NWA, Please Send My Bag Home

It has been an amazing run of far flung destinations over the last few months and tonight I am home, a rare thing. I have always been known for itchy feet but a hot bath due to a wee to much riding in Alberta is soothing. A day getting the yard in shape while limping isn’t easy! In all the traveling recently I have done these past few months my trusty bags have always turned up, not this time. Northwest Airlines left them, well one anyway in MSP. Not really sure why one bag made it but the other didn’t, the flight was delayed by a few hours.

NWA is now a part of Delta and I got to say that the actual flights except for the one delay were pleasant and the flight attendants pretty nice. Certainly a trip to Calgary for the Stampede is worth a little trouble, but I have been waiting all day to hear about my bag, bring it home.

Going to Miss Alberta, Canada

Long but fabulous day here in Alberta, riding in the morning then a great car ride up to the Canadian Rockies. Now back at my luxury cabin at the Rocking R Guest Ranch and a hot tub for sore body parts done. The vista before me changes as the wind moves clouds across the prairie. I can only think what a week here.

Thunder storms and thundering horses, Stampede and horses calling, Alberta beef and friendly folks, it all has been grand. The west in me is stirred again, lived in AZ for 12 years. I now understand why Clapton sang, “Alberta, Alberta, Where you been so long”? Alberta now lives in a piece of my heart.

Big Day and Night at the Calgary Stampede

What a day it was in Calgary yesterday, from barns and mud to splendor and a massive stage show unparalleled in slick stage presence. Started the day checking out the barns where the horses for the chuck wagon races are kept. Chuck Wagon racing is not as it sounds, it is fast and thrilling and fraught with danger and outriders. Skill and knowledge is needed to do the course and get to the finish.

Last evening I dinned at Ranahans, the premium private venue located in the Grandstand of the Stampede. Western dress and great food in a beautiful space is heaven. Then I got up close and at the rail for the actual races to shoot hundreds of photos of the harried and hectic chuck wagon heats.

Ended the night with a show that blew me away, stage spectacles and fireworks mixed in with talent made it an extravaganza. This was one memorable day and just day three of the http://calgarystampede.com/
, seven more to go. Packing up and headed to a little road trip to Banff and then my base for the next two nights at the Rocking R Ranch. Time to saddle up!

Last Night at the Calgary Stampede

A great day at the Stampede and sadly my last, tonight though is the chuck wagon race and dinner at Ranahans an exclusive private club in the grandstand of the Stampede, like a private box at the Super Bowl. By all accounts this should be a night to remember, rodeo, fine food ending with fireworks, Yeeehaa!

The Calgary Stampede, The US 4th of July

It was so nice of the Calgary Stampede people to have played the US national anthem at the opening of the rodeo today as well as their own, a class act. I am rarely away during the 4th of July so it was gratifying and I salute the Stampede. Some of the top riders are American and in fact 10% of Calgary is US expats.

To be in the chutes as the bronco horses were let out was also an amazing experience, better in the chute than on the back of one. One gains a respect for those brave or crazy enough to climb on and ride. All in all I have become a rodeo fan, especially of the world’s biggest outdoor show, the Calgary Stampede.

Calgary Tower, a Beacon

It is the last thing I saw from my huge and wonderful bed at the Calgary Marriott last night and the first thing I saw this morning, the Calgary Tower. The structure rises 626 ft into the sky and is a landmark here in Calgary. At one time it was the tallest structure here but petrol dollars brought skyscrapers. Still it is the skyline star.

Stephen Ave. Walk Calgary

Got my boots, check, hat, jeans and cowboy shirt, check, check and check, now ready for Calgary. I walked Stephen Ave. after checking into the Marriott and enjoyed watching the excitement build for the start of the Calgary Stampede. Calgary has already impressed me with its vibe it buzzes. It is a young city the average age is 30 and I can tell that it rocks. The cowboy hats are out in full force and the streets are lively, let the games begin!

"The Week", Heading to the Calgary Stampede

In Calgary it is known simply as, “The Week”. To people everywhere is is known as a city’s celebration of its Wild West roots. It is not just the cattlemen that slick up in their best boots, oilmen, bankers and citizens alike join in a raucous event. It is said that even the most uptight will find themselves screaming Yahoo! It is also said that nine months after the Stampede the birth rate in Calgary rises, dramatically.

These bovine VT beauties pictured above wouldn’t stand a chance up in Calgary during the Stampede. I have also got to wonder how this east coast, milk toast, country boy will handle events in Canada’s biggest cow town. It has been years since I sauntered up to the bar in my old cowboy boots!