Monday, June 24, 2019

Day 35: 6/24/19: Strathmore to Calgary, AB

It was another light riding day today. I met my oldest daughter, Hannah, in Calgary, and I will be staying in a hotel again tonight.  It will be great seeing a familiar face again. I haven't seen anyone I know face to face for about a month.

I have been on the Trans-Canada Highway for a few days.   Today I realized I did not have a pic of it's sign, so I snapped a pic.


I took the pic below because I like the green, blue and white in the scenery.


I made it to Calgary.




I decided to do some sight-seeing of the city centre.  It is definitely different from all the other towns/cities I have been through on this trip.  City pics below.








Olympic Plaza


I rode out to the Calgary Stampede venue.  They are gearing up for the stampede, which is a 10 day festival that celebrates their Western heritage.  I think rodeos around here are as big as NASCAR in the south.  Below are pics around the venue.

Mural depicting first Calgary Spring bull sale in 1901.


Saddledome



Grandstand


I met Brad and his daughter, Katie, while riding bikes on one of the cities many bike pathways.  He has done some bicycle touring, and offered to allow me and Hannah to stay in his extra bedroom tonight.  Too bad we already had a hotel booked. That was a mighty generous offer.  He gave me his business card and told me to let him know if I need anything.


Below is a pic of one of the bike pathways I was on.  Calgary has a nice bicycle pathway network, including pedestrian/bicycle bridges over some rivers/creeks and major highways (also pictured below). The city also has a bicycle/pedestrian avenue called Stephen Avenue Walk.  It was very enjoyable seeing the city from the seat of a bicycle.




Stephen Avenue Walk


Below is the pic of the Calgary Tower.  A local told me that Calgary officials lied  about the height of the tower, saying it was shorter than it actually was, so that future attempts by other cities to build a taller tower would come up short.


Hannah took me out to eat at Cactus Club Cafe for Father's Day (pic below).


Total miles today: 48.4

4 comments:

  1. Congrats, what an experience. One for the books.

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  2. Congrats on making it all the way to Calgary. It looks like an interesting city.

    Hannah looks WAY more rested than you in the picture. I'm sure it's good to see a familiar face.

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  3. Thanks. I enjoyed the city. The folks I have come across there have been very friendly and helpful. They take pride in their wild, wild west tradition, but seem to be a progressive city with all the bike/pedestrian opportunities.

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