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Published: October 25th 2005
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Erratic
Rocks from Jasper in Okotoks. Septmeber 9th
Less spectacular scenery than usual today. The driving rain doesn't help.
By afternoon we had left the mountains and were on the prarie. Wide open grassland in
need of the rain.
Lunch by a feature called the Erratics at Okotoks. These were huge stones carried from
Jasper, a few hundred kilometers away, and dropped by a glacier as it melted.
They rest in the middle of a field surrounded by, well nothing really. This makes them
stand out even more.
Too wet & windy to linger, so a quick circuit and a couple of photos. We did not ignore
the signs and climb on them but there were others who gave in to the temptation. This
makes the boys think I am more of a meanie than I really am. Hard I know.
On the outskirts of Lethbridge the flat landscape changes to undulating hills and signs
of the areas mining past, quarries.
Through a large but typical Canadian town to find the house of a distant cousin, Wenda,
who has invited us to stay..
We are both interested (who said obsessed?) in family history and 'met' while
researching the
Erratic close up
We didn't get much closer than this because we know that the signs apply to us. Jackson lineage on the internet.
Met her husband Lyndon and her mum Gloria. An evening of family photos and stories
followed.
Owen and Rory stayed at the house of Wenda's son George and had great fun getting to
know Dalton and Ainsley.
September 10th
It is still raining heavily so we give up on the sight seeing plans and chat instead.
Late afternoon we set off for a BBQ at the house of Wenda's daughter Glory.
We have a tour of the town on the way but it is still tipping down so we dont see it at
it's best. Lyndon is full of information about the area which is great.
Glory and her family live (part time) in a house that they are rennovating in a village
a few kilometers from Lethbridge.
It's a mansion really. The house was built about 100 years ago and is a replica of a
soutern USA plantation homestead. Everything is very grand and has taken a lot of time
and loving care.
The rain makes BBQ impossible so we cook in the kitchen.
Met some more of Wenda's children and their families and friends and
Badlands
A dramatic change of scenery had a great time.
Everyone was very welcoming, thank you!
September 11th
Still raining as we left Wenda's in the early morning.
We were heading for Spruce Meadows to meet my cousin Susan and her husband Ed and see
the show jumping. Message on mobile says it will be too wet. We decide to go to
Drumhelier instead.
After some miles of prarie we enter the 'badlands'.
These are hills and valleys one after the other that make a landscape a bit like extreme
bubblewrap. Many of the hills have bands of different colours and they look unearthly.
Drumhelier is a small town with an extraordinary 'museum'.
The Tyrell museum contains many fossils, including some very rare specimens found
locally.
I have been to my share of Natural History museums but Drumhelier is outstanding.
The exhibits are given space, context and explanations.
Everything is carefully arranged, there is a hint of humour and there are hands on areas
for the kids.
One day is not really long enough to fully appreciate it.
Quick stop at Horseshoe canyon for a great view of the badlands. Too wet to climb down.
Find our way to
Badlands at Tyrell
You can see why they were so hard to cross Airdrie and get directions to Sue & Ed's house which is some way out of
town and stands back from the road in the middle of large fields.
Sue has not changed too much from the last time we met, 1975.
Tour of the house, tea and then the grown ups go downstairs to talk leaving Owen and
Rory....glued to the TV. (Headset for TV which is a great idea).
September 12th
Breakfast looking out over the prarie. The living room has kitchen, dining and lounge
areas and glass on 3 sides giving a glorious view. Although this is a flat area you can
just see the tops of a mountain range in the distance.
Downtown Calgary is our first port of call. Modern city with just a few highrise
buildings. Lots of sandstone buildings gave centre a european feel.
The Calgary Tower dominates.
Large bookshop where we browse and then have an early lunch.
Couple of hours in the Glenbow museum.
4 floors of exhibits we only managed one.
Display and artifacts from early settlers which I found facinating.
The First Nation area was good too.
Only moan was that it
Frieze at Tyrell
Entrance to Tyrell Museum wasn't clear which path to take so order was a bit jumbled.
Ed cooked tea for us and his meatballs were a huge success with Owen and Rory.
Boys tried to help Sue feed the horses but they were in a skittish mood, racing round
and this worried Rory a bit.
More chat and music for the adults, more TV for the boys.
September 13th
Quiet day, washing, sorting and packing. After having a car for a month we have
'collected' far too much extra stuff.
Short trip into Airdrie which is a fairly big town.
More successful with the horses today. Rory actually managed to feed Joe by hand.
Relaxing evening with the family photo albums.
Took snaps of some of the pictures.
Alex brace yourself, we have a couple of corkers of you which we will show to your
family if you misbehave.
September 14th
Up early to say our farewells.
We have had a super time and are sorry to leave. We agree with Ed and Sue that next time
we will stay longer.
Calgary airport one of the best we have used so far.
Arrive in L.A. mid
Horseshoe Canyon
Too wet to venture down afternoon. It is warmer here and there are so many people!
Hotel not in one of the better areas but the facilities are good.
The rooms are set around the pool/courtyard and are clean and spacious.
The art on the walls is not to my taste but I love the chandeliers!
Take away for tea. There are loads of cheap fast food shops covering any style of
cuisine you could want. It helps to know some Spanish as English is not always the first
language of the shop keepers.
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Tim
non-member comment
City of Calgary
I spent a month's holiday in Calgary with my aunt and uncle back in 1974. A great place in canada. My aunt and uncle is still living there and was visited by my mum last year. Best regards