Thursday, January 26th - Maybe some snow?

After an absolutely beautiful day yesterday - 4' and bright sun - it finally cooled off again and this morning it's -6'. It's supposed to stay there all day but no precipitation, although I did see the odd flake fluttering down when I let the dog out. They're predicting 10 - 15 cm of snow tomorrow afternoon and evening but they've taken that out and put it back into the forecast half a dozen times this week, so we'll believe it when we see it!

Last night we went to see "Incredibly Loud and Extremely Close". I quite liked it although it was a bit long. The young boy who played the main character isn't a known actor and he did an amazing job.

When the movie was over we went  to Boston Pizza and had some Pizza Bread with a southwest sauce, and a Greek Pizza and of course, a beer. It was all very good and it was a lovely way to end the evening. Brenda was getting updates from Will, who was leaving Calgary for an 8 hour bus ride to Conklin. I looked it up this morning and found this information:

Conklin is a hamlet in northern Alberta, Canada within the Regional Municipality (R.M.) of Wood Buffalo.[2] It is located on Highway 881 between Fort McMurray and Lac La Biche. It has an elevation of 575 metres (1,886 ft).

The hamlet is located in census division No. 16 and in the federal riding of Fort McMurray-Athabasca.

The population of Conklin according to the R.M of Wood Buffalo's 2007 municipal census is 299.[3] The subsequent 2008 municipal census recorded a population of 372.[4] However, with the overall 2008 municipal census result for the R.M. of Wood Buffalo not being accepted by Alberta Municipal Affairs due to the use of extrapolation,[5] Conklin's 2008 population may be more of an estimate compared to its 2007 figure.

As of 2006, Conklin had a total population of 199 living in 60 dwellings. With a land area of 15.35 km2 (5.93 sq mi), it has a population density of 13.0 /km2 (34 /sq mi).[1]

But I also came across this Travel Guide: 

http://www.northernalberta.worldweb.com/Conklin/

I suspect the population is likely a little larger with outside workers coming in.. It's certainly going to be an experience for him. 

The mild weather has certainly made preparations for the Jack Frost Festival a challenge. The walls they've built so far are all covered in plastic with snow piled around them to try to prevent them from melting. This colder weather should make it possible to make more snow.