We were up and out promptly, early for BC time, but an hour later in Alberta. The weather forecast was for rain with us. Calgary had had crazy amounts of rain on Sunday, Canmore was flooded, Kananaskis, where Richelle wanted to take us hiking was inaccessible with mud slides and bridges washed out, and the Trans Canada road had been blocked, with another fatality on Sunday too. We were a little nervous about the 4 1/2 hour journey ahead of us!
The rain up to the high point of Rogers Pass was fairly horrendous, though once we'd gone over it did calm down a little. Our plan was to stop at Wapta falls (yes, another waterfall) at the halfway point. It was touch and go whether we would be in rain or not. We got the last spot in the carpark and it wasn't raining, a good sign surely?
It said it was 2.2km, but I asked a couple if they'd been and they said it had taken them an hour in and probably 45minutes out. That seemed a long time, longer than I wanted to spend so we set off at a pace. We got to the first view point just as the rain started, but we went to the next two points before turning round and marching out at a great rate of knots. There were far more people walking out than had been at the falls so we guess they were put off by the rain. Walking two abreast, with their umbrellas did make them difficult to overtake. Brian had almost made it past the front runners when he slipped in the mud, right in front of them. Very damaging for the ego, and somehow his head and his rotator cuff in his left shoulder! And he'd been worried about me and my ankle!
Lunch, fabulous chicken sandwiches with the leftover roast we'd had for dinner for the last two nights, and we carried on. I messaged Richelle, as we passed Banff and got phone signal who seemed a little surprised at our progress.
We arrived in good time, about a minute before Richelle who had been at the grocery store, stocking up for us. The dogs went mad and it was just like coming home. She was still bewailing the weather for the end of June and just to back her up, it threw it down, again. Who cares, it's margarita and fajita night and we are having a chilling day tomorrow!
Day 51 Wednesday Calgary
We'd planned a chilled day, and a chilled day we had. We chatted, cuddled dogs, ate, drank and finally made it out on the lake. Not necessarily in that order. The weather cleared up, finally, and Richelle and I went out for a paddle, using the board as a kayak. I did stand up, but didn't go far, didn't want to fall in, but I did get up and safely down again.
We made the mistake of coming too close to Brian, the dock and the dogs, but fortunately big dog Morgan opted for Richelle's board while I just had Bailey as a figure head. A job she did remarkably well, she even transferred boards without causing any upsets. Brian did have a quick go but his shoulder wasn't up to too much, though it is feeling better.
A thoroughly enjoyable day, just what we needed.
Day 52 Thursday Calgary
The day for a hike, though not where Richelle had been planning, that was still a no go area. We headed out to Blue rock provincial park, to see what we could see. Because we weren't going as far we could take 14 year old Bailey too so that was a plus.
The scenery was different from anything else we'd seen, not as jaw dropping as the Rockies, but very pretty and without the crowds. I was sitting in the front, as chief spotter, much to Bailey's disgust. This is her seat! I'm not sure she's have pointed out the deer or the bear that I did though.
We had to do a linear walk, picking our way carefully to avoid the mud and standing water. The circular walk was out as that involved crossing the river on some stones we couldn't even see! We'd expected to carry Bailey at some point, but she'd trotted along with her tail on the air and done the whole walk. Until she got back to the car when even getting in was a problem.
We moved on to a picnic spot for lunch before continuing on to Diamond Valley where Richelle's daughter Colleena lives with her boyfriend. We met her dogs and horses before leaving our two dogs with her so we could go to the pub (she was invited obviously, but had a stinking cold, so declined). It was wing night at the brewery, so along with some very tasty beer we had 2lb of wings between us. Fabulous.
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| The river was very full after the recent rain |
Pick up the dogs and home for a shower and chill on the terrace.
I'm glad we had our shower as I was woken up in the night by a hideous screeching noise in the utility room. I woke Brian, who identified which bit of the hot water system it probably was, but I still needed to wake Richelle, two floors up. Sensibly she flicked the breaker on the whole system, the noise stopped and we all went back to bed.
