Change of plans!

All right! Just to let you know, there are some pretty horrendous bugs at the spot where we were planning to have the reception, thanks to the flash flooding that the park saw about three weeks ago. Boo.

Luckily for us, we have a beautiful back-up spot for the reception: a brand new hall that has just been finished. It is right in the park, so now we won't have to worry about changing locations between the park and Steveville.

We will still be meeting at the visitor centre at Dinosaur Park at 3:30pm. After the ceremony, we will make sure that the front desk staff know where to direct the guests. And if you were planning to camp, we will be accomodated in the day use area at the park, which is where we were planning to have a BBQ the next day anyway. It has washrooms nearby, picnic tables, and firepits. Campers will be charged for a non powered site (around $20 a night, I think).

One last thing that you will need to bring: a bit of cash for the bar at the reception. We will not be selling drinks, but we would appreciate a small donation to help us offset the cost. I guess the Aussies would call it a "gold coin" donation? For the rest of you, that's a loonie or twonie!

Love you all! More updates to come!

Marcia and Phil

What to bring!

Phil and I are in the midst of packing for our month of adventuring... and so I thought I'd share some suggestions of what to bring with you:

1. Great road trip music. DPP is really far from, well, everywhere... Be prepared.

2. A good map. Get good directions, print it off, whatever. Just don't get lost! Busses leave at 3:30pm.

3. Umbrellas. They're dual purpose... I'm pretty sure we won't get rain (DPP's like that) but if we do you'll be fine. And they will protect you from the sun too! Especially you pale folks... :)

4. Sun screen and bug spray. We'll have some for you, but you may want your own supply.

5. Water bottles. Again, we'll have some, but you'll need a lot more than you usually do, DPP's like that.

6. A change of clothes that involves long pants and sleeves for later on. If you plan to stay and party late with us, you may want to change into something more comfy.

7. Camping supplies. For those of you staying over, the campsite is old but well maintained. There are outhouses, and no running water so make sure you bring some!

8. Your camera. DPP is breathtaking.

9. Close-toed shoes for any of your exploration of the park outside the wedding. There are lots of cacti around.

10. An adventurous spirit! It's going to be a blast! Wheeeeeeeeee!

Love you all,

Marcia

We recommend...

Today's topic is: "What to do while you're in the middle of nowhere, i.e. Brooks and area."

Eating:

We love the Patricia Pit (the Patricia Hotel's Bar and BBQ). Serves typical BBQ stuff, including Bison. The twist is, it comes raw and you cook it yourself on the BBQ in the back. Delicious food, great value, and hilarious atmosphere.

In town, our favourite place to eat is O'Shea's which is right on 2nd street west, in front of a large hotel and next to McDonalds. Regular Irish Pub stuff. Good beer selection.

In the Park, there is a Concession which is about a bazillion times better than it's ever been in the last few years. I ate there recently and had the most wonderful veggie egg and cheese wrap the size of my head, and a side of shredded hashbrowns with green onion and cheese on top, all for under $10. Totally delicious, inexpensive and homemade!

Stuff to do:

There is a large lake 15 mins south of Brooks called Lake Newell. It is the home of Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, which has camping and a great swimming beach. Also a concession of a more average variety.

When in DPP, you should really try to take a tour or at least walk one of the self-guided trails, or drive the public loop road. This park is a world heritage site and has more dinosaur fossils than anywhere else on Earth! My tour reccommendations are the Fossil Safari, especially if you like exploring or have kids, and the Bus tour, which takes 2 hours and shows you all around the park. You will see lots of fossils on both. To book go to dinosaurpark.ca and either book online or call the number listed.

We can't wait to see you! 11 days now!

Marcia :)

Getting to the Park!!

Here is a zoomed out map that shows how to get to the Park from Calgary. Phil put it together for us!

Here are his written directions:

DIRECTIONS

Alberta roads are set out in a grid and are numbered rather than named. From Calgary to Dinosaur Park (DPP) is about 2hr 45min. The signage can be very frustrating. Often there will be a sign leading up to the road and then nothing at the turn itself. The roads are flat and straight, so bring some music or an interesting passenger!

Part 1.

Take HWY 1 east for ~1hr 30min to Bassano (if you are staying in Brooks and want to go there first, go to part 2).

Just after Bassano turn left on HWY 550. The road dog-legs past the two-horse town of Rosemary. Follow 550 to Duchess. At the T-junction turn right on HWY 873. In ~2km turn left on HWY 544. In ~15km you will see signs for DPP and the Dinosaur Country Store. Turn left at the Store (you’ll pass the two-horse town of Patricia on your left) and follow the signs to DPP (~15min).

Part 2.

Follow HWY 1 all the way to Brooks (~2hr 15min). From Brooks, go north on HWY 873 for 12km, turn right on HWY 544. In ~15km you will see signs for DPP and the Dinosaur Country Store. Turn left at the Store (you’ll pass the two-horse town of Patricia on your left) and follow the signs to DPP (~15min).

