skate on hold this week

Unfortunately I will not be starting this week. Due to a death in the family, I will not be starting out as planned. I expect I will get on with it soon. Watch for the posting and don't forget to come along with me.

Since I decided I would get skating this winter, I thought I should make sure I really could. Well, in September, the Toronto Maple Leafs had an open house one Saturday at their new training centre on Kipling Avenue. I actually got on the ice for the first time since my new knees, clutching the boards all the way. It was only a few times around that I got my confidence and left the boards for a free skate. I went to get my camera, and wouldn't you know, Wendel Clark was right there and his aide snapped our photo. Proof positive!
I came home and booked my first city skate.

Well, I am finally underway with my skating venture. I have my ticket to Edmonton and Victoria for December 2, 3 and 4, 2009. I have learned that Butchart Gardens will have an artificial outdoor rink open December 1 to January 6, so I will start there. Since I am that far west I will incorporate Edmonton into this trip. It is likely that they will have their outdoor rinks open and there will be a few near the Parliament Buildings. The Edmonton Mall has a year round skating rink, so either way I will be skating there. City Staff in Regina have advised me that their outdoor rinks did not open unitl December 12, 2008, so I cannot plan on going there just yet. Hopefully I can do Winnipeg and Regina in one trip in January. Quebec and Ottawa are relatively easy to get to so I will fit them in somehow. So far, my sister Carole has agreed to meet me in Edmonton and my friend's Mom is meeting me in Victoria. So.. I'm off and I will keep you posted. Thanks for coming along on my blog.