For The Love of Travel

We travelled to the Pass to stay at mine hosts’ country retreat for a few days….a delightful mountain cottage, where local deer hop over the fence to sample delicious grasses and plants :). We had all weather possibilities while staying – rain, snow and brilliant blue days with sun. That’s the changeable Pass for you.

A visit to the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre to learn about the rock slide that buried part of the mining town of Frank in 1903. Over 82 million tons of limestone rock slid down Turtle Mountain within 100 seconds, obliterating the eastern edge of Frank, the Canadian Pacific Railway line and the coal mine, killing about 90 people. Also to learn about the worst coal mining disaster after a gas explosion, that occurred at Hillcrest in 1914 in the Pass, where 189 of 228 workers were killed. Very moving films and exhibits at the Centre that covered the history. 

A lovely photogenic Burmis tree, standing like a sentinel on Highway 3, that’s a limber pine that lived for over 300 years before it died around 1978. It is beautiful, in its rugged windswept way – a perfect symbol for the Pass, an image of tough survival against all odds – two different sunrise images for you.  Also visited the lovely Lundbreck Falls.

Then to Fort MacLeod and the Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo Jump development, which is a UNESCO Designated World Heritage site that preserves and interprets over 6,000 years of Plains Buffalo culture. Local First Nations’ (Piikani and Bloods) staff the facility. 

My friend Frits, as Director of Historic Sites Service and Archives for the Alberta government over 20 years, increased the Province’s museums and interpretive sites from 3 to 15, including the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre and H-S-I-B Jump. Very honoured that he was able to guide me around these 2 incredible sites and discuss the history.

Brilliant weather to explore Cardston (a town settled in 1887 by Mormons from Utah, with a striking temple and Fay Wray fountain), the Waterton Lakes National Park, the Prince of Wales Hotel and its surrounding mountains and Cameron Falls. 

And the incredible Cinnamon Bear bakery back in the Pass, with tempting savoury and sweet treats, like the Pecan Slice – nom, nom, nom! 

 

 

 

 

Drove to see a little of Kananaskis country on the way through to Calgary, and stopped off at the photogenic Barrier Lake.

Got to Calgary and rendezvoused with Canadian friends, Frits and Janice. They have put me up in their lovely apartment and check out the day and night view …..incredible!  A walk by Calgary Tower at night was pretty spesh! 

This is the Famous 5 sculpture by Edmonton sculptor Barbara Paterson in Calgary’s Olympic Plaza.  Paterson captured the five women at the moment they reunited over a cup of tea to celebrate their victory in 1929, in the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, where they succeeded in having women legally considered persons so that they could be appointed to the Senate. 

A lovely catch up over dinner and then entertainment at the Jack Singer Concert Hall – a high-energy trans-Balkan musical extravaganza with the Goran Bregović Wedding and Funeral Band. Lauded worldwide for his fusion of rock and Balkan folk music, Goran and his band brought us a raucous Balkan party. It was a lot of fun. 

The next day, took myself to downtown and visited the Calgary Tower, with sweeping views over the city. A grey day but still a great view, especially of one section of the amazing “Plus 15” pedestrian skywalk system, with a total length of 18 kms and 62 bridges. The skywalks are 15 feet above street level and provide Calgarians with a warm and safe system for accessing shops and business locations when the temperature outside is -30 degrees.

Next, to the Bow Building has an art installation outside called “Wonderland” – a 12 metre bent-wire head of a young girl created by Spanish sculptor, Jaume Plensa. It has an entrance in the neck area, so viewers can wander through and look at the city from different vantage points.

On my way to the Glenbow Museum, I passed by the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer who had displayed over 7,000 knitted and crocheted poppies outside its church building to commemorate the 100th anniversary of WW1 armistice. 

After a sumptuous dinner and opportunity to catch up with mine hosts’ lovely relatives Mark and Wendy – Janice drove me to Scotchman’s Hill for a pic over Calgary at night, with the extraordinary curve of the stadium in the foreground; then to the illuminated Peace Bridge, and then to North Hill for a different city perspective….a good night’s work, all in all.

A beautiful sunrise this morning over Okanagan Lake as I farewelled friends Jacqui and Jack. Off to Canmore, a 455 kms drive along the Trans Canada highway to the north-east, and once again hopping over the border to Alberta. An uneventful journey, stopping a few times to stretch everything, with yet again glorious mountain and snow views. 

Got into Canmore about 16:00 and the Georgetown Inn where I was staying, had taken great care and pride in decorating the entrance area to the hotel, in anticipation of Halloween. Very quaint!

Drove to a couple of places to take photos – “Rundle Forebay reservoir” and a view of “Three  Sisters” peaks from the newly developed Malcolm (luxury) Hotel.