More Stampede and Lake Louise

Back to Stampede!  No more rodeo pictures, but here are a few from the Derbyland Race.  The Derbyland race is a chuck wagon race!  Run in heats, four of the participants queue up, waiting for the gun.

Rounding the first curve!

And the winner crosses the finish line, followed quickly by the others.

After the race, the Grandstand show started.  We thought … ugh … canned, “family” style entertainment.  Nope!  The Young Canadians started off the show. Happy, showy entertainment, showcasing the talents of each age group (about 7 through 21).  That’s where we began to think “ugh”.  Nope!  Following that was a surprise performance by KISS!  Fog and lights clouded the stage as we could see the stage crew preparing something.  What a roar when the smoke cleared and KISS hit the first notes!

After KISS, a white piano came flying into view, fireworks shooting from its rear (now we know what else they use those high wires for!).  Upper right...

A Queen tribute group really nailed them.  The group was excellent, but the piano player – lead singer – was fabulous!  You would never believe it wasn't Freddie Mercury!

Chinese acrobats joined the show.

In addition, we had a high flying soprano from the Calgary Opera (again on a lifted stage, flying around above the audience), the Hoop Dancer, and some other great entertainment.  The grand finale was one of the best fireworks shows we've seen in a long time.

On Tuesday, we left Calgary and drove to Lake Louise.  Banff National Park (to be visited later) was beautiful as we passed.

Lake Louise!  Not the best light for our photo, but what a wonderful place.  We were surprised, though, at how small the lake is.

Near Lake Louise, Lake Moraine.  This one has log piles from a rough winter still blocked at one end of the lake.

Wednesday – the Icefields!  Onto a glacier!  Here is the Columbia Ice Field, with Athabasco  Glacier.  Can you see little tiny things in the middle of the slick ice?  Those are buses!

We rode out onto the glacier on a snowbus.

Yes, here we are!  Standing on a glacier!  Yes, it’s COLD.

On the way back, we passed a shaggy Mountain Sheep, grazing on the side of the road.

Waterfalls fill the area – here is Tangle Falls.

Today was a real joy --- Smokey has sores on her chin, under her bottom lip.  They are from “cat acne” that has gotten infected.  A visit to the nearest vet (25 miles), a substantial amount of money for a pain killer so they could thoroughly clean the area and abscesses, anti-inflammatory cream,  and a shot of antibiotic, plus several bottles of stuff to take home to continue to treat her, and we are all finally back.  She feels better and will be well soon.  I’m not sure she knows that…

Anyway, the Vet was located past Banff, so we took the scenic highway A1 back.  More scruffy Mountain sheep.  They are losing their winter coats; that’s why they look so bad.

A long view at Morant’s Curve, a scenic spot where the Canadian Rail shot promo pictures.  Can you guess why!! Note the rail track running though the picture.

Tomorrow – after scrubbing Smoke’s chin, applying cream, and giving her an oral liquid antibiotic – we plan to head westward and see several falls, each involving short hikes.  Should be fun!