To Calgary

Off to Calgary today, only 100 kilometres so we treated ourselves to a sleep in and got on the road about 10am.  Got into the city centre about 11.30 on this Sunday morning and it was like driving into Brisbane 30 years ago.  No trading and the streets are deserted.  We found a car park easily and walked to the Calgary Tower in the centre of town.  Walked through the Mall and the only people there were a few vagrants being harassed by the local Police.

Got to the tower and in a moment of madness, Pam came to the top with me.  It was a great view of the city, with the Rockies to the west and wide flat prairie to the east.  Took a few photos then back down and had coffee.  Decided to walk to the Eau Claire Markets down near the river.  Walked through quickly as there wasn’t really anything to see despite what the tourist brochures claim.

Left there as I’d seen a bit of activity out one of the side entrances.  Walked around the corner and fell into a group of walkers towards the Prince Island Park.  We soon realised we’d joined the ‘Calgary Aids Walk’.  We were the only ones not in red t-shirts with ‘Love Safely’ written in bold white writing on the front.  Trying to get away we walked across the pedestrian bridge to the island, on the way was a sign, ‘Smile for the camera, your photo could later be used in future Aids related promotional material’.  Needless to say there wasn’t much smiling going on at that time.   Walked around the island then back over the bridge and found ourselves at the finish line of the walk, there was a bit of cheering, I think it was for the guy in the wheelchair and the red t-shirt and not for us.

Got well away from this area, watched a cowboy busker doing amazing things with a lasso.  They were amazing until he lost control of the rope, got it tangled in his ankles and almost landed on his face.  I didn’t have the heart to go and give him $2 for entertainment, I just pretended I didn’t see anything and kept walking.  I think he preferred it that way.

Found a shopping centre open and wandered around there lazily for a while and headed for our B&B about 4 o'clock.  Thank goodness we had Kylie SatNav with us.  Simply put the directions go something like this - the address is 4 Signal Ridge Court, Signal Hill...simple.....  Turn into Signal Hill Drive, left into Signal Hill Way, right into Signal Hill Mews, right into Signal Hill Point SW, left into Signal Hill Terrace, continue to Signal Hill Heights, left into Signal Ridge Court and it’s number 4, about half way up Signal Hill.  Poor Kylie needs a lie down.  The locals aren't loving it.

Settled in, checked emails then went for supplies.

Keeping the streets safe.

Up, up and away.

Downtown Calgary looking south.

On the glass floor.

From the street to the sky.

Looking through the glass floor to the tower and street.

The BMO Centre where the Calgary Stampede is held each year.

The road in from the Rockies over Bow River.

Pam really did make the trip.

A walk in the park, what could go wrong?

Made it to the finish, we are so proud of ourselves.

Glass buildings with reflections in Downtown Calgary.