Calgary, Hell or High Water 2013

In early July of this year, Calgary was hit with a 100 year flood.  Initially there were severe doubts as to weather the Calgary Stampede could be produced.  The loss of $350 million dollars to this economy would have been devastating.  The parade presented on Friday made a strong statement that The Show Must Go ON.

Adventure Caravans had us on a bus at 7:30, a miracle {for 2 couples} after the BBQ they put on last night.  We had reserved street side bleacher seats, unfortunately the parade processed thru a shaded area which made photography difficult.  We had about a 2 hour wait during which we enjoyed various street performers and talked amongst our fellow travelers.  An enterprising youth group did a lively business selling chalk to budding artists.  Ann-Marie talked a child out of a piece of chalk and marked our location for future posterity.  The crowd estimated at 1 million was very well behaved as was the huge traffic flow before and after the parade.  We walked 3 blocks to our bus and simply drove away after 3 blocks of traffic.

Following the parade, we were bussed to The Alberta Heritage Village.  This village is a reconstruction of a circa 1915 typical prairie town in this area.    The building on the right houses a an nice collection of antique motor cars and early gasoline pumps.  There is also a very nice restaurant where we were treated to a leisurely lunch prior to our tour.  Note the large windows overlook the auto museum.

Heritage Village Scenes VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

 

 

 

 

I was delighted to find a period Masonic Lodge.  The photo shows a group of Brothers in a parade.  Climbing the stairs, I was surprised to find 3 Brothers who greeted me and presented me a certificate of welcome after I had signed the visitor’s log for visiting Brothers.

 

 

 

 

 

Today {Sunday} we are going back to the stampede for a very busy schedule that concludes with fireworks this evening.  A 13 hour day and we get no overtime!

We have traveled about 3,000 mile since early spring, tomorrow we will move about 100 miles west into Bannif Provincial Park where will dry camp for a few days.