Our last day in Calgary. We spent it wandering the city and shopping for last minute souvenirs. It was a nice relaxing way to end our time here. Sent the laundry out to be done in preparation of our few days in Los Angeles. Lots of farewell drinks, as Calgary is where Mark and Louise leave us and continue their holiday visiting Louises family in Montreal. They have been great traveling buddies. Drinks and wings and pizzas for dinner, then bed. Next stop, La.

Our first free day in Calgary today. Sleep in for all of us. We then wandered into the CBD for a look around. Free pancakes were the first order of the day. In an area called "Rope Square" were lots of volunteers cooking pancakes on bbq's set up on the back of small chuck wagons. This initiative was introduced a few years ago to get visitors and locals alike up and about and enjoying the activities. The cooks fried up bacon and then topped this with pancake batt...

Day 2 was rodeo day at the stampede. How bloody awesome it was too. Everything that so see at home but the cream of the crops participating. It is an invitational event. We saw bare back and saddle bronc, bull ride, barrel racing, calf roping, steer ride for the juniors. All great to witness. Getting to the end of the competition, so every point counts. Big band entertainment for intermission. Every thing on a huge scale. Volunteers are the key to the success o...

Well what a day. Calgary certainly knows how to put on a show. Beautiful grounds and amenities. It is like the largest agricultural show you have ever seen. First job was to purchase the obligatory hat so we looked like the locals. Wandering around what we would call the pavilion was amazing, everything for sale from knives, leather, hats souvenirs. Raffles being run for harley bikes, 5th wheelers, gmc trucks, even a house! All of these prizes are on display, y...

Had trouble with blog site while in Alaska so will have to find time to do those entries later on. So will get on with our Calgary tour. Arrived yesterday afternoon around 3.30pm and little choice but to hang around the hotel to meet our tour directors. Managed a few birthday drinks and dinner. The lovely lady playing the piano in the bar played happy birthday and the whole bar sang it to me....nice. My first impression from the air anyway was that Calgary is b...