3 Gal Pals n' Al take on Calgary!

The Smuh family semi-swiftly loaded the car and departed from the 1970's neighbourhood they had been lodging at for the past 3 nights. After many hugs with the official cutest elderly couple alive, the Smuhs took off to collect Desaree and begin their journey home.

As they made their way across the South of Calgary, they reflected on highlights of their weekend. June thought happily of the efficiency with which her and Al had changed the flat tire on their way to Alberta while their helpful daughter called mildly humorous comments out the window. Al hummed under his breath as he remembered the thrill of seeing Neil Diamond in concert for the 5th fabulous time- Sweet Caroline never gets old. Melissa mentally high-fived herself for successfully passing off her cold (or possibly jaundice) as simply being chilly and tired to her very cautious great aunt and uncle.

After a quick but necessary direction refresher call, the Smuhs rolled up in their very flashy Grand Marquis to collect Red. After a semi-emotional (not really that emotional) goodbye with the gracious (not really that gracious) host Jamie, Des piled herself and a multitude of textbooks into the back with Mel. Now it was time for a giggly reflection of their Calgary adventures.

Desaree recalled on the not-so-rare but quite awkward experience of being bellowed at in a posh store in regards to her coppery locks whilst Melissa reflected on how fun it was to shop with a hunch back- her outrageous school bag, fondly referred to as the Sad Sack. Despite those two setbacks, shopping was a huge, tax-free success.

The girls smiled warmly as they thought back to their delicious snails-pace italian meal and their dashed plans for a night of dancing due to overstuffed stomachs. They recalled how their night had not ended quite yet, as they had made their way to a favourite martini bar for a night of double drinks and plotting. A surprise run-in with an old friend and the privilege of witnessing the most terrifying window display ever had rounded out their evening. The gals had fondly reminisced as they walked by old favourite shops, including one Spy City (with a v. inconspicuous white limo donning a 'Spy City' decal across the side) and 100% Legit: need we say anymore about our beloved hip-hop clothing tailor?

The 3 gal pals n' Al made their way out of Calgary with the assistance of June and Al's new purchase (& best friend) Garmin (a poor name for a GPS). June delighted in changing the helpful voice from male to female and back and giving Desaree a special treat in switching it from english to svenska....oh June. The entire trip was mapped out by the crew's new pal, and the girls couldn't help but wonder if they were actually going to be getting home that night or ending up in one of the territories. In the end they did end up in Saskatoon but of course not without some difficulties...

A quick stop in Hanna for a snack turned out to take a bit longer than usual, since as June, Al, and Desaree were ordering a quick meal, Mel bounded over shouting like a child, 'CAN I BORROW 7 DOLLARS?' to her mother for a small pizza that was calling her name. Unfortunately 'Pizza Hut Express' was a hugely misleading name...and Tyler, the 16 year old pizza sous chef seemed to have other important things to do (talk to his pals, flirt with girls, show off the benefits of his new head phones to passing customers) rather than focus creating the personal-pan Canadian masterpiece. Thankfully, after an eon of dirty looks from Mel and Des, her pizza was chucked unceremoniously onto the counter. Before departing Hanna (the home of Nickleback, obviously), however, the girls had the privilege of witnessing the latest Hanna catwalk fashion (greasy, bleached-with-roots hair, see through capri pants, giant skater shoes, and a pink shiny, furry vest), and meeting a true gentleman (a very large middle aged man in a fluorescent green tee with "SHIT YEAH" splashed across the chest).

The 3 Gal Pals N' Al cruised out of Hanna on the open road, thinking nothing could stop them in returning to Saskatoon swiftly. Much to their chagrin, however, they did not get too far before the local 'Sheriff' was pulling June over for going at a speed deemed a tad bit high. Trying to be a bit optimistic the girls reassured June how lucky it was that they had not yet crossed the border, thus saving a bit on tax! After driving through an intense thunderstorm full of hard rain and lightening bright enough to read a text book by (not that anyone utilized the opportunity to be studious) the gal pals n' Al safely rolled into 1222 Smuh Place.


Look forward to:
-the next road trip, this one minus one gal pal but plus a presby, an old man, and a Smuh sister! Can anyone say Thanksgiving?? What stunts will Morris put Kent up to? Will Jen learn to shoot a gun? And will Melissa get tricked into eating the drumstick again? Check back in a few weeks...