Cow City International

Day trip into Calgary today. Unfortunately our biggest stop was the Glenbow Museum in the centre of the city, and they weren`t big on flash photography for the majority of their exhibits, and once you`re out of the photo taking mindset, it doesn't really come up again until you're out of that area I find.

Started the trip off with a ride up the Calgary Tower. I have to say it isn't as impressive as the CN Tower, but it still gives you a great view of the city. If the weather was more cooperative, it would give you an excellent view of the Rocky Mountains, alas we didn't have such luck today.

You can't quite poke god in the eye with it, but you might be able to get his big toe with it.

Based on how the weather was, we had to settle for a dazzling view of the Calgary skyskape. Later in the afternoon we went up again before leaving as the weather started to clear up (Once you pay you get unlimited entry for the rest of the day) but we still couldn't see the mountains. We were able to see our car from the Tower thought!

Nothing like travelling 100m into the air just to keep tabs on your vehicle. Our's is the third one up from the bottom on the left side.

However, as I said, despite the weather we still got a good view of the downtown area. No option to go outside on an observation deck (Thankfully).

Not sure what the big building is, but the builders seemed to be engaged in a 'our building is bigger than yours' contest with the rest of downtown Calgary.

The next stop was the Glenbow Museum, which I didn't get any pictures of. It was a really nice museum with an excellent price ($9 for students!). Divided into four floors, they had a temporary exhibit of a photographer who took plenty of portraits of important 20th century figures, most notably Winston Churchill. They also had an exhibit showing up the sculptures of southeast Asia and a section of artwork donated by the museums founder.

The third floor was a history of Alberta, Calgary and the Native Peoples of the Region. Not much to say about this floor other than the fact that Albertans, Native of otherwise seem to be quite the grievous bunch. They have always had some level of dissatisfaction about one thing or the other over their coloured history.

Fourth floor was an exhibit on Minerals, so lots of semi-precious stones and a comprehensive collection of geodes and other minerals in their natural state. Then there was a five century history of warfare that travelled through military culture, uniform, weapons and buildings across the world. All very intriguing stuff.

After the Museum it was already four in the afternoon and we had to be getting back. We wondered around the downtown area for a little while taking in the sights. Similar to Drumheller and their dinosaurs, there were a number of horse sculptures around the downtown area.

The lady across the street had no idea she was going to be Internet famous

After a bit of wondering, the sky opened on us and we decided it was a good time to head back. Geoff's Aunt Lynn treated us to a steak dinner at the Cattle Baron and it was delicious! I have to say hospitality must run in the Sayre family, because no matter where we end up, if they're in town, we get treated like royalty.

This was our last day in Calgary, tomorrow we're off to Banff for some hiking and luxury hotel staying.