Sunday, June 20, 2010

Last Minute thoughts before we all leave

Here are some last minute thoughts I need to share with you all before you head up to Canada.  I think some of you are leaving tomorrow, but here it is anyway.

Catherine Beaman got us some info about the border crossing about what can get over the border and what cannot.  You can take with you up to $20 of dairy (cheese, milk, eggs--she said cheese is expensive in Canada, so that's probably something you want to bring yourself), 10 lb of beef or pork, and up to 20 lb. of chicken.  No produce, so you'll have to get that when you get there.  So plan ahead, save yourself some cash, because rumor has it, groceries are expensive there.  We'll probably still get group meal food up there, but as for individual family meals, plan ahead for sure!

Also, speaking of group meals.  I need some ideas as to what you all want/will eat for those meals.  I need to come up with a menu so we can get our supplies early on in the week.  We will also need some help storing some of the meat and perishables in coolers/fridges, so if you can help out with that, it would be great.   Keep in mind, Thursday's picnic will last most of the afternoon, and it is potluck, so figure out what you plan to bring, and get your ingredients!

I have decided to move the big opening dinner shindig to Tuesday night because there will be more people there at that time. I realize this will be the same day as Waterton, but I think we will still have time to run up to Lethbridge and do a quick Costco trip if we know what we need and we hurry.  We are planning to BBQ so if any of you have mini grills you can bring with you, or if you Cardston-ites could bring over your grill, that would be FANTASTIC!

As for the deposits of campsites...If you have not paid me already, go ahead and get some cash or write me a check when you get there.  The lady at the desk said she would transfer funds to cover my bill, but some people have already paid and so it's just easier to follow suit that way.  The deposit amount is $29.40 Canadian dollars.  Cash is preferred, but checks are fine.

If you haven't ordered your t-shirts, get on that, because it takes awhile to get them shipped out.  We would like you all to have one for the big family picture, so it would be great if you could get those ordered! 

Please be aware that Waterton and Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump cost to get in.  Go here for Waterton's rates, and here for Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump.  You may need cash to get in.

For those of you interested in making a temple trip to do sealings or endowments or otherwise, I did some research on the Cardston temple.  They have clothing rental, so you don't need to bring your own stuff.  They are not open Monday, but the rest of the week should be fine.  We are aiming to go either in the afternoon on Wednesday or on Friday.

I think that is all for now.  Sorry, I know this is a hodgepodge mix of stuff and it sounds a bit disorganized but these are the things that have been on my mind and I have been checking on for the last few days.  Email me if you have questions, my email address is on the right sidebar at the top.

2 comments:

  1. Also, Cardston is still a 'dry' town (you can't buy booze in town unless you ask the right bootlegger . . .but you can consume it without hiding it in a paper bag these days ) - - so it's BYOB. You are allowed 40 oz of hard liquor or wine OR 24 beer per adult (which in Alberta is 18!!!). There is a duty free shop at Coutts and, yes, it's true, there is also one at Carway!!

    I think cigarettes are allowed in at 2 cartons per adult.

    Mountain Dew in Canada does NOT have caffeine, so if that is your choice of drink and you want the caffeinated kind you'll have to bring it with you...

    Our milk and dairy products are sadly not pumped full of antibiotics or growth hormones like they do in the USA -- so they may taste a bit odd to you. (I know I find US dairy products taste weird to me. . .but I try to avoid them.)

    Groceries are much better priced in Lethbridge -- we have a Costco, 2 big Wal-mart and Superstore -- which is like Safeway on steriods! Lethbridge is 74 kilometers from Cardston -- so about a 35 minute drive. That's where I live, so my house is available for 'staging' plans, pee breaks, etc.

    If anyone is up for it -- I'd be willing to try to put together a pub night. Our bars and restaurants are wonderfully smoke free and a couple of them have 'name that tune' games and kareoke (how ever it is spelled) activities.

    In case of illness while in Cardston, I suggest driving as fast as you can to the Lethbridge hospital - - let's just say, that would be a safety issue. . .

    As of now, I'm still on the Employment Insurance summer gardening squad, so I'll be around and probably driving back and forth all week. My home phone is 403-524-0621 and my cell is 403-360-9223.

    Love and Kisses,
    Elizabeth aka Betty Jean

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  2. Thanks for your insight Elizabeth! We appreciate the info!

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