July 5-6-7, 2007
Still in Calgary

Yah---Hooo!

That’s the word in Calgary for the next 10 days during the Stampede. The whole city is really into it.

After our first night, the local chamber of commerce representative who narrated (zzzzz!) our city bus trip generously provided us with tickets to the minor league baseball game at the stadium next door to the football stadium---at least that’s what we thought. As 8 pm approached, there was no crowd noise or sounds from the PA system so I looked on the internet, only to discover that the team was ‘on the road.’ A closer review of the tickets revealed they were for a private Stampede party at one of the ‘hot clubs’ downtown---the Coyote Club. Hence the apparent intent of our donor's query as he gave us the tickets: “Tell me how they play.” We opted out of the opportunity. Some things in cool Calgary are just too hot! I’m sure our son, Jason would have enjoyed the action, though.

Yesterday was the Stampede Parade, a rump-numbing (or 'bum-numbing' as they say here) procession of four- footed and four-wheeled entries, plus numerous marching bands, most of them exceptional. The weather was perfect, unlike the sweltering (90+) day before which no doubt would have sent a few carcasses to the glue factory. We had great seats, but a 2 ½ hour parade wore through the minimal natural padding I have on the back-side.

A great parade nonetheless. No flowers on these floats, as the weather is a bit unpredictable (and often soggy) during parade week. Many were made out of a plastic-like material like a unwatered chia-pet head. The pooper scoopers (giant street cleaners) were kept quite busy, cleaning the parade route at frequent intervals, providing a wonderful aroma of wet horse-shit as they passed.

The parade was followed by lunch at a Chinese restaurant about 10 blocks from the parade route. I had a craving for Chinese food, and figured that most parade-goers wouldn’t hump the distance for lunch. We were one of few westerners in our restaurant of choice and enjoyed some great food with Mexico tour pals Kaye and Dee.

A fortuitous reading of the local paper revealed a wine bonanza at one of the local liquor stores---decent wine at under $10 per bottle, so Kaye and I made a mercy mission to to the ‘OK Liquor Store’ to replenish supplies. The clerk assured us that we would not suffer visual damage drinking these grape products—primarily from Austrailia.

I spilled my morning cup of coffee (the whole thing!) on the couch. Feverish activity followed to prevent staining, but the place smells like Starbucks. Still more work to do on the carpet.

Today’s major activity was the Stampede Rodeo, supposedly second-best only to the World Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas. We had great seats, and it was a great rodeo. These cowboys must have been kicked in the head at an early age to subject their bodies to such bone crushing activities as bare-back and saddle-back bronc riding and the ultimate vasectomy experience---bull riding. My sister---the one who touted Corbett Canyon in the box to us ---is a fanatical bull-riding fan.

Prior to the rodeo we finessed our way into the international agricultural visitors center (hey, the US is ‘foreign,’ right?) where we were given a nice commemorative pin and a free drink. I don’t think we fooled anybody, though. They had us pegged as city slickers at the door, but hosted us nonetheless.

Leaving the grounds, we hopped on the C-Train to get back to camp to check on Carly. We jumped on the wrong train, and were headed south to nowhere at a fast pace before we realized our mistake a couple of stations down the line. Caught a northbound and breezed home. Carly was sleeping on the couch, apparently enjoying a coffee buzz off of the drying cushion.

Had thought about returning the Stampede tonight, but it looks like a take-it-easy evening instead. Too crowded anyways.

Calgary’s C-Train is a light rail system that nicely supplements their well-designed freeways. Takes us about 5 minutes to walk to the station next to ‘camp’ and then it’s about a 10 minute ride downtown, to an additional 10 minutes to the Stampede grounds. This is a wonderful city with miles and miles of walking/biking trails (probably good for cross-country skiing, too). It just passed the million population mark. Housing appreciated 47% in the last year! This is a boom caused by the trickle down from the successes of the petroleum companies in the province. There are ‘help wanted’ signs throughout the city.

And here's today's final look (video) at the Stampede. If you object to nursing piglets, tune out.

But Julie and Jason ---this is for you. Remember those 4-H piggies?