My computer hates me this trip, I have already typed and "saved" a post from Calgary, but it too has gone, like all the emails I have tried to send.....
Calgary, what to say..... Closed on Sunday, everything except a few bars/pubs, and a few restaurants which opened later in the day for dinner.
There is quite a nice long "mall" which is a street which is closed to all traffic during the day and early evening. Lots of tables and chairs out in the street, and hundreds of blooming flower pots make it rather nice. The weather has been brilliant, every day sunny and dry.
We went for a long walk and found ourselves - again - confronted by a collection of drug users, and a clinic into which they seemed to come and go. Queues of people lining up for free clothing? Seemed odd to us. Elderly people, many Chinese, comb the streets' rubbish bins collecting bottles and cans which can be recycled. Very sad, but I guess a sign of the times.
Generally not a lot to recommend Calgary, although it seems on the surface, to be fairly prosperous.
Tuesday Morning saw us being picked up by Harvey and June, our friends from Sasketchewan.
We had a lovely drive, mostly through very flat countryside, but typical late summer, lots of crops still to be harvested, and thousands of large rolls of hay bailed and waiting for collection.
We found ourselves in a very small town called Macleod on Tuesday night, and booked into an amazingly ugly and basic motel - absolutely a replica to those you see depicted in bad American movies...... However, the sheets were clean, and we didn't have a lot of choice!!
We sat out in the carpark having a pre-dinner drink - hilarious. This was followed by excellent pizza in the local 'joint' up the road - very surprising, and much enjoyed.
Today........Wednesday
What an amazing day... We drove through mile after mile of farming land, upon which there are literally hundreds of wind turbines.... In the distance there were amazing mountains appearing - actually a continuation of the Canadian Rockies, but by now very close to the border between Alberta and Montana.
Every turn we took was more amazing than the last, and we were absolutely in awe of what was before us. We entered a National Park called Waterton National Park, and this was truly spectacular; a beautiful lake, with, of course, an amazing hotel at the uppermost point - looking directly down the lake. The surrounding mountains were fantastic, and we couldn't stop exclaiming!!!!! We did a walk right along one side of the lake, stopping eventually at an area which has been allowed to go totally wild, and which is designated "bear country"!!! It also serves as an unofficial barrier to the American border which is about 200 metres away - no doubt would-be illegals might give some serious thought to entering the USA via Grizzly bear country!!!
We reluctantly left Waterton and drove on, out of the mountains. This is definitely Mormon country, there are churches everywhere, and most of the farms are owned by Mormons for miles around. Odd to think that this settlement is so exclusively settled by people of one religion....
We are spending the night in the town of Cardston, which is most definitely a major Mormon town. As well as at least two "normal" Mormon churches in town, there is a monstrous citadel, or whatever, right on top of the hill - obviously ousted the Catholics here - and it's seriously a 'dry' town!!!
Had dinner at the local Chinese restaurant, and against the advice of locals, ordered four dishes for four people. OMG - there really was enough food for at least eight people put on the table, and we were appalled. We took the leftovers away with us, and have a car fridge with us, so that will be lunch tomorrow. The entire meal cost us about CAD$50........ No alcohol of course, so that always keeps things nice!
Hope everyone's fit and well, we are having a wonderful time, and Harvey and June have shown us so much, we cannot believe it, and are so indebted to them.
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