We had decided that we really needed a quiet day at the trailer. Laundry is growing, even RVs need some house cleaning, we need groceries, and tomorrow we leave with Jeffrey, Nancy and Cecilia in tow and everyone knows there’s work to be done when company is coming. But … Jeffrey called and told us that while Nancy spends some time with her Nana before we leave Calgary, he booked a trail ride for us through the Alberta foothills! House work or exploring the countryside on horseback? … no contest!
We left Calgary heading south west into Turner Valley. Known for its oil finds, we discovered that certainly wasn’t its only treasure. The drive was a voyage ever closer to the mountains that have been teasing from the Calgary skyline over the last few days.
As we approached the Anchor D Ranch, Jeffrey informed us that Dewey, the ranch owner is the cousin of Man Tracker! Clearly our boy has inherited that gene that guarantees an interesting little twist to every adventure! We sign waivers (always so comforting to do things like that!) and proceed (with trepidation!) to the barn. After a quick lesson on riding – who knew you could learn everything you needed to know about riding a horse in a few quick minutes?!! – we were matched with our noble steeds. Jeffrey rode Ruff, I was matched to Dunney and David (go ahead and laugh – we did) mounted Fat Jack!
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| Jeffrey and Ruff |
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| David and Fat Jack |
Very quickly I realized that the next few hours would pass without the need to check the fine print on the waivers. These horses were well used to inexperienced riders. Despite the couple of times I managed to coax him into a trot, we rode happily through the foothills with Dunney quite obviously in control of matters. We rode through fields of wild flowers, along forest trails, atop ridges that offered breathtaking views of the valley below and the mountain grandeur in the near distance.
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| Scene from the top of the ridge |
After a morning on the range we were famished and Jeffrey had done some research and treated us to lunch at the Chuchwagon Café. It was very full, which is often a good sign, but the friendly waitress assured us it was no problem to pull up and extra chair – western hospitality! The fresh burgers, from cattle raise by the proprietor, were delicious! This was the sort of place where, when we asked about the pie for dessert and whether is too was homemade, we were told, “Sorry hon, it’s just frozen, and it tastes like it.” She then proceeded to give us directions to the local bakery that made delicious pies or the ice cream shop that she assured us wouldn’t disappoint! Just gotta love it!
Back home in Calgary we covered most of the chores (laundry’s still with us!). Any rushing that was required was well worth the day we spent on horseback! Right at the end of the day, about to head home with the groceries, I decided to fill up the truck so we wouldn’t have to bother on our way out of town in the morning. The Safeway grocery stores here also serve gas. If you spend $35 in groceries you get $.05 per liter discount. By the time I pulled up at the pump I figured out that the discount only applied if you were a Safeway member. Following the fill the man behind the counter asked if I was a member. I explained that no, we don’t have Safeways near where I live. He asked if he could see my bill as he had noticed me loading “all those groceries” in the back of my truck. According to him, “it just didn’t seem right” that I couldn’t get the discount when I just spent all that money. After paying for the gas, he insisted on reimbursing the difference – western hospitality! As excited as I am about the next leg of our journey, I’m a little sad to be leaving Calgary. It’s a wonderful city!
The End!
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