Blogs from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, North America - page 8

url=http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_CA_BC/ajax/package/destinations?ref=//localhost:50123/CMS/Repository/rmv-670Banff To url=http://www.rockymountaineer.com/en_CA_BC/ajax/package/destinations?ref=//localhost:50123/CMS/Repository/rmv-887Calgary We were travelling with the Brewster Tour company which was the dominant company in this area. The next morning, we were met by an older driver Stewart who was a real character. There was a young 12yo girl travelling with her grandparents and an old neighbourhood friend. The bus driver bantered with the confident little girl who reacted so well. It reminded of our Gemma who would have loved being on the bus, chatting to the driver. Stewart was full of information and a fantastic person to travel with. We were ready for another full day of stunning scenery and exciting experiences. ... read more

16 Jul 2016: today's events begin with a walk among the numerous exhibits in the park. We favored the Agriculture exhibits, especially since they were indoors and we like animals. Once again, the rain came down on schedule, just as we entered the park. It was a little less intense and of shorter duration. I found myself becoming easily annoyed about certain crowd behaviors. For example, there was a very elaborate sculpture of a herd of horses crossing a river. In this case the "water" was concrete and only the upper half of the horses were visible. I wanted to take pictures but everyone was posing next to or on the sculptures and little children were climbing on them. I didn't want all these strangers in my picture. They should take the shot and get out ... read more

Well we are packed, breakfasted and sitting in our our hotel room, ready to set off for the airport and the long journey home. Our final day was spent at Stampede watching the rodeo. If they could sit on it the Cowboys tried to ride it. Not always very successfully. They certainly earned any cash they won. Surprisingly in this country of extremes daily prize money is small. Our abiding memory however will be the horses herding steers. The speed and turning ability of these is quite amazing and is not just for show but has a real use back on the vast ranches. Took hundreds of photos. Joy wonders why so many. She has a point. So we will be back soon. Hope these blogs have kept you vaguely amused. It's been fun!... read more

Have reached our final stop in this trans Canadian adventure. We are installed in another high rise hotel suite close to the city centre. Calgary is alive with Stampede fever, lots going on and nearly everyone sporting a great big cowboy hat and riding boots. I shall be buying Joy a Stetson in a few minutes. She can't wait!! We are off to the showground to soak it all up. Chuck wagon racing is the main event. A bit like Towcester but with carts. No doubt I will back a few losers so pinning hopes on Joy finding a winner or two. Finally the majority of the people round here are Canadian which is novel on this trip.... read more

On Thursday the drive from Regina into Alberta would probably have been bored had I not picked up 2 hitchhikers, Jade and Oliver from Montreal of all places! Actually every traveller I have encountered was from Montreal heading to BC for the summer, I guess it is just a thing we do. Everyone called me crazy for doing that but here is my reasoning, a) they were a very young looking couple, 18, one of which was a girl (I would rather pick up two people than one because what are the chances that two people are murderous sociopaths); b) they had large backpacks with tents and sleeping bags so they clearly aren’t going to steal my stuff because they can’t run very far; and c) I obviously asked them what their travel plans were and ... read more