City of Calgary and Bow River

Thank you all once again for all your kind comments, stars and favs. I'm hoping to have some time in the coming week to catch up with you all.

Today was the last day of our road trip which we spent in Calgary. It's the first time back for me since 1991 although I didn't see much of the city in those days with 5 children in tow so it was good to spent time walking the streets and avenues exploring the different districts of the city.

First problem was how to get to the city as our site was well to the west, next to the Winter Olympic venue. There was a shuttle bus to the nearest transit stop where we could then get to the C-Train into the city. I was advised that it was OK to park an RV at a Park and Ride station so off we went. The first station was packed but we managed to find a spot at Crowsfoot station which was suitable for this massive RV. We were the only RV in the parking lot so I decided to Calgary Transit to see if it was OK to park an RV. They said it was as long as we were parked within a parking stall (bay). We were, the rear wheels just on the lines with the rear end sticking out. Every car around us could get out. We left it wondering if it would still be there or ticketed when we got back. I'm pleased to say it was all alright when we returned.

We followed a walking tour around the city, starting at the "village" of Kensington to the north west of downtown. A pleasant place, interesting shops and good coffee (and a shared cinnamon bun). We then crossed the Bow River, walking alongside and over the river along one of the many paths and trails that cross-cross the city ending up on Prince's Island for lunch. It was a beautiful walk in bright warm sunshine with the leaves just beginning to turn. It is alongside the Bow River where today's blip was taken. I think it captures the heart of Calgary; the skyscrapers, the greenery and the river.

From Prince's Park we walked through Chinatown picking up the +15s to work our way through lots of buildings to eventually come out on Stephen Avenue. these +15s fascinating - several kilometres of paths linking all the major buildings and shopping malls, crossing roads, all at 15 feet above street level. Great for the winter when temperatures can be a bit nippy (-25C). It's a whole, enclosed ecosystem in there, you don't really need to emerge into the outside as all your needs are catered for at +15.

An objective was to see the Devonian Gardens, an indoor and roof garden covering 2.5 acres on the 4th floor of what was the Toronto Dominion Centre but which is now called something different. It was closed owing to renovations.

Undeterred we walked along Stephen Avenue, another fascinating and well preserved part of the old city where traffic is banned during the day and the street space left to people. Today's extra is of Stephen Avenue. We then proceeded to the Olympic Plaza built as part of the 1988 Winter Olympics and from there to the Glenbow Museum. Which was also closed. Not open Mondays from Labour Day! It is a magnificent museum and I was looking forward to seeing how it had developed since 1991.

That left the Calgary Tower, which was once the tallest building in the city but in now dwarfed by several much larger skyscrapers. Nevertheless, a good view was had to all points of the compass from the Prairies to the east to the Rockies in the west. A most excellent audio visual commentary was included in the admission price.

And that concluded the tour really, we caught the C-Train back to the RV site via Safeway supermarket where we picked up some food for dinner tonight. Last night in the RV, feverishly packing stuff away and clearing out all the drawers. It's been a great couple of weeks and there's still more to come....