8/1 Edmonton and shopping

We're spending today shopping. This of course is a holiday celebrated in most provinces, so our prime candidates are closed. But fortunately, one specialty outdoors shop, Atmosphere, is open. As is the Canadian REI, MEC. 

Between those two places, we got most of what we had brought, in varying levels of fidelity to the originals' quality and function. 

Behold, 2,700 CAD of gear:

Matt's credit card is pursuing covering this as a travel insurance claim. We told WestJet to ship the boxes back to Boston if they ever turn up. A lot of our own stuff is better or has other value, so it'd be nice to see it again some day. But can't keep up hope. Matt has a lot more to say about AA and the claim. The whole ordeal has been quite taxing. 

Alberta has a lot of oil money going around, so you see quite a few fancy cars out and about. Have seen a new Aston Martin (they all look the same), a ZR-1, and a McLaren:

Plan:

- cancel and redo reservations 

- tonight, rewrite the itinerary

- drive to Jasper tomorrow 

- last minute items: stove fuel, lighter

- pick up bikes

- configure panniers on bikes 

- return SUV

- dinner in town

- actually ride bikes! to camp 10mi outside Jasper

- camp