Today we rode 178 miles.
Our day started out rainy and cold. Our route took us through Banff but since we had been on that same road on our way to Golden the day before, I didn't take any pictures. All we wanted to do was get to Banff so we could stop for a hot chocolate and breakfast. It was 38 degrees with rain and sleet. After breakfast, we went to the Harley dealership and got face masks and I got a fleece headband. It was perfect. We headed on toward Calgary and when we got within 50 miles of Calgary, the weather turned nice.
The Calgary Stampede is like the Iowa State Fair on steroids with every.single.person. dressed in western gear and cowboy hats. Our hotel was right on the rail system and only one stop away from the Stampede so it was really easy going back and forth.
There were two reasons for going to the Stampede. We wanted to see the draft horse show and we wanted to go to the chuckwagon races. The highlight of the draft horse show was the Calgary Philharmonic! Seriously, they were so much better than organ music {which drives me nuts - and the reason I can't watch baseball}.
The SECOND highlight of the draft horse show was getting on the KISS CAM!!! Can you believe the luck!? It was hilarious. We barely got in our seats and Dave said, 'We're on the kiss cam!" Thank goodness noone had their camera pointed at the screen!
We had friends showing at the draft show and it was really good to see Marsha and Kyle {Kyle drives for Country Lane Belgians} and they got reserve World Champion Six-Up. That's them in the blue wagon.
That night we went to the Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races. It's a wild and crazy time. Love them and, thankfully, only one wagon went over.
We sat next to a couple from Canada. It was their 35th year at the Stampede. She asked where we were from and when I told her we were from Iowa, she said, "welcome to Canada. We're happy to have you visit." It is so apparent that the Canadians have a lot of pride and loyalty to their country. It was apparent in everything we saw and heard. Alberta is also very ethnically diverse. I highly doubt they are politically correct in anything they do. It seems they pretty much go with the flow and accept everyone for who they are. Kind of refreshing, eh?
These cutie pies were adorable. Of course, the girl won!
After the chuckwagon races, we stayed for the night show. It was truly an Extravaganza! My pictures don't do justice but it was fantastic. I was disappointed in our seats. I purchased them months ago and, even then, they were almost sold out. We were in the last row right behind the cameramen. Even so, the show was great.
Last but not least....I miss my girl. She's very lucky {as am I} to have Alyssa care for her. I have a feeling she will sleep for a week when she gets home. She is not used to a lot of activity as she mainly sleeps at my feet all day while I work. I can't wait to get her home.
Tomorrow: Whitefish, MT
Looks like an amazing time in Calgary! Can't wait to hear about the races...how awesome to see that caliber of chuck wagon racing.
ReplyDeleteHope you can snuggle up on the bike when you have the cold days. ��❤️��
Can't wait to have you home!