Calgary - sights and scenes

A bit of free time downtown

Lou is getting into the spirit!

Music and dancing in the streets

We heard that the town is "Cowboy" for the 2 weeks of Stampede-

then everyone returns to normal.

Wonderland Sculpture

It is about 39 ft. tall, meant to represent young people's dreams 

in the province (Alberta). It's a unique sculpture that can be viewed 

from the inside. 

The BOW Building is a  world acclaimed crescent shaped skyscraper in Calgary.

Back at the fairgrounds we are able to view some of the other events.

The Motocross exhibition is pretty crazy!

Stunt dogs are a popular show.

These dogs are all rescue dogs and have been trained to do all sorts of tricks-

weaving thru the poles in the view, jumping into a pool, juggling with frisbees.

We loved the Canadian Minature Horse Show

These beautiful animals are easier to train, feed, keep, 

and they are a delight to watch!

These are the real 'work horses'.

Lovey animals used for centuries to settle the lands.

Unique sculptures everywhere.

The Chuckwagon Races

This was probably one of our favorites.

3 of these chuckwagons (with 4 horses each) did a simultaneous barrel race 

around the 3 barrels, 

then around the race track.

Very exciting to watch!

They are just starting, and trying not to touch the barrels.

The final home stretch - purple wagon clearly in front!

A great day,  (long) and a night view of the Calgary Tower

where we had breakfast this morning 

on the floor that rotates 360 degrees while you eat.

 

Calgary Stampede - The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth

And "The Greatest Crowd " 

just to get in.

Last year there were 1.4 million visitors for the festivities.

One of the more interesting outfits.

Our tour provides reserved seats - in the middle, right up high.

(Pictures are hard to take!)

Junior Bull Ride

Bull Riding

Saddle Bronc Riding

Barrel Racing

Kids and the wild ponies.

(The ponies won)

Steer Wrestling

Display of the horses they keep and breed on the Alberta ranches 

for working in the Stampede.

Quite a day - watching all the spills. tumbles, and victories.

Our tour package includes all the train tickets we need to go from the 

"campground" to the Fair Grounds.

It generally takes 30  to 40 minutes for the train to Stampede grounds, after a 10 minute walk from our camper.

All in all it is A LOT of walking for the 4 days we were at the fair.

We should be in better shape after all this!

Our 'campground' looks like an RV lot!

They provide electric, wi'fi',water refill (if needed) and a 

"honey bucket" sewer service half way thru the time.

A great time was had by all!

Lake Louise, Moraine Lake

WHAT A TREAT!!

Apparently it used to be easy to drive your own car to 

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, 

but with the huge crowds of tourists, you now should secure a reservation with a tour or at least a shuttle as parking usually fills at 9 AM and costs $36.00.

The beautiful blue-green color comes from the glacial 'rock flour' 

of suspended rock particles.

This chateau started out as a log cabin in 1890.

Today, a room in this Chateau costs over (ca $2,222 ) per night.

Our tour guide told us that she was only allowed into the circle drive because one of her clients had rented a room there.

To get a bit of history on the area, read this from the 
Historic Hotels website.

"In 1890, Canadian Pacific Railway general manager Cornelius Van Horne had a one-story log cabin constructed on the shore of Lake Louise. This small log cabin had one central area that was used as a dining room, office, bar, and gathering room, as well as a kitchen, and two small bedrooms. He called it “Chalet Lake Louise,” which hosted visitors from various stations along the railway line. While just 50 guests stayed in 1890, by 1912, that number had risen to 50,000. Despite two fires, his tiny cabin would become today’s Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. In August 1896, American lawyer Philip Abbot fell to his death while climbing Mount Lefroy. His was the first recorded death from mountaineering in North America. His unfortunate death influenced the Canadian Pacific Railway to hire two professional Swiss mountain guides for the safety of visitors wishing to reach the summit. These guides taught thousands of visitors and locals to mountain climb and ski over the next 55 years."

It was considered the "Hollywood of the North" with the filming of movies, horseback riding and skiing.

Today they rent canoes that are painted he iconic Canadian  Red.

I did see a blue one, but the tour guide said it was a local who brought his own.

The Valley of Ten Peaks is truly spectacular.

MORAINE LAKE

I'm not sure I have ever seen any lake this gorgeous--

Incredible!

We enjoyed going up the Rockpile Trail, because of the fabulous view.

No, we didn't see any climbers on the Tower of Babel,

but it was so interesting to see a reference to it.

In recent years, due to the increase in tourism, it is only possible to enter the road to the Moraine Lake if you have a room reservation at that Lodge, or on a tour.

We were glad we were able to book a tour!

From what I could tell by surfing, the cost a room at Moraine Lake would probably be about $1,000-$1,500 (us) per night

then you could drive right up to the Lodge!.

(Now we are moving on to Calgary and the Stampede)

Stay tuned.

Banff Gondola

The Banff Gondola is a trip certainly worth doing.

Spectacular view of the town of Banff.

Enjoyed seeing lots of the bighorn sheep.

Lots of people climbing the 385 (or so) steps to the top of the mountain.

The indoor cafe was a real treat.

Great seafood chowder and a spectacular burger.

We ordered the desert because we didn't understand what the menu said.

It was good!

Enjoying the views after a large lunch.

They're so cute!

The view on the way down afforded a view of the whole U shaped valley 

carved by the glacier.

Back in town, the deer are feeding at the train station.

Feel free to comment ( and add your name, please)