Beer run or walk

Today Dean had a destination in mind for our walk, a new store opened up down the hill and he wanted to go check it out. So off we went on our walk, to, the beer store! So technically our walk was a run! Lol

Symons valley ranch

This morning we went to the new market that opened up by us, it's so pretty! We bought lots of fresh veggies. They have a cafe and a picnic table area, so exciting to have something like that so close to us! I didn't take any pictures tho:-( but later on our walk I saw an amusing sign, and I did take a picture of that! 

Is that real?

Last week on one of our walks we saw in the distance what looked like 4 geese walking by the path. When we got up close we saw that they were stone, by a plaque. This time on our walk we saw 2 deer, really big ones with furry antlers, but they weren't moving, for the longest time we stared at each other, and finally one moved! So they ARE real! You just never know what we'll see on the adventures! 

A little rain

Out for our walk and it started to rain a

Bit, but we has our trusty New York umbrellas that we got to use for the first time! Found a perfect place to walk, pretty path, good distance, and ducks! 

Sparwood

We finally got to stop at the big truck. Usually when we pass by it's already too dark. But tonight the timing was perfect! You know it's going to be massive when it's called the biggest truck in the world - but wholly cow, until you are miniaturized by it- you don't realize how big it really is!! 

Maddies journey

Maddie heard that Dean and I were going on random walks, so she Thot she'd throw in her own random idea for us. We met her at the destination and we followed her on our guided tour.... It was beautiful ( mosquito ridden ) amazing ( damn hilly) and just a perfect ( excruciating ) walk! Thank you Maddie for sharing with  us this gorgeous place ( god forsaken path) haha all in good fun! It was beautiful and the mosquitoes were horrific- but it was crazy to see how much of the banks the river chewed up, and how resilient plant life is. The view from the top of the hill ( mountain ) was worth it tho!!!

off we go, following our faithful leader

good start, beautiful scenery

the path ended here during the flood, it disappeared into the river

investigating, and plotting revenge on Maddie

ah... jokes on Maddie, the mosquitoes ate her forehead!!

the highlight of the journey.... what a view! ( and it was breezy here - no bugs! ) 

where we were....

how long we were there...

:-) happy trails....

New found fun

Ever since we started going to the Stampede grounds to take pictures, Dean and I found a new fun adventure. Sometimes after the grounds we would park downtown and go for a walk. Mostly to take pictures and see progress, but than something happened..... When the road to Scotmans hill was blocked off for StAmpede we found ourselves missing something....then we realized it was our walks, so this is the 4th night in a row we have gone for a walk, somewhere in the city. Tonight we randomly parked and walked here....

I even got new shoes to assist on our walks

We usually walk for half an hour.... but tonight when we got back to the car!!!!! Wow, time sure flies when your having fun!

Stampede Round up

Today is the last day of Stampede 101. Here is a rundown of our timeline....

Thursday June 20, it started to rain.

Friday June 21 we were in a state of emergency. 

Calgary Stampede grounds are under water.

Sunday June 23 press conferences bring about the saying "Come Hell or High Water" 

the Stampede will go on.

Monday June 24 there is a Tweet about shirts being made saying "Stampede 101 Hell or High Water"

 We immediately order our shirts. 

We start going to Scottsman's Hill to see the progress of the grounds.

Tuesday June 25 we snap the Cowboy pic at Scottsman's Hill

Thursday June 27. Dean's Birthday.

Amazing progress on the grounds.

We walked to Eau Claire and saw the silt still covering the walkways.

Saturday June 29 2AM the work doesn't stop at the grounds.

Sunday June 30, before and after Maddie's birthday we went to see the progress. 

The track is almost finished.

They start testing the lights on the grand stand stage!

Monday July 1 - Canada day we receive our hand delivered Hell or High water shirts!!

This is where the bug is parked every night while we overlook the grounds.

The rides arrive, and they start to set them up

Friday July 5 Holly takes me as her guest to the Parade. 

Amazingly the parade does NOT have to reroute.... it takes the same streets as always!

That night Dean and I go to the Evening show, Chuck races and Grand Stage show

It pours for 3 hours... the track is soup but the race goes on. 

Luckily the rain stops in time for the Show to go on!! And it was fabulous!

Attendance tonight 67,615. ( the rain hit hard )  

Tuesday July 9 We get a bonus day at Stampede.

Tried Deep fried Butter!! Oh my gosh soooo good!!! 

Like a mini cinnamon bun so yummy!

Maddie took her break with us. 

Inside the BMO center, watching bronze statues come to life. 

It starts to get dark, and the lights come alive

Lots of Minions to win this year!

Saddledome.... Closed

We stayed for the fireworks. Attendance 115,169 Nice!!

Thursday July 11 our day at the grounds like royalty!

 Part of the package, look at that parking spot!

$80.00 worth of drink tickets! 

Cheers! Yahoooo

Rodeo show, cowboys from above, fireworks, and the show is on

The Canadian flag skydivers

another part of our package, all we can eat grandstand food, delivered to our seats!!

Broncing bucks... 

Maddie's booth won best drink award!!!

a new food truck.... Mac and Cheese 

Reel Mac and Cheese, all the food had movie titles,

 I was debating between Some like it hot, and The Main Event, Some like it hot won.. 

Our Matching "Uniform" Attendance 103,648

Off to Dianne's Stampede party, Kevin and Erica, Dianne me and Craig. 

It turned really cold, really fast, so we had to retreat home.

Saturday July 13 Me and Maddie went to a Stampede Breakfast. Nenshi did the opening YaHoo!!

Quick bite then off to work for Maddie.

And that was our Stampede Experience....

Final attendance for the Stampede, that went on 10 days after being flooded was a whopping 1,133,050 WOW!!!!!

Congratz to the Calgary Stampede an amazing Stampede this year, and from the grounds view... you wouldn't have known it was covered in mud. water and silt a week before! Beautiful Job!!