Nrthwnd

^ Actually, that looks pretty possible, looking at the map etc. Which would be a cool transport to the Resort. Maybe they could/would add another station (corner of where Scandi-Arendelle is ending up) for them to first disembark the boat, then get on the monorail to the parks.

For future consideration.... Interlocking Larson Loops One goes up and down, the other goes sideways, or... they tip back and forth during a cycle.

As a postscript to the above posting, I forgot to mention that David and I took in both Haunt Houses at The Fair as well! The old Playland standby, Haunted Mansion, we went through first, with David leading. This is great and I miss the fun of going through these things, with at least one other person. It's so 'okay and meh' when you travel solo - not to mention sad and pathetic. And the other haunt (where I led us through) was the Keepers Dolls Factory, a returning haunt from last Oct.'s Fright Nights at Playland. This was cool, as I didn't do FN last Oct. So this was a neat bonus haunt! And it was great! Very much reminded me of the gross and totally random scenes done in Japanese haunts. And an actor or two freeking us out, as well, lol. Haunted Mansion. This was good, as always. Keepers Doll Factory. Wow, I loved it! It was so Japanese!

After my Elephant Ear was finished, I wandered around a part of The Fair site, that people really don't visit much. That being the Gardens Area on the west side of the site. It's a really beautiful set up with a good amount of statuary and water parts, too. This is where the kids' Toon City was set up, too After that, I toured up to Playland, and got myself a libation at the Ride Side Bar, before meeting up with David for our meal of ribs. The Rib Fest was not really that busy, with the overcast skies really keeping people away that day. So everything was basically a walk up, order, pay, and pick up... no problem! The ribs we had were from two companies: Misty Mountain from Hinton Alberta, and Prairie Smoke & Spice from Regina Saskatchewan. Two portions of ribs (one from each) is all we could handle. Both were good, but the Misty Mountain ribs were a lot moister and juicier than the Prairie S & S were. So for the record, we both gave Our PNE Food Grades: MM B+, PS&S C+. Also - with the rain not showing up, this turned into the Best - Uncrowded - PNE Visit - Ever. The Toon City area for the kids, with play areas and 2 stage shows (Pirates and Mermaids!). The Pirates show was playing. This eerily reminded me of "America on Parade" figures when Disneyland and WDW MK did their patriotic parade, back in the mid-1970s. Four heads are better than one? Part of the Gardens, west side of The Fair. Some really nice garden areas, here. All alone, I see? Really nice and quiet, without any crowds to speak of. Which to fly away on? A Space Shuttle or a Space Ship? Decisions... Calf in Repose. Here comes the PNE Band... ..And there they go... to somewhere else to perform, I suspect. The Tractor Dirt Flattening Contest is intense! Between shows at the Agrodome. Skies overcast by now, but still no downpour. Woo hoo! And now, a quick stop at the Ride Side Bar, in Playland. Wish it was here for the Playland season, too. My libation of choice, Okanagan Cider, dry. View to the right of the bar. View to the left. And in the middle, The Beast goes on. Boogie Fever! going on, opposite the Ribs Fest. It was fun, yet scarily familiar to me. I bought a half rack from here. And David bought a half rack from here. Top is Misty Mountain, Bottom is Prairie S&S. Both good, but the Prairie was more dry, than we thought it should be. Even with extra bbq sauce, it was still...chewy. David was definitely happy with his choice, although we did share. Showing off my PNE "Bling" on the TPR backpak. Free Food! Sample packages to take home with us. And on our way home, we spotted these. By the way... THIS was "America On Parade", in Walt Disney World MK, circa 1976. (Celebrating the USA's 200th Birthday!)

More of Farm Country, including the Pig Races area, which sadly weren't running when I was there, the horses area, and an Elephant Ear I had, before meeting up with David and heading to the Rib Fest. The Elephant Ear was nice, with ice cream on top. Crunchy in some spots, doughy in others. My PNE Food Grade: C+ The PNE created a Chef's Garden, to grow veggies for use in the various Fair Food spots. Not huge, but a pretty good veggie garden nonetheless. Kids Discovery Farm for...who else? Kids! I believe you! The "Country Store" they set up every year in Farm Country. Lots of "homemade stuff" to buy here. Pig Races! Not happening at this time! All the contenders. The race circuit. With a Duck Slide in there, too. Chickens were here. At least the horse kept his eyes open. And this is the horse's name - Wolkenair (pronounced with a 'V'). For those who love Clydesdale horses. Got milk? Momma and baby. Where I got my Elephant Ear from. Couldn't miss the place, if I tried, lol. Yep. That's what I'm getting. Here it is, before diving in. The mess that it eventually becomes. On site entertainment. They were really good, flashy and lively to make us forget the grey skies that eventually came overhead. This is NOT a big crowd here, today. To be continued...

