July 9-10-11-12, 2007

Rafter’s 6 Ranch
Between Banff and Calgary
And
Dick’s RV Park, Great Falls, MT.

Rafter's 6 Ranch was our home for two plus days. We stopped at the Canadian Olympic Park on the way. It is a fabulous facility with ski jumps, luge tracks, etc. This should have been an ‘official’ part of the tour itinerary. While there, we were charmed by Michael, a 13 year old museum guide, who epitomizes what we have come to appreciate in Canadian youth. They are articulate, friendly, and have received a solid education. We noted in Calgary the various trades training schools for their youth. America---pay attention.

We are still re-living the thrills of the Stampede's ‘Grandstand Show’, an extravaganza that would have shamed Cecil B. DeMille. Several hundred local volunteer singers and dancers complimented a few professionals. Costumes and lighting were dazzling, and the fireworks that were interwoven with the ‘musical’, were world class. Stupendous. Motorcycles jumped from ramp to ramp across the giant stage, acrobats twirled from a suspended ribbon. It was all there---‘the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’ lived up to its billing.

Impressively, the stage was wheeled in and assembled after 2 hours of chuckwagon races around the race track. These ‘chucks’ are big- time with the Canadians. It took about 45 minutes to assemble and then the fun began. Many of the participants were Calgary youth. (It was explained to me by a Calgarian that the reason Calgary was awarded the 1988 Olympics was because of the demonstrated civic volunteerism as evidenced by the Calgary Stampede.) Our seats were perfect---center stage above the stage. Just can’t say enough about this show. It is reason enough by itself to hop on a plane and come to Calgary, a city that knows what it is doing.

We raced the crowds from the show to get to the C-Train and made it back to camp at 12:20 a.m., the first to arrive. We ‘molly-whopped’ our way through the crowd (a term used by a talkative—probably high—gent on the C-Train to describe a thrashing he gave his ‘best pal.’)

On schedule at Rafter 6 was a ‘white water’ rafting adventure. This optional gig wasn’t cheap, but the ride (with ‘on the water’ time lasting about 45 minutes) was a bust. A rip-off. The bus-ride to launch point and the subsequent safety and instructional lecture took about an hour and a half. This was cold water, actually glacial run-off, so we were provided wet-suits. One of the more entertaining sights was a rather large couple assisting each other getting into their wet suits. Reminded me of trying to cram a large sleeping bag into a stuff-sack.

In the evening, the owner of the ranch ‘held court’ as we sat around a smoking campfire (2 hours before the sun went down). To be mild, this guy was ‘full of himself’ and had difficulty controlling the horse he rode in on, which he had borrowed from his son. He finally dismounted, and at one point the horse knocked him down. One of the rally leaders commented, “I owe that horse $20 for that.” I'd have chipped in a few bucks.

The last day featured a 10 hour bus tour to Lake Louise and Banff. One of the leaders stayed behind and dog-sat, which allowed us some piece of mind. At least Carly would get a potty break during the day. Our tour took us through spectacular mountains, a drive around Banff (which is having major road work done in the downtown area), and lunch at the Hotel at Lake Louise. This was no ordinary lunch, but a pig-fest on some of the most succulent chow in Canada. This is a Fairmont hotel, so the quality standards are high. I had 2 plates of salad, including smoked salmon, crab-legs, and calamari before ‘one-plating’ the main dishes, which featured roast pork. Initially, Janice and I were going to share a dessert plate, but since we were well over the max calorie limit anyway, we filled solo dessert plates with scrumptious goodies.

Next was a stop at Lake Moraine, beautiful but crawling with tourists, then a final visit to Takakkaw Falls in nearby Yoho Nat’l Park, reached by a windy road that the 46 foot bus had to back up through a hairpin turn in order to continue. Grand adventure. It was a long day, but a wonderful end to our Calgary Stampede adventure. Our tour-guide/ bus driver was exceptional. Back at camp, we skipped dinner, and a final campfire featured a cowboy-guitarist singer and his banjo buddy. We crawled to bed at 9.

Up early for a ranch breakfast of carefully rationed flapjacks, bacon and sausage, we were on the road to Great Falls, MT by 8:45. It was a 375 mile drive, mostly boring through prairieland/farmland. The border crossing took ½ hour, and was unremarkable.

Arrived at Great Falls about 4:30 and have been doing wash ever since. Tomorrow we will do another 275 to get to Yellowstone. Nothing to see in this part of Montana. The gas tank is on ‘E’ so the fill up in the morning at the Flying J should set a new record $$$.

Final thoughts on the Calgary Stampede Rally. Well organized, but too many people (about 130) for us. On the average, these folks were 5-10 years older than our Mexican Tour group. We are grateful to our Mexico Wagonmasters Larry and Evelyn, who took good care of us here as well, and we are thankful that Kaye and Dee Kimberlin, Mexico tour pals, were participants. We shared a lot of fun together at the Stampede, riding the C Train and toasting the late sunsets. Happy trails, you two!

We've turned in our suggestions about how to tweak this event, but the leaders are already aware of the very few weak-spots. This is a winner! Would we go again? I'd do just about anything to see another Grandstand Show at the Stampede. Ya-Hoo!