Wade and I set a goal a few years back to try and see a game in all of the National Hockey League arenas. It combined our love of hockey with our love of travel and well, why not? We have been trying to cluster as many of them as possible.  Wade has been searching for about 5 years for a way to get Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver all at once. Amazingly, it all came together and we are able to hit them all during my Spring Break.  Beepers (Keely) is not on this trip as it would be way too taxing on her.

Spring Break started with a bang. My (Erika’s) dad was admitted to the hospital Thursday night with stroke like symptoms. Being the daddy’s girl that I am, that was difficult. I was pretty much a mess Friday morning when I found out. But, knowing that my dad would kick my butt if I took the day off work to sit at the hospital, I went to work. My principal and team gave me the green light to leave a half hour early and I headed up to the hospital. He was as feisty as ever. While I wasn’t completely okay with leaving, he was threatening bodily harm and I’m pretty sure he could take me, stroke and all.

Keely was less than thrilled that Mommy and Daddy were leaving (the first time ever she’s shown this emotion). She feigned a stomach ache and finally admitted she was sad. Two minutes after we were gone, she was fine.

We departed for Canada at 11:55pm on March 11th. After a less than eventful journey (but rather fishy smelling) trip through customs in Toronto, we are sitting at a bar in Winnipeg. Our first of four games is tonight. Should you choose to follow this journey, thanks! I’ll do my best to make it an interesting read. No promises!!

(He can’t even take his eyes off the t.v. game long enough for a picture)