too much deep-fried...and candy

Hello Everyone,

Ah, Stampede...

We went on Sunday and had a lot of fun. Both of us were tired as we had a long day on Saturday. Jerry helped make pancakes for his MP's breakfast and I had to meander all the way down the hill to eat them. I then spent the afternoon studying at the park. That night, we went to a politically orientated party filled with the movers and shakers of the Calgary region. It was actually a pretty good time but it went on rather late.

We got to the grounds by 8:30 so we could get free admission. Otherwise, admission was $14/adult. Didn't stand in the super long line for free pancakes but we did go into the grandstand for free juice and ice-cream. Watched the stock dogs in the Saddledome although the sheep were the clear winners. Went on the swings (the rides were super-expensive so we limited ourselves to one ride) and did lots of people watching.

So...
mini donuts: too much oil first thing in the morning. And then they sprinkle icing sugar on them. We ordered a bucket of them (think kid's sized popcorn bucket)

milk/wagon wheel: best deal on the grounds $1

lunch: ate off the grounds so we could have a proper sit down meal

deep fried macaroni & cheese: yum

deep fried jelly beans: not as good as they sound. I was expecting battered jelly beans but
these were just donuts with jelly beans added to the batter. And then sprinkled with icing sugar

candy floss: yum! and they had green! new flavour for me - and very tasty

It was a good time and it was also the first time that Jerry and I were at Stampede together. Last year he got pulled away for a political function the night we were suppose to see the Evening Show. And we didn't start dating until the week after Stampede the previous year. He was very patient with me - went through all the infomercial boothes with me, helped me eat the cotton candy (so I wouldn't get a tummy ache - it just doesn't taste the same the next day) and he didn't laugh at me when I found the swings ride very high and a bit scary. Oh, and it's still one of my favourite rides. We went on the newer one where it's 2 people per swing and it goes higher than the traditional single seat one.

So that's it for Stampede this year for me. Prices were expensive and I'm budgetting for Ontario. Very different feel this year than in the past - people very hesitant about spending money. Not the super packed bars and parties. Even clothing is more subdued. Yep, the recession came to Alberta late but when it did hit, it hit hard.