Gail and I were invited by our good friends, the Stuarts,Rosemary and Chris, whom we met on a Mediterranean Cruise in 2006 to visit with them in Calgary Alberta, Canada. Our plans had us visit the Calgary Stampede as well as take a tour of the Canadian Rockies through Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper.
We departed Denver in the afternoon of Thursday, July 5th, about 6:00 pm on United Airlines and arrived in Calgary about 2 hours and 10 minutes later. The weather was warm and the flight was relatively smooth. After retriving our luggage and going thru Canadian Customs, we were met by our hosts, Rosemary and Chris. They had arranged for us to be Branded as people of Calgary. In the Terminal we were met by a welcoming group called the White Hatters, also arrange by Chris and Rosemary.The White hatters presented us with a Certificate to show that we have become Honorary Calgarian.
Welcoming Group
In addition Chris and Rosemary and the Whitehatters presented us with the "White Hat Ceremony (complete with a White Hat for each of us) as a Symbol of Hospitality.
The White Hat has become the the Symbol of Hospitality. Since 1950, beginning with the elected Mayor of Calgary, Don MacKay, white hats were distributed as gifts to all visiting dignitaries and soon the symbol of the white hat was well established.
The Calgary Convention and Vistor Bureau eventually took on the tradition of presenting the White Hat to dignitaries. The ceremonies today are conducted in most instances by the White Hat Volunteers at the Airport, by Tourism Calgary within the City and the Mayor for visiting dignitaries.
The Stuart's Domicile
Chris and Rosemary's house is located in the Northwest area of Calgary in the Silver Springs group of homes. The location is convienent to get to the mountains as well as to the airport.Flowers abound in both the front and back yard.
About a block from Chris and Rosemary's house is the Site of the Downhill ski jumps, built for the 1988 Winter Olympics and is still used today as part of a recreational ski area. The ski jumps are part of the Canada Olympic Park which is a city landmark. Next to the ski jumps is the three floor Museum of the Winter Olympic Games.
In addition you can get an excellant view of the Bow River, the valley and a view of the TransCanada Highway in the far distance. The Bow river has it start in the Canadian Rockies and comes down from Banff. At the confluence of the Bow and the Elbow Rivers, the NWMP estabished a post at Fort Macleod.
The Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede has a long history starting in 1912. It is the largest Stampede and Rodeo in the world. The city of Calgary really gets behind this whole affair.
To view images from Day 1 of the Stampede, just click the : DAY 1 Stampede
To see a larger image please click on the thumbnails and than use the arrows at the Top of page.
To see a larger image please click on the thumbnails and than use the arrows at the Top of page.
To view images from Day 2 of the Square Dancing, just click the : DAY 2 Square Dancing
The Rodeo is a Tournament with 20 of the world's highest ranked competitors quaifiying in six major event - Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Bull Riding, Tie-Roping, Steer Wrestling and Ladies Barrel Racing.
To view images from Day 2 of the Rodeo and Indian Village, just click the : Stampede - Rodeo
To see a larger image please click on the thumbnails and than use the arrows at the Top of page.
Canmore
On Day 3 we went to the airport to pick up our rental car and then headed into the mountains for Banff. Our Luncheon stop was at the mountain town of Canmore.
The town of Canmore lies in the Bow Valley, 64 miles from Calgary and 28 miles from Banff. It is perceive as the gateway to the mountain national parks. It has transformed itself from a coal-mining town to a hotbed of recreational pursuits.
The Candian Pacific Railway chose the Bow Valley as the route through the mountains, with the first divisional point west of Calgary at what is now Canmore. The Mining on Three Sisters commenced soon after.
At the east end of the main street is Canmore's original NWMP post, built in 1892. It is the oldest building in Canmore and is one of the few such posts still in its original position.
Banff
The town of Banff is a bustling community of 7,000 people. It plays host to approximately 4 million vistors through the year.We stay a couple of nights at The Rundle Stone Lodge.
The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotelhas grown with the town of Banff and is an intergral part of it's history. The hotel began to be built in 1886 and finished in1928. The original hotel was owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway until 2000 when bought by the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts chain.
To view images of Banff and the area, just click the : Banff and Area
Lake Louise
About 35 miles northwest of Banff along the TransCanada Highway is Lake Louise. Lake Louise with Mount Victoria (11,350 ft) and the Victoria Glacier in the background makes for a spectacular view along with the emerald-green waters. At one time Victoria Glacier covered the whole lake. It then formed a "terminal Moraine" which acted as a dam to hold meltwater. As the glacier retreated the Lake was formed.
To view images of Lake Louise and the area, just click the : Lake Louise and Area
Jasper
At the top end of the Icefields Parkway, 174 miles north of Banff is the town of Jasper. We arrived on Tuesday about 4:00 pm. We spent two nights at the Bear Hill Lodge.
We spent Wednsday visiting Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake. Maligne Lake is the largest Glacier fed lake in the Canadian Rockies and second largest in the world. The Lake is also the longest and second deepest lake in Canad's Rockies. Mry Schaffer first made the world aware of Maligne Lake.
To view images of Jasper, Lake Malign and the area, just click the : Jasper, Maligne Lake and Area
Columbia Icefield
The Columbia Icefield is an incredible geographical feature that was part of the forces that shaped the surface of the planet as we know it today. The Columbia Icefield straddles the Great Divide and has a size of 125 miles. The Columbia Icefield also straddles Banff and Jasper National Parks, and contributes significally to their designations as United Nations World Heritage Sites.
The Columbia Icefield is a remnant of the last major glacition that covered most of Canada 20,000 years ago and has survived because of its elevation at 6,230-9,190ft above sea level, cold temperatures and heavy snowfalls. From the main body of the ice cap, which sits astride the Continental Divide, six glaciers creep doen three main valleys.
The Athabasca Glacier is the most accessible and can be seen from the Icefields Parkway; it is one of the world's few glaciers that you drive up to.
To view images of the Columbia Icefields and the area, just click the : The Columbia Icefield
Going Home and a Summary of Trip to Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Going along the TransCanada Highway the scenic views of Canadian Rockies are stunning. Every turn you see another awsome view. It's interesting to note that there are no roads which take you to the top of the Canadian Rockies.
While travling along the TransCanada Highway you have the opportunity to see a number of different wildlife. We saw two Black Bears, one deer and two herds of Mountain Goats.
Both Gail and I want to express our thanks to our hosts, Chris and Rosemary,. Their hospitality was outstanding and I would highly recommend their Bed and Breakfast. We also would never have seen the spectaclor views of the Canadian Rockies, let the alone the wonderful experience of seeing the Calgary Stampede, the largest Rodeo in the world. We cannot Thank you enough. We hope in the future to see you in Colorado again.
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