Cirque de Soleil, Kurios and Calgary Stampede Park

Driving to Stampede Park we passed the tents for the amazing Cabinet of Kuriosities currently running by Cirque de Soleil. Unfortunately, the shows sold out in the first days and we were there for another reason. We’re hockey fans of the Calgary Flames and the incredible cardiac kids. Our team is battling it out in the Saddledome tonight for two more points to keep us edging out the Kings, last year’s Stanley Cup Champion. Our seats were up quite high but it was an excellent view and we did win the game and our rookie, Johnny Gaudreau rose again to the top of the Rookie Scoring competition. Calgary fans are the best never leaving before the final bell.

Winter Morning Sunrise with Chinook Sky

This is a January winter sunrise over Calgary, Alberta. A chinook sky is a light warm breeze drifting over the city.when the Rocky Mountain breeze is sent from the Bow Valley through a natural wind tunnel meeting prairie wind. This phenomenon was first called by the Chinook natives to be a ‘snow eater’. In a normal winter we get more than thirty chinooks that in extreme temperatures suction the snow and moisture right before your eyes. Temperatures today won’t need more than a hoodie.

Looking forward to a lovely day and a chance to get a walk.

Peaceful Mountain Drive along Bow River near Field, British Columbia

The majestic Bow River begins in the heart of Calgary, Alberta, in the western prairies on the doorstep of the Canadian Rockies is 623 kilometers in length. Flowing through the prairie wheat fields all the way into the province of British Columbia it generates rivers and streams for the naturalist providing fishing, canoeing, kayaking, white water rapids and gorges. Past Field, B.C. a popular ski area, the river is fed from the Bow Glacier and trickles into the azure blue of Lake Louise.

The Bow River is a result of the massive land movements during the ice age and later to our indigenous peoples. David Thompson, an explorer and cartographer plied the Bow and spent a winter with the Piikani tribe in the 1787-17. For centuries waterways were vital to trade and settlement across the Canadian frontier.

Each time I go through Banff National Park to the mountains in British Columbia I an in awe of its majesty.

Heritage Christmas at old-fashion park in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

On a brisk Sunday morning we took the opportunity to stroll through Heritage Park and once again admire the days of yore celebrating the Christmas season. Canada’s history goes back to settlements along the St. Lawrence River in the late 1500’s and early 1600’s and settlement in western Canada almost two centuries later in the late 1800’s. The west is prairie from Manitoba to Alberta, but Calgary is blessed to be in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and the warm winter chinook winds. Although in my travels to Ephesus where Jesus walked and Paul preached in the amphitheatre I was walking on soil from before Christ, it is hard to make a comparison. I treasure history no matter how ancient it is.

Demonstrations included handcrafted decorations from paper, pine cones, popcorn and ribbons as well as skilled candle makers and black smithy to enthused all ages. It was nice to see families out enjoying the day without walking with their heads down looking into iphones. I am thankful this Christmas for all my friends and family and how we can laugh together and sing carols at the gazebo on Christmas Eve. Seasons Greetings to all my followers and friends in hopes that you will be blessed with the spirit of giving and family. Best wishes, Shirley Burton. Note: I have now completed the Thomas York Series – refer to shirleyburtonbooks.com

Patriotism at a local Hockey Game, Calgary, Alberta

In Canada we have experienced an attack on our Parliament Buildings in Ottawa at the Soldiers’ Memorial Monument. Fortunately, our valiant Sergeant-at-Arms of the government was cool headed and within fourteen minutes of the breach in the Halls of Honor, Kevin Viccars fired three shots into the perpetrator killing him. This situation has opened up a new sensitivity around the world to protect our governments and protect our young people from terrorists recruiters. I am proud to be a Canadian, to live in a free country, to have a military ready to defend us, to be able to honor the religion of our choice and look forward to a democratic future for our grandchildren.

Patriotism filled the stands at last night’s Calgary Flames hockey game, the return of the team from a road trip. The unfurling of our red Maple Leaf flag and singing of ‘O Canada’ was a moving tribute to the two Canadian soldiers lost this week.

God Bless you wherever you are and bless the leaders of your country and your soldiers that defend you.

Soul Unites with Nature, Canada’s Rocky Mountains

Peace and quiet allowing our souls to unite with nature and God. Looking into the water I feel the tears of my past, sadness in the depth, and solitude as the water drifts into eternity. The mountains give me strength and resolution. I feel nurtured.

Spruce Meadows Honoring Holland Days, Calgary, Alberta

The Masters event is held in early September every year, bringing the best equestrian riders from around the world. The event we watched on this day, was the team events including four riders from eight countries, each riding three times. Team Canada was the winner including Ian Millar, Eric Lamaze, Ben Asselin and Tiffany Foster. First win for this team in almost ten years.

This last pic is of Ian Millar, Captain of Team Canada, he completed two clear rounds on a champion horse, DixOn.

 

 

 

Search the Clouds – Kananaskis, Alberta

Sitting my the campfire in Kananaskis and looking up into the clouds overhead reminds me of when I was a little girl. I used to lie on the grass in the backyard watching the movement of the clouds while the world turned and the wind whispered in the trees. We get so busy with life that we forget to look up out of the box of day-to-day stuff.

Time to connect with your soul.

Bow River at Castle Mountain in the Rockies

This pic was taken at a scenic stop on the Trans Canada Hwy, just past Castle Mountain, on our way to British Columbia. Just west of Lake Louise we stopped to see the emerald waters running into the Bow River. The Bow River runs from downtown Calgary all the way into B.C.

The emerald hue of the water is from rock flour carried into Lake Louise from glacial melts, then drained into Lake Louise Creek and into the Bow.

The scenic beauty of the mountains, lakes and rivers is food for the soul.

Rainy Drive to Banff in the Rocky Mountains

The rocky mountains call like drawing a magnetic and we can’t resist, rain or shine. The majesty is awe inspiring and it creates a feeling in my soul like no other place. These pictures were taken on a rainy day that ended with a beautiful rainbow.

Banff is a small town west of Calgary, Alberta, in the Banff National Park encompassing mountaneous terrain with glaciers and ice fields that you can see and drive right on. At Banff there is a gondola ride and Sulphur Hot Springs. The famous Banff Springs Hotel was built by the Canadian National Railway in the 1800’s. Small surrounding villages once supported coal mining but they have succumbed to merely a hiking trail.

There are major downhill ski hills bringing tourists from around the world at Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay. The mountain at the end of Main Street in Banff is Mount Cascade and near that is Tunnel Mountain for camping and various accommodations. Mount Rundle, Sulphur Mountain, Mount Norquay, Lougheed Mountain, the Sundance and Palliser Ranges rise from the foothills.