Day 53 Friday Calgary
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| Arriving at the Calgary Stampede. The sign says its the greatest outdoor show in the world! |
Our last full day in Canada and we had a big day planned, we were off to the opening day of the Calgary Stampede. We left the house at 11.30, no cowboy boots, but jeans, check shirts and denim jackets. Parked at the nearby station and got on the C train to take us to the showground, along with an awful lot of other people. We walked through the rides, fast food wagons and fairground games trying not to lose each other. It was like a fair in the UK but on an entirely different scale. Then there were the barns with stock, stalls, the 'heavy' Clydesdale Horses, all sorts of things we weren't used to.
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| Jackie and Richelle consult the programme to plan our day |
We didn't have too long to wander though, the rodeo started at 13.30. We'd left Richelle to get seats and they were great, not far off centre, level 2 and enough rows back to be undercover in case of sun or rain. We had no idea what was going on but we had the perfect guide. I've still lost track of all the events but there was bareback bucking bronco riding, saddled bronco riding, ladies barrel race, roping and all sorts. The one that changed the few in the stadium though was steer wrestling. The first two competitors were disqualified as they lassoed the steer but then it flew through the air landing on its back. They both got up and trotted away, but it was horrible to watch. I don't think the man sitting next to me approved of me cheering for the calf!
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| The three of us in front of the Calgary Stampede sculpture |
It was all an absolute experience. There was another moment though, one of the novice bareback riders was thrown almost immediately, and almost appeared to have been knocked out before he hit the floor as he went straight down without any attempt to break his fall, and then didn't move. It's been impossible to find out what happened to him and it just shows how dangerous the whole thing is. So that was three hours during which we'd eaten doughnuts and the sandwiches we'd taken. We walked the park a little more before stopping for a drink and something to eat. We caught a little of the BMX show, and saw all sorts of hideous things we didn't want to eat.
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| We had really good seats in the grandstand. This was the opening ceremony with the Canadian National Anthem, 'O Canada' being sung |
We then went back into the stadium for the evening. Most people wouldn't do all this in one day, but it was now or never. The evening is chuck wagon racing, bareback relay from the First Nations, which isn't one horse many riders, but one rider, many horses. They were amazing. Then there was the stadium show. A whole stage was tractored in. Bands, dancers, singers and performers. The headline actually was High Valley a multi platinum country band which didn't mean anything to us but obviously did to a lot of people. The acts were amazing, gymnasts, tap dancers and two brothers, Sylla brothers, who I almost couldn't watch as it seemed almost certain one of them would fall.
Then there was the drone light show, then the fireworks, it was not what we expected but amazing.
We were out by 23.15 and amazingly managed to squeeze onto the first train home. A glass of wine and some snacks rounded off a brilliant day, and was a great finale to our Canada trip.
Have a look at this Youtube video showing parts of the various crazy races
Day 54 and 55 home.
We tried to sleep in, but it's not easy, so a gentle start. Pack, walk the dogs, sensible lunch before heading off to the airport for our flight home. Air Canada might be my new favourite airline. Once you've checked in your bags you get notified that they have been received, that they have been loaded, unloaded and on the carousel. That's really good for the Jackanoia.
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| Out for a final walk with the dogs on our last day |
The flight was ok, the usual, only 8 1/2 hours so by the time you've watched a movie and been fed, and then woken up for breakfast there isn't much time for uncomfortable sleeping. A long wait for our Bus home, which departed on time and actually arrived early. Then the train to Alvechurch and walk home. Now it's Sunday at 18.00. Throw open all the windows and then visit the co-op to get something for dinner and breakfast and then struggle to stay awake till a sensible going to bed time.
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| We were looking for beavers in the river but settled for this deer |
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| And this very cute squirrel. That's all from Canada for now, we're now back in Blighty where the weather is tropical - 31C today! |
