The kids and I generally spend a couple of weeks in Calgary before our family reunion in Vernon, B.C. With the 2015 calendar, our lakehouse dates were moved up by a week, which prompted me to skip our fun 4th of July celebrations in Denver and enjoy Canada Day in the Motherland (read about that here).
Calgary is truly one of the great cities in the world and I’d move back there in an instant. We had a glorious couple of weeks spending time with my family at our favorites haunts that included biking with dad.
My own 30-mile ride along Calgary’s extensive network of bikepaths where I was thrilled to see many of the flood-damaged trails were repaired.
The charming Millarville Farmer’s Market, followed by a drive through the Canadian countryside to Elbow falls in Kananaskis Country.
The not-so charming mudpits.
And then cleaning ourselves off after in Fish Creek.
Followed by ice cream at Annie’s Bakery & Cafe at adjacent Bow Valley Ranche.
Pedicures with Grandma.
And, of course, the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth: The Calgary Stampede!
Their unique fair food makes headlines and some of our favorites were these Gourmet Ice Pops with delicious frozen dulce caramel cream combined with a mini donut. My brother-in-law Fred had the artery-clogging Deep Fried Donut Bacon Cheeseburger.
Good thing we were on the grounds playing for 12 loooong hours and worked (some of it) off.
But the real highlight of Stampede was that crazy girl of mine. We laughed until we cried at the hypnotist show last year so imagine my surprise when that brazen girl of mine volunteered! I’ll admit I’ve always been tempted but I embarrass myself when I’m fully conscious…why tempt fate?
Closer view:
In the end, she (and a few others) ended up getting sent back to their seat because she was only partially put under, which has given her a new goal for next year.
Heaven help us all!
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In case you missed our other Canadian adventures this summer:
Oh Canada: The Lethbridge Edition
Oh Canada: The Canada Day in Raymond and Waterton Edition
Oh Canada: The Calgary Edition
Oh Canada: The Banff/Canmore Edition
Oh Canada: The Lakehouse Edition
Oh Canada: The Kettle Valley Railway Trail Edition
Oh Canada: The Edition Not in Canada
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 