Calgary, Alberta

The $20 CAD trim.

We left Watertone Park and headed to Calgary. This is Fort McMurray one of the" old towns" on the way. Barbershop was a classic as was the barber.  The landscape was dead flat arable country. Thousands of hectares of oats, barley etc interpersed by the odd house. Dozens of silos and we spotted a line up of 16 combine harvesters. If you mistakenly left your lunch on a post before you started you would not get back to it by lunchtime as the paddocks were massive. Big areas farmed by Bretheren and Amish.

Arrived to the west of Calgary at Jeff's friend Brenda. She was on the Contiki trip with Jeff in 1979. She lives in a condominium (duplex, semi detached) with her sister. Very generous of them to host us for a couple of days.

Next day went for a  morning walk in Gifford Park, 93ha in the city. Took in the Heritage Park also that houses the "Gasoline Alley" display Jeff wanted to see.

Gifford Park

Gasoline Alley

Hertage Park

Lunch was at a "farmer market". We did admire all the trays of raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries. Blueberries worked out to $20NZD for 2kgs!! If only at home.

Next day lovely blue sky so a visit to the city to take in the river walk. This is 60km cycle/ walk with multiple bridges and passing through old and modern areas.  We were unable to rent cycles as shop closed ( for the Pride parade?) but walked 11km with lots of interesting things to see.

The river is used by paddle boarders, kayak and rafting folks. They have an area where the river has been diverted into manmade grades 1,2,3 rapids. 

Calgary downtown

Interesting mix 

This is on the leftbank, notice all the seating and wide enough for all users

Some of the steering left a bit to be desired. Canadian geese took it in their stride

This was a good cafe for a lunchbreak. Met a couple from Calgary and chatted for an hour. He was a local and his wife originally Mexico. Were good fun and he had backpacked in the late 70's in NZ. They travel extensively. Lamented the economy and politics of Justin Trudeau.

The city council have really tried to make river area, a valuable feature,  safe and fun for everyone. Someone worked out if you have lights on all night the vagrant population will not inhabit under the bridges so that folks do not have to step over sleepers and their detritus.

No light on this path underpass.

Many families use the Peace Park near the man made rapids as a picnic area. This is a holiday weekend - the end of sumner in Canada called Labour Day - plenty of families with an array of floatation devices.

Even the dog has a float device.

That evening we decided to check out the impro theatre called the Loose Moose in the city. Went to a nearby cafe "Cactus Club", manic but good meal. The theatre group of 12 were very good with all sorts of short ad lib acting which was "scored" by the audience.

Met a couple who had driven three hours to have a "date night" the distances folks drive astounds us.

We felt very brave driving back at 10pm on freeways in a city we did not know. Did ok!!

There is an area East of Calgary called Drumheller. A unique landscape and back in 1884 someone discovered it was choca with dinosaur remains. Paleontology heaven. There is magnificent  museum which we spent sometime in. Also landscape is nothing like we have seen before. Wind erosion of Bentonite, cyclonic floods, glaciers coming and going over millennia have crafted this. 

Known as the Hoodoos. 

We were appalled that folks could walk all over this lanscape. It was unique.

Local resident a few million years ago. There as literally dozens of dinosaur of every variety in the museum. According to the writeups various species came and went - extinct - depending on the then climate. Some like dry centuries, others wet, ice age or warmer periods. Evolution and a changing climate. Sounded very familiar without the hysterics.

Amazing to find complete specimens

So an interesting time in this part of Alberta. Travelling tomorrow to the west again towards Vancouver.

Revelstoke to Nelson to Waterton National Park

Bridge into Revelstoke

Our accommodation....the Courthouse Inn

So we left Revelstoke heading south towards Nelson taking the more secondary road. Took the car ferry from Shelter Bay to Galena across Upper Arrow Lake. Slick operation running every half hour. Asked one of the staff why the river level was so low. Seems there is a treaty between Canada and USA whereby the USA take water and hence the big tide mark. Even in the winter it was been this low. Understood the treaty to be all one way!!

Murky skies throught Canada from fires in USA and north BC.

Low lake level

Stopped for lunch before Naksup, then to New Denver. This is where there was an interment camp for Japanese Canadians. British Columbian goverment interned 23,000 Japanese Canadians in 1942 in several camps and this was one of them. Miserable huts with no water etc. At the end of WW2 government said they could go East of the country or leave Canada. Sophies Choice.

Jeff's famous lunches

Remains of the interment camp

Lake Kootenay. This lake is 100km long and 402 sq km in area. Just goes on and on. Both sides of the road wall to wall spruce etc so get the odd glimpse. Passed through an historic town called Kaslo, buildings have been preserved since 1890 well worth a stop, lots of water sport's underway with folks on their last week summer holidays.

 Into Nelson where we stayed at the Hume Hotel same era as Kaslo. Had kept a lot of the original features. Loved the old photos and a grand wooden staircase up to our 4th floor room. Had a nice feel in the town and actually has a main street with independent shops and an array of independent restuarants....Marzano recommended. Nelson like Revestoke and so many other places we have been to is all about skiing and nordic skiing. 

Nelson main street

Delightful photo on the landing in the Hume Hotel. Such a happy we face.

Next morning we tackled the Pulpit Rock hike. Again vista obscured by smoke but we saw yet another chipmunk. Did the town walk of historic buildings then hit the lake for a swim. Water was probably 16c but a 29c day so coped. Found a coffee shop which we enjoyed our second decent coffee since arrival.

Murky view to Nelson

Hiking poles at left for those that need one.

We are in love with Chipmunks

Real coffee at Osgo Negro

Beach on the lake .....bottom of the huge Kootenay

And yes we went in twice. Never thought we would swimming in a lake in Canada!

Some of the driving sights. Lots of iron disease here

Fab murals in some of the nowhere towns.

Left Nelson after two nights at the Hume Hotel and did the 6 hr drive to Waterton National Park. 29c on arrival with the lake well in use with paddle  boards etc. This National Park is very close to the USA border and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The lake is 148m deep at the upper end surrounded by more impressive mountains. Also known for the iconic Prince of Wales hotel which stands on a prominent position overlooking the hamlet. Was built in 1920 by The Great Canadian Railway company as a resort. Incredible building huge amount of timber, something like a Canadian Alpine version of Downtown Abbey.

Princeof Wales Hotel at Waterton

Great lounge and view out torre torrential rain notwithstanding

Our next day unfortunately was heavy rain and 11c!!! So a hike in the rain to Bertha Falls, laundry done and had  a look at said hotel. CAD $60 each for high tea CAD £450 per night,  in which we did not partake. Had a glass of wine and took in the atmosphere. Met a lovely young couple with baby who had driven from Red Deer by Edmonton just for the weekend. The distances folks drive.

Waterton hamlet

 Bertha Falls

Walking in the rain in Scottish coats and Japanese umbrellas