Calgary: Alberta, Frank Slide and Stampede 07/12 – 07/14/2019

We left Calgary at 7:45 so that we could get to Calgary by early afternoon. We traveled through some beautiful scenery traveling along the Elk River. Saw several beaver dams; some right along the road. Also several herds of Elk in some of the valleys but so far have not spotted any moose-even though it looks like a good area for them. We saw lots of caution moose signs, even thought we did not see any. We were told the moose love the canola and to look for them in the fields.

We stopped at the Alberta border at the Crowsnest Pass Welcome sign so we could take Ty for a quick walk. I was not sure if he was restless because of the rough roads or he needed a break, but it was an easy place to stop. We did not stop at The Frank Slide because the pull off spot was full, but other travelers shared their picture of Alberta’s History which explained the devastation from April 29, 1903 when a wedge of limestone broke off from the crest of Turtle Mountain and destroyed the mines, buildings, homes and lives below.

Lots of tunnels on this trip. Traveling along the Elk River on Banff Widermere Pkwy/Crowsnest Hwy/Kootenay Hwy/BC-3
Beautiful scenery on our way to Calgary.
Welcome to Alberta
Crowsnest Pass
Alberta’s History of The Frank Slide
Boulders still on both sides of the road from The Frank Slide in 1903.
Scene of The Frank Slide from 1903
Gorgeous Canola fields
Arrived in Calgary, Alberta Canada. Staying in the parking lot of McMahon Stadium

Somehow we were the first to arrive at McMahon Stadium. Quite a few RVs took a side trip to Head Smashing Buffalo Jump but we opted not to go. We heard later it was a lot of dirt road to get there so glad we did not go. Others missed the small Fantasy sign and had a tough time finding where they needed to go. It made it good for us as we will be able to make a quick exit on Monday morning. Everyone had to disconnect their toad and everyone is packed in pretty tight so it’s going to take those in the middle of the stadium some time and effort to get out.

Our breakfast on Saturday morning at the Calgary Tower was cancelled because there was not a working elevator. One elevator was already not working when 8 people were trapped on the other working elevator Friday night. Two of the six cables snapped and the people had to be lifted out of the elevator. I saw on the news that an elevator also trapped 8 people and a child on the Stampede Park elevator. Glad it was not me ! I just made breakfast before heading out to Stampede Park for a few hours. Most everyone else went to the Glenbow Museum but it was such a gorgeous day that we did not want to be inside. We looked at the Agricultural exhibits, Midway vendors and rides and the Native American camp. I especially liked the miniature horses. We headed back to the RV to check on Ty, get some lunch and take a nap. We knew it was going to be a late night for the chuck wagon races and show. Our seats were dead enter, even if a little high in the stands. We had a great view for the races and the show but had a tough time seeing the fireworks because of the stadium overhead.

Gorgeous appaloosa
Lots of miniature horses at stadium
Miniature horses exhibit
Miniature horse exhibit.
Miniature horse competition
TeePees at the Native American camp
Beautiful teepees at the Native American camp
Randy looking at the “wheels” on that truck!
Randy and Karen looking over the Midway on the Sky Rides
Midway viewed from SkyWay
Ready for the Stampede
Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony
Budweiser Exhibit
Lots of Bud!
Barrells to go around and riders to pick up
Chuck Wagon Races
Chuck Wagon Races They are crazy!
Announcer for Evening Show
Evening Show after Stampede
Evening show after the Stampede