The Conservatory is currently closed for renovations.
Each of the four pyramids is a different climate zone. In the dead of winter you can escape into the sub tropics or maybe the dessert.
The Muttart is another expression of Edmonton's love for pyramids. In the 70's an influential local architect, Peter Hemingway, started using this shape. the pyramid is being marketed as something very "Edmonton" I suspect that our new hockey arena will also be a pyramid of some sort.
For more info : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muttart_Conservatory
Please don't be alarmed with the colour of the river. It is still spring run off in the mountains and the river is heavy with silt.
The new age monkey bars!
So much diffrent then the version I remeber, and so muchmorevisual too ;-)
Melanie C of the Spice Girls was in town. The show was put on at a very intimate space and all in all it was a lot of fun!
Not bad for 40 bucks.
If anyone wants a close up shot of her boots posted just let me know, as I have a number of them!
When built in the 60's the CN Tower was the tallest office tower west of Toronto. I have come to love this building, but this was not always the case. When I first moved to Edmonton in the late 90's down town was depressed and this building was a shining beacon of that fact. The building sat empty because CN moved it's offices out of the city when the downtown rail yard was closed. The once proud sign on the top of the building, which lights up at night, had dark and flickering segments.
Now the building is full and the the sign is fixed. I have been studying architecture as a hobby and I have come to realize what a fantastic example of modern architecture this building is.
It's hard to notice but the CN tower is not square. The front and back of the tower concave slightly and the sides bow slightly outwards. The base has an all glass mezzanine that sits on top of the pedestal main floor.
I don't know when city hall was rebuilt, but it can't be more than 20 years old. It's is situated right downtown across from our civic square. The reflection pool out front, has just been cleaned and should be filled any day. In the winter it serves as an ice rink and in the warmer months it is a fantastic water show and gathering spot.
Edmonton was named Canada's Cultural Capital in 2007. The title is awarded on a yearly basis. The Jester was tied into that in some way. I just love the way he pops against the neutral interior of the building.
This Oinker is on display at City Hall. There is a series of these can statues promoting awareness of the city's needy and drawing attention to the food bank. Ironically someone stole a shopping bag worth of cans the other day.
I feel a little Andy Warholish making this post.
I have some great pictures of our award winning city hall coming over the next day or two. 
I caught these two young men practicing their free style running. This urban activity has been known to me for some years, but I have never seen anyone undertake it in Edmonton. I have always enjoyed watching it as it reminds me of modern dance.
As I walked past them and back into the office I overheard one say to the other "I am getting to old for this"
.
Free Style Running is a sport in which your run full out over an urban environment recklessly jumping, launching and catapulting your self over any encountered obstacle. The opening sequence of James Bond's: Casino Royal is the best example of the sport I have seen.
Ok... So the lap dance bar is next to "First Class" dry cleaning. This is funny to me in a multitude of ways.
The new downtown market is now open. Modeled after a European style market it has delicate pastries, an oyster bar and bistro, gourmet deli and a fresh fish stand.
Unfortunately this photo may very well be his obituary by now!
The market opened Thursday and already has become a hub of activity and has brought the surrounding city blocks to life. In the summer the Market will be integrating with the open air farmers market that takes place just outside it's doors.
I saw this guy waiting for the bus and all I could think about was Kim's post from a day or so ago.
I really appreciate the help that was offered in respect to editing my Blog HTML.
Thank you to everyone who responded to my cry for help.
I see a number of photo sites that post much larger and higher resolution pictures that what I am currently able to do.
I am currently downloading the photo directly to the blog via the post funtion.
Can anyone give me a hand?
This Highway is one of the busiest in the world and represents billions of dollars in trade. It links Edmonton to Alberta's other major city, Calgary. What was once called Hi-Way 2 was renamed as per the photo above.
The prairies are also known as big sky country. Edmonton itself is not in part of the big sky region. It is actually a good 300km to the south east. This photo gives you an idea as to why Big Sky is like. The real macoy would have a much lower horizon and be FLAT with almost no trees. It has the same effect as standing before a mountain, one feels very small and trivial.
I am currently in Red Deer helping my mother who has broken her wrist.
The city sits on the banks of the North Saskatchewan river. The banks are about 130-150 feet tall in the Downtown area. Multiple sets of these stairs allow access to the park below. Normally you see someone working out, or pushing a bike up the side tracks, but today was a slow day.
Plans to build a funicular are in the works
I hate Pigeons, but I love the way this guy pops against the black girders of the High Level Bridge.
