The Trip Across
User Story
By Robina Zyp
Over 25 years ago I decided to blow this (ice)berg and move to Kelowna.
Kelowna was a lovely town then in the 80's, insulated from the economic swings of that time, just puttering along at its own pace. Consequently though, wages were poor and there also wasn't much of an advertising industry. I had probably the best job available in the valley at the time for my skills, but was making just a few pennies over minimum wage! So the decision was made after living there for about 8 years to move to a bigger centre ... but which one? Vancouver ... nope, too wet. Calgary? No way! Couldn't happen. After all, I was still an Edmontonian at heart!
So one day in the late 80's we pulled up stakes and moved back to Edmonton. I cried as I left my beautiful valley behind. But as our moving truck pulled in front of our new home in Edmonton, and I saw the welcome sign and yellow ribbons tied on the shrubs my heart leaped! Family and friends came around the corner of the house to welcome us home with hugs and tears all around. It was a beautiful spring day, just before the May long weekend ... maybe this wouldn't be so bad!
The next morning we woke up to another 'real' Edmonton experience ... over a foot of snow blanketing the world ... OUR new world! I will never forget the look on our collie’s face at the sight. What the heck have you gotten me into? I wondered that myself.
But, I have to say I have never regretted the move. I love Edmonton, and I don't know whether I would've appreciated it as much if I'd never lived away. I love our culture, our vistas - the trip across the James MacDonald at sunrise and sunset with the downtown high-rises glowing against the river valley, my friendly neighbours, our great schools, and the opportunity to do whatever you dream! The undercurrent of positivity is palatable here. But most of all I will never regret trading in the warm weather of the Okanagan for the warmth of family and friends here in my hometown, Edmonton.
