Please feel free to read the below blog but, I added the podcast version for audio.
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Here is E12: Edmonton, AB Canada … My roots
I left Edmonton for what would be the last time as my home at the beginning of 1996.
I had just graduated from college and accepted a job with Northern Telecom in Calgary.
Like so many young people, I figured I was simply moving to another city.
I had no idea that one decision would eventually lead me to living in the United States…
Mexico…
And traveling to dozens of countries around the world.
For years, Edmonton was always the place I came back to visit.
But it never quite felt like home anymore.
That changed a little bit during the summer of 2026.
I had a great time catching up with everyone!
After four years away, I flew into Edmonton, and my brother-in-law picked me up from the airport…
Just like he has so many times over the years.
The forty-five-minute drive to my sister’s house always seems to fly by.
Not because of the scenery…
But because we spend the entire drive solving the world’s financial problems.
Well…
At least our own.
Our conversations usually turn into a friendly competition over who’s cheaper…
And more importantly…
Who’s right about being cheaper.
Canada versus the United States.
Who got the better deal?
Who found the cheaper flights?
Who paid less for groceries, gas, or hotels?
I keep telling him…
He still has a lot to learn about finding cheap flights.
Neither of us wants to lose.
I think if there were an Olympic event for being frugal…
We’d both be standing on the podium arguing over who deserved the gold medal.
Eventually, we pulled into my sister’s driveway.
I grabbed my bag…
Walked downstairs…
And there it was.
The couch.
The same couch that has faithfully welcomed me home for years.
Some people check into five-star hotels.
I check into my sister’s basement.
The price is right…
The coffee is always on…
And unlike a hotel, I know my sister won’t charge me a resort fee.
Although I’m still keeping an eye on my brother-in-law.
After a couple of days exploring Edmonton, including watching my beloved Edmonton Eskimos…
Yes, I know…
They’re the Elks now.
We headed to my other sister’s lake in Saskatchewan.
Another amazing homecoming.
There was homemade baking…
McBaba’s legendary breakfast sandwiches…
Hamburgers…
Steaks…
And fresh-caught fish that I actually reeled in myself.
Best of all, I got to spend time with my nephews, nieces, and now their kids.
You can only be the crazy uncle on Instagram for so long…
Eventually they get to experience you in person.
After a few days of fishing, laughing, eating, and making memories…
It was time to head back to Edmonton.
A couple days later, I was riding transit to the airport for my flight back to Arizona.
Something surprised me.
For the first time in as long as I can remember…
I wasn’t extremely excited to leave.
Usually, by the end of a visit, I’m ready to hit the road.
This time…
It was different.
For the first time in thirty years…
Edmonton felt like home again.
Not because the city had changed…
But because I had spent time with the people who made it feel like home in the first place.
Catching up with my family was amazing!
As I drank my airport beer, I made myself a promise.
No more waiting years between visits.
From now on…
I’ll come home at least once every six months.
Because no matter how many countries I visit…
Or how many places I call home…
Edmonton will always be where my story began.
Thanks for listening to the NorthAmericanDarrell Podcast.
Until next time…
Live life to the fullest.