So after I finally got my camera battery recharged, I headed back to The PNE yesterday, to check out a few other things available there for families, including Toon City, some of theGarden Areas around the fair site, and the all-important Livestoock Bldgs. which brings the farm to the city, especially for the kids. Got myself a pair of corn dogs for a lunch snack, and then later on when I met up with David, we checked out a couple of the Rib Fest companies selling their stuff. For the food grade, the corn dogs were very nice, though a tad small. Even so, My PNE Food Grade: C+. Back to the Playland Entrance I went. Right to this place for a couple of corn dogs. The wind was up early in the afternoon, but all the straws were protected in their little sleeves. Wait! What's this? Some blue skies? We were supposed to get heavy rainfall in the afternoon. Not this! Two rather smallish corn dogs. But the corn meal batter was very nice, and the hot dog was, well, a hot dog. More sky and clouds here and there. Music Express going strong. AtmosFEAR looks great with blue sky behind it. The train doing it's circuit. Red train today, on Coaster. The crowd was really not that busy. I think the possibility of rain kept quite a few away today. Um, shouldn't this come down, finally? I mean, it IS 2015 now. Another mini-donuts stand at The Fair. Farm Country = Livestock, bees, vegetables...and Pig Races! Into the building we go. Bee Beard Demo? Cool! ...Unfortunately, whoever was doing this wasn't doing it today. But here's where they would do it! You want Honey? WE got Honey! Lots and LOTS of Honey!!! Bovines taking a siesta.

^ Yeah, it's Yom Kippur. Also, Fall Equinox!

^ For musical lovers, Jones was the original Bobby in Stephen Sondheim's 1970 musical Company. RIP DJ Dean Jones as Bobby, front and centre, in the original Broadway cast (1970) of Sondheim's COMPANY.

^ Oooo another monorail connection! (just wishing)

That's a heck of a distance for any shuttle bus to go. Maybe that's not going to be a part of this new hotel.

Well, darnit. I went to The Fair yesterday, planning to see the production of Peter Pan (yeah, I decided to give it a chance), and get a burger for dinner. Take some photos of the evening, and then head home. But - I found out at The Fair, my camera battery was d-e-a-d. So all I got to show for the night is the reserved seat I got myself for the show, and the coupon that was destined for my burger. The show was pretty good, as truncated (90 min) as it was. The coupon. Past the Italian thing on the left, Gourmet Burgers was to the right. I also stopped here, after the show, for a nice bowl of frozen yogurt and stuff! (o:

A Coke with the name "Nancy" on it.

^ I get to The Fair. I buy my burger. The camera battery is dead. That's all I got, sadly. This was the place I went, on the far right, there: Gourmet Burgers. (Photo from earlier visit.)

^ Cool! And I am about to head back to The PNE this late afternoon, and am planning (with a $ off coupon) on "Building My Own Burger" soon, before heading off to catch the Peter Pan LIVE! show. Will post a pic or two of The Creation, when I get it done. The coupon in question. (o;

Drive

My latest visit to The Fair (Sunday), was checking out both the MARKETPLACE that has so many things you don't need there, and eating a massive noodle dish at The Noodle Bar. Too many noodles, I found out. But it was good enough to rate a My PNE Food Grade: C+ Also, because we had such massive rainfall and high winds over Saturday, they decided to give us Free Admission for the day! So the crowds kept building and building throughout the afternoon. Decided to use the old Playland Entrance. Then found out everybody was getting in FREE! Went right to one of the many spots to pick up my dollar popcorn and dollar soft drink. There's a bar right in Playland too, though not very busy at this time of day. One of a few "not-so secret pathways" that basically avoid the crowd noise, when getting around The Fair. Noodle Bar! Here's the Noodle Bar Ladies and their woks. The noodles are cooked using water only, by the way. No oil. (o: A Bangra (?) group had just finished performing on a stage nearby, and then went for Jamaican food! I decided to go for this. $9 with a coupon ($2 off) Hi there! You're all doing a great job there in such cramped quarters. My meal. Way too many noodles. Bacon all cut up in much smaller pieces than expected. I threw some crushed peanuts on it, but they were pretty bland. Still a C+ for myself. I looked over from my table and saw this. Um....should Child Services be notified? After eats, it was off to The Marketplace. Crowd Shot #1 Crowd Shot #2 And #3. It was just packed all the time I spent in there. I found this "British Shoppe" there, and then found.... A Doctor Who button! They didn't have any Dr.Who pins at the Superheros thing. So this was great! The name is funny. And it means = making soft serve out of anything! Candles that never go out! Lights with bulbs that DO go out. (o; Bling on a Table. East Indian spices in small colourful jars. The display. Sorry for the fuzzy shot. Spinng Wheels. What more does one need? And... will check this out (i.e. buy some) on a future Fair visit.

Think

8/10 Golf.

Most expensive food I've (so far) had at our annual fair was this. $18 Cdn for a 1/2 chicken with fries and a drink. I do know that $18 could buy me two roasted chickens at our Safeway Deli. Is $18 too much for this? The chicken was wonderful and the fries were plentiful. But still...

East

Just bought these two cast albums, through Amazon.UK - and fascinated , having seen both movies of course, wondering how these two could be musical-worthy. "Bodyguard" I Could say 'yes', but "Beckham"? I shall find out, near the end of September. (delivery time period) I suspect some Bollywood music will creep into this one. (o; Original score too - besides the 'known single.'

"Six inches forward - five inches back." Hedwig

^^ Ooooh yeah, right, sure.....

More WIND & RAIN! Which is a thing greatly needed, but overkill with the winds! Trees down, houses hit, power down to a lot of residents. Not us, thankfully. :knocks-wood:

My mantra goes... "If It's in Japan, It will be Awesome."