For the past several weeks, my home has been host to a slough of visitors. While some (and even, admittedly, I) may cringe at the thought of their house being taken over by friends and family for extended periods of time, I found that with my guests I was able to discover Calgary from an entirely new perspective.
Before I explain further, let me introduce my guests. The first houseguest to arrive was a friend of mine from Chicago. Mel and I met while volunteering in Cambodia a year ago, and she came to visit and catch up. The next house-guests were my younger brother and his girlfriend (current Sherwood Park-ians!), who stayed for the weekend and got a little taste of life in Calgary, themselves.
RCMP Musical Ride at Stampede Rodeo 2014
Spruce Meadows North American Tournament 2014
The favourite overall was, of course, Stampede. After all, what can beat the thrill of watching your first rodeo from ring-side seats with the sun beating down on you and a cold drink in your hand? The Coke stage had a great line-up this year, and the Saddledome concerts were all sold out in minutes to crowds thrilled to attend such brilliant shows. As Mel from Chicago put it, you just have to love the Canadian and southern-style cowboy pride! We both found the Shania concert to be very Vegas-esque, but overall we decided that that just meant that we got two shows in one – all the better.
Spruce Meadows offered a change of pace for those interested in the more conservative side of horseback riding, and proved a fantastic way to suntan as well.
The always-beautiful Calgary Zoo (although still recovering from the 2013 flood) also serves for a relaxing and fun afternoon, allowing you to experience a blast from the past and re-live some childhood memories.
Another rousing hit with everyone was Tubby Dog, the famous hot dog shop on 17th Ave,
Tubby Dog 2014 (A-Bomb and Chips)
where every one of our guests over-stuffed their stomachs and rolled home happy.
The Telus Spark is always a fun thing to do (for all ages!) and the only regret any of our visitors had was that they wouldn’t be around long enough to attend one of the Adult Only nights!
Telus Spark 2014
And, of course, there is the Skyline Luge at Canada Olympic Park. I will admit, I was pretty skeptical about that one, but after the first race down the hill I was hooked. Anyone over the age of 6 (and height of 110 cm) can go on these little luges, and it is an absolute blast. I will definitely be working out my arms more so I have the strength to do more than 4 runs in a day!! Neighbourhoods like Kensington and Inglewood are great for shopping, snacking, strolling, and sightseeing in, too. With little shops like Peasant Cheese and The Silk Road Spice Merchant, Knifewear and Peacock Boutique, there is a little something for everyone on a sunny day.
Skyline Luge 2014
Of course, we also have the beautiful Rocky Mountains nearby, home to sights and shopping you can’t find anywhere else. And then, there are the little things. Things like how accessible and simple our C-Trains are, or how we can get across the city in half an hour (this shocks anyone from Edmonton or Chicago, let me tell you!). Things like how we have over 300 days of sunshine in one of the greenest cities around.
So here’s to you, Calgary. Thanks for being awesome.
(Even if it has been so hot that my cats are just sitting in front of the fan all day…)
Sam’s cats, being too hot.