From my blog title, not difficult to see I am a northern gal and Edmonton is my home base. Born and raised here as well as parents and grandparents, the roots go back a few generations.

Thought I would share some of my loves and a few dislikes on our city.

A few of the basics: The capital of the Canadian province of Alberta, Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River  and is in Alberta's central region, most of this area is prairie, but on the edge of northern forest. The 2011 census population was 812,201, making it Canada's fifth-largest municipality and Alberta's second-largest city behind Calgary. There is a traditional rivalry between the two cities.

What I love about my city

• Four distinct seasons: clear, crisp, snowy winters with blue skies,

slowly approaching springs,   hot dry sometimes  wet summers but no humidity except after thunderstorms

and often  lingering colorful cool falls

. Green and gold the official colours of our university for good reason.

• Many kilometers of river valley trails for hiking, walking, cycling, x-c sking, dog walking or just getting away from the city in its midst.
• No matter what the season there is always a festival going on from Canada Day to

as here downtown on New Year's eve,

• Live theatre and  local music venues

• Small craft beer stores like Alley Kat where I can stop with my dogs

• Our cultural diversity and celebration of this such as with Heritage Days and  Good Friday march in inner city
• Political diversity: believe it or not there is a dash of orange in the sea of blue!

• Modes of transport from the LRT, city buses to a unique trolley car that runs over the High Level Bridge in the summer.

• Historic districts like Old Strathcona with 100 year old churches and Saturday farmer’s market in old bus barns.
• Odd things the city has done like the waterfall off the High Level Bridge   and postings in neighbourhoods of little library boxes
• Outdoor swimming in city pools with children's play parks,,,
• Hot air balloons in the summer

What I love less about my city…

• Snow at times in March, April, May and September…probably there is a record of a year where of a year where it snowed every month.
• Time needed to get to the International Airport 25 kms south, just recently introduced a city bus, previously taxi, car or sky shuttle
• Pot holes and construction season in summer
• Winter driving on the morning commute to work & speeders on the ring roads
• Money being spent on a new hockey arena when more worthwhile other development projects
• Lack of preservation of some historic buildings….if over 50 years old it has to go!
• Out lying suburbs that rally against social housing in their neighbourhood.
• New young forward looking mayor and city council