Here is an interactive google map of how to get to the park from Brooks:

View Brooks to Dinosaur Park in a larger map

To figure out how to get to the park from where you are, click on the little blue marker near Dinosaur Park. Then, next to where it says "Get directions" click on "to here." Type in your starting address and it will give you step by step directions!

Beware of the timing prediction though. The timing says over an hour but it lies! It should actually take a little over 30 mins to get to the park from Brooks, 15 mins from Patricia.

Here is another google map of how to get to the reception site from Dinosaur Park:

View Ceremony Site (DPP) to Reception Site (Steveville) in a larger map

Both of these maps are a little wonky in that you will have to zoom way out using the "-" on the right top corner before you will see anything. Not sure how to fix that. Oh well.

To print either of these maps, click on the link at the bottom to view a larger map and you can print the map from Google!

Oi! I'm exhausted now and am going to bed!

Please comment on the blog if you have questions about these maps so I can answer them for everyone!

Only 12 days now!!

Love, Marc

An Addition...

We've also registered at MEC. You'll find our list by clicking on "Wishlist" and searching under Marcia Owen. There are a lot of great travel accessories there that we will use forever.

Hope everyone is having a great hot weekend!

Marcia

Because some of you have been asking...

Phil and I have had a few questions about what we would like for our wedding. Well, honestly, we'd just love to have so many of our family and friends together under one roof (or tent, actually). And seeing as it looks like we'll probably be moving to Australia in the near future, we didn't really want to register for a houseful of beautiful things that we would have to leave behind. What we could really use is funds towards the many plane tickets we have to buy in the near future, and for a savings fund for the house that we look forward to settling in.

So, we visited the Bay today (www.hbc.com) and registered for a few small items that would pack well (sheets, etc) and some luggage (apparently it's on sale this week!). We also added gift cards to our registry, which can be used at the Travel agency in the Bay towards plane tickets to Australia. To find our list, please click on the link above and search under one of our names.

All that said, we really just want to see your smiling faces there. Can't wait!

Love you all,

Marcia and Phil

A Quick Reminder...

We are getting SO excited to see you all in August! Remember to book your campsite early if you are planning to stay either Friday night or Sunday night. If you are camping with us the night of the wedding, there will be free camping provided. NOTE: wedding night campsite is in a different place from the regular park campsite so be prepared to move your site on Sat. AM (that's why the wedding is happening later in the afternoon).

We suggest you take in a tour or two while you're there, if you have time. Dinosaur Park is a World Heritage Site and has absolutely breathtaking views (not to mention the fossils, which a re also pretty cool). For everything DPP, visit their website at:

www.DinosaurPark.ca

If you will be at the park early, please let me know so we can hang out with you!!

Are you headed to the Rockies after the wedding?

My sister found a great deal on 2 BR suites in Canmore for this summer, but you have to book before June 15th.

Check it out!

http://ca.deals.travelzoo.com/canada-hotels/592504?utm_source=top20_ca&utm_medium=email_top20

 

Have a great day!!

We want YOU!

To let us know if you're coming to the wedding!  Today is June 1, so please send us an email at: philarcia@gmail.com to let us know if you're in!

We're still alive up here in Edmonton, but it's been a pretty busy few months what with fieldwork for Phil and Marcia's new teaching job.  We were down in the park this weekend and we got a lot of details sorted out.  We're both starting to get super excited about the big day!

In the next few weeks, look for us to be posting more info about how to get to the park, etc.  If any of you are looking to carpool from Calgary or Edmonton, or have extra room in your car, let us know and we'll try to connect you with a passenger or a ride!  

If you still need information about where to stay, please read through the older posts.  There's an early one where I listed hotels, motels, phone numbers, camping rental places, etc.

ONE CHANGE... 

We were going to rent out the group use campsite at DPP for a few days prior to the wedding, but it ended up being more trouble than it was worth.  If you are coming down on Friday night (or earlier) and want to camp, YOU MUST BOOK A SITE.  Call (403) 378-3700 and ask for one near Patricia Stewart's (that's my mom).  That way you'll be able to hang out with us the night before!!!

Love to all, hope you're happy and healthy!

Marcia and Phil

News...

Hello all!

Just a quick one to say we've arranged for a caterer, photographer, and minister and we're so happy with all three!  If you're interested, here's a link to our photographer's website.  He did the wedding of some close friends and we're really lucky to have him so ours as well: www.christait.ca

All in all, things are starting to come together nicely!!!

Hello all!

As you can see, I've been working on this blog since Oct. but we've just gotten around to letting all you know about it!  We're so excited to have you at our wedding.  Invitations will be coming your way very soon, but if I sent you a link to this website, know that you're getting one!

Hopefully this will help you figure out if you can come, where to stay, etc.  Have fun looking around and email me with any questions: owenmarcia@gmail.com

And don't forget to RSVP!  philarcia@gmail.com

Marc XXX