to certain areas of the Far East. While they aren't endangered like my polar bears are, the Red Panda is considered to be a vulnerable species because their habitat is being encroached upon by humans. That made me really sad and kind of angry at people. The Red Panda isn't a bear like the Giant Panda of China is. Red Pandas are more active at night, and they live in trees. They drink by getting their paw all wet and then licking it off, and they clean themselves like raccoons do. Their natural predators are snow leopards and martens, and people. People! Why would anyone want to hurt a Red Panda? I wish I could keep them all safe. Sweet little Red Pandas, I love you.

We saw many other cool animals that day: Take Your Doll to Work Day Album. I'm so glad marcyleecorgan took me along! Oh hey, can you find me here?



Just call me Joey! Hee hee. I can't wait to see what else is in store for me in Calgary!