American Thanksgiving

Geoff and Melissa have lived in the States for twelve years.  We've shared many holidays with them but never Thanksgiving; probably because the American version (last Thursday in November) doesn't fall on the same date as the Canadian one (second Monday in October).  This year we decided to celebrate my favourite holiday twice.

We flew from Calgary on November 19th and pretty much waltzed through security and customs.  We knew that this week was the busiest travel week in the States so were relieved that that chaos had not yet spilled into Canada.  Geoff and Elijah met us while Melissa and Miles cleaned house.  We had a wonderful pork roast dinner waiting when we arrived at their home.

Sunday was a big day for Elijah as he was baptized.  He had come to the decision on his own having formed a relationship with God at the tender age of four.  The pastor introduced him to the congregation as the future pastor of the church and no one could dispute this after hearing him speak.  He told of how he felt about the baptism saying he was afraid of getting water up his nose but not afraid of speaking of his faith before an audience.  He and Geoff left to get changed into their swimsuits then we met at the pool.  Since the church rents a high school for its services, this meant walking down the hall after picking up Miles at Sunday school.

As the congregation gathered in the bleachers, the youth pastor and Geoff supported Elijah as he spoke again of finding his faith.  The baptism was quick and Elijah did NOT get water up his nose.  Geoff beamed with pride as they left the pool.  I suggested that Elijah choose his baptism supper and he wanted lamb and green (mint) jelly.  So Geoff and I went off shopping.  We also bought all the fixings for Thanksgiving.

Monday, the kids had school so I joined Melissa in taking them there.  We then went on some errands, first letterboxing at her library.  She had hidden a hand-carved stamp of Mr. Tumnus which I found.  I had brought my personal stamp with me so could record my find in the stamp's logbook.  It's a fun hobby that gets you to places you might never go.  It was my 10th find so I now have a blue ribbon on my Atlas Quest webpage (Melissa has over 100 finds).  We also checked out a box she had planted that may have gone missing.  It had been tucked into a brick wall and landscapers must have thrown it away when they repaired it.  She had to re-carve the stamp and we planted it again later in the week.  Tuesday, I did another letterbox at a nearby coffee shop, Carino Coffee, and enjoyed a Pumpkin Chai Latté.

Wednesday, the kids were on holiday so Geoff took the car to Boulder (he normally spends 2 hours on the bus).  We walked to Southlands Mall and did some shopping.  I bought four Hollyberry Candles at the Yankee Candle there.  They make the best ones and it is a scent almost impossible to buy in Canada.  While the kids napped after lunch, I made Geoff's version of cranberry sauce and began preparations for Glen's Mom's jellied cranberry salad (a request from Geoff).  I didn't have my recipe with me but I think I nailed it (I've made it for at least 35 Christmas dinners so you'd think I'd remember it).

Thanksgiving Day dawned warm and sunny.  The pumpkin pie was cooking, the turkey brining, and the dressing prepped so the male Armstrongs headed outside for the traditional football game.  I put my camera on sports mode and went nuts recording the antics of the players.  Chris Taylor had given me an 8 GB memory card for my Canon so I could pound off 325 pictures without blinking an eye (or filling my card).  Then I remembered my Olympus took video so I filmed one of the catches Elijah made and Miles demonstrating how he could roll around in a nylon fire truck.

At 3 pm, we turned on the radio to listen to Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant Massacree then began cooking a Thanksgiving dinner that 'couldn't be beat'.  Everything came together for a wonderful meal enhanced by the arrival of Mr. Kelly and Mrs. Kelly (long story) bearing rolls, pumpkin cheesecake, and chocolate pecan pie.  Elijah wanted everyone to add to Miles' grace so we each said our own words of thanks.  The turkey was delicious as were the bourbon sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, bacon-enhanced gravy, cranberry sauce and salad, all washed down with Beaujolais Nouveau.  After clearing away the dishes, we trooped outside to witness the turning on of the Christmas lights.  After oohing and aahing at the display, we sat down to consume the desserts.  All were delicious although Glen had to eat some of mine as I was too full.

Black Friday begins for some at midnight.  Stores closed for Thanksgiving open, discount their goods, and allow shoppers to begin Christmas shopping on a day most have off.  Opening times vary but all are doing business by very early in the morning.  Glen had agreed to accompany Melissa to find bargains for Christmas.  My dislike of shopping and crowds is renown so I stayed home with Geoff.  As it turned out, all the craziness was over by 9 am when Melissa and Glen hit the stores.  An hour later, they had everything they wanted but Melissa thought I should check out the deals.  I was unsuccessful in getting any bargains but it was fun to partake of this American tradition.

Sunday we left very early to catch our flight knowing it was the busiest travel day of the year.  Geoff dropped us off 2 hours before and we began the process by standing in line to get our boarding passes.  Then we wound our way around the barricades through security.  I had a full body scan for the first time.  By the time we reached the gate, an hour had passed.  We were quickly bundled onto the plane and it left on time.  As we approached Calgary, the pilot warned us there were high chinook winds blowing but most who have flown into our airport have experienced this.  Then he added that we'd have to circle as there was only one runway in use.  As we did so, our plane was buffeted by gusting winds.  As it pitched and yawed, we made our approach.  I was sure a wingtip would touch ground as we landed so breathed a sigh of relief at the gate.  The usually long customs lines were nonexistent but we had to wait at the luggage carousel.  I must ask the question, "Why does it take 30 minutes to unload a tiny plane?" but perhaps the winds were causing problems.  Meg and Mike picked us up and as we drove home, the winds battered us.  It turned out the peak of the storm hit just after we landed and did much damage downtown.  So much so, the city closed the area to traffic and warned people to stay inside.  Here is a video taking of a plane landing at that time.  I am so glad it wasn't ours.

Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo

How about you, you, you.  You can come too, too, too.

So goes the song the kids used to sing about the zoo.  Somewhere there was also a mention of buffalo poo which we didn't see when Meg and I went to the zoo with Lynda and Chris.

The Calgary Zoo is unique because it has dinosaurs (not to be confused with Dinosaur Zoo on iTunes for the iPad).  Founded in 1929, it began with 36 mammals and 78 birds (the offspring of 6 black squirrels donated by Toronto have spread across the city).  In 1936, 56 dinosaur sculptures were commissioned and so began the zoo's relationship with these ancient beasts.

However, for our zoo visit (Chris' generous treat), we decided it was too cold to view the Prehistoric Park and so spent our time wandering in and out of the various zoo habitats.  We parked in the North parking lot then crossed the Bow River to St. George's Island where the original zoo was built.  We later learned the West parking lot (and gift shop) closes during the winter months.  

Our first stop was the African Savannah, a nice warm building housing the hippos and giraffes.  The lions were outside napping in the morning sun while the zebras tried to eat breakfast, battling ostriches for fresh hay.  Funnily enough, the ostriches won every fight so the zebras only ate when the giant birds allowed.

Next, we stepped into the TransAlta Rainforest building.  It was very humid.  So much so that the lenses of our cameras fogged up.  Most frustrating.  However, we all got a few shots that were mist-free.  The gorillas were pretty lively and we enjoyed watching a couple playing together.

The Enmax Conservatory was also humid.  There were a few butterflies flitting about the Butterfly room but most were gone for the winter.  We enjoyed the flowers and pumpkin displays then crossed into the original greenhouse with banana and lobster-claw trees, orchids, and other exotic plants.

By this time we were hungry.  Lynda treated us to an early lunch in Kitamba Café.  The school kids came in later so we enjoyed ours in peace.  Lynda and I had homemade vegetable soup that was delicious with a hot dog while Chris and Meg dug into hamburgers and poutine (C) and chili fries (M).

South America beckoned and we enjoyed the antics of the New World Monkeys.  After which, we wandered over to Elephant Crossing (Eurasia) and watched these magnificent creatures play with their toys.  As we wandered the Discovery Trail, we passed cages with macques, snow leopards, and tigers.  The most exciting moment being when we spotted a very active Red Panda.  We also saw the preparations being made for Zoo Lights, an event where the zoo is lit up with Christmas lights.

After the tigers, we retraced our steps and crossed the river to explore the Canadian Wilds with its mountain sheep and goats.  The moose and mule deer could also be seen hiding in the brush.

We were exhausted when we finally hit the new gift shop (it opened two weeks ago) but Lynda and Chris perked up when they saw some items that would suit family and friends.  Meg drove us home--three happy and tired boomers.

Of course, we didn't see everything the zoo offers.  The dinosaurs will have to wait until next time as will the Australian and Creatures of the Night displays.  As with most zoo trips, some animals were asleep while others hid in their dens so we all have an excuse to visit the Calgary Zoo again.

Mountain Adventure

My sister, Lynda, and Chris arrived last week for a brief visit.  Both are avid photographers so we made plans to drive out to Johnston Canyon near Banff.  We've done the hike to the Upper Falls (2.7 kms) many times (see A Weekend in the Mountains blog) when we stay in a nearby campground.  It is an easy walk with self-guiding plaques educating you on the beauties of the canyon (and yes, Glen reads them each time).

Lynda had been to the area before (see Photo Shoot blog) but we didn't hike the trail that day.  This time, despite nursing a healing, broken shoulder, she was determined to photograph more than just the creek near the parking lot.  But first, we wanted to take pictures of the mountain bathed in early morning light.  The crack of dawn was 8:30 am so we actually had a chance to sleep in on Saturday before taking off.

We drove Highway 1A to Cochrane then continued along it to Exshaw (where Canadian actor, Bruno Gerussi grew up).  We'd never been down this highway which parallels the TransCanadian but on the other side of the Bow River