The Walk of Life
Day 6 - Calgary
August 29, 1998
Banff - Calgary Olympic Park - Calgary - Banff
Calgary Olympic Park
After
a drive of about an hour on Canada 1 we arrived at the 1988 Olympic site
in little outside Calgary. The one hour we got to explore the park was
just enough for a rush through all the places. First we made our way up
to the ski jump tower by seat lift. From the ski jump tower we enjoyed
the great view over the park and the Calgary area. We could even see Calgary
city with Calgary tower. The picture taken by one of the guards is usually
impossible since visitors are not allowed to step down the stairs. But
there was nobody else and so ...
Next stop was the bob run. That's the site of the movie 'Cool runnings'
too. It looks much less impressive without ice. Only the lower end was
iced it it was possible to run down in a bobsled. But nobody of our group
did. On the hill between the bob run and the ski jump we passed the skiing
area where slaloms took place. The last place to visit was the museum and
the hall of fame. The main attractions there are the bob- (built for two
persons but four fit in) and ski jump simulator.
Calgary City
Next stop was Calgary city. After a short sightseeing by van we stopped
at a central parking area at 9 Ave. SW and Center St. Calgary public library
offers free internet access which I used to check my email. Visitors take
care. You get free unrestricted access but it's not possible to make reservations,
employees have to help you get started and access happens through good
old LYNX (for those who don't remember, that's one of the first text only
web browser).
Next
stop was Stephen Avenue Walk in 8 Ave. SW. That's the main shopping avenue.
It also has some (international) restaurants, cafes and takeaways. After
that, Calgary tower, which is still close (some hundred meters away) was
the place to visit. Calgary Tower is 190.8 meters high. To get up you can
choose between 762 steps or elevators. From the top you get a good view
over Calgary. Besides the observation deck you also find a Bar and Grill,
a revolving dining room and some souvenir shops.
My
last visit in Calgary was Glenbow Museum. This Museum was not supposed
to e open but it still was (and so I was one of the only ones of our group
who was there). Glenbow has big displays of Canadian history and culture.
You get to learn a lot about native Canadians and the Europeans coming
over and taking land. It also has some changing displays about other cultures,
arts and a children's area. Glenbow is a interesting place but it's worth
taking enough time to spend at Glenbow.
Calgary has much more to offer than this. But having only about seven
hours you have to choose from lots of options. So I had to leave away China
Town and the Chinese Cultural Center as well as Eau Claire Market and many
other places to visit.
Back in bear country
Coming back to tunnel campground the surprise was perfect. All our food
had gone from the shelter. Nobody knew anything. So while some of us went
doing their laundry Mimmi-Shawn went looking for our food. Cooking would
get delayed too. She finally found all our goods at the ranger station.
They took it away because in bear country it was not allowed to let food
unobserved anywhere. But there was also a positive side to the story. The
judge was 'cute', we had new stories and the fine was only $50.
Day 7 - The Banff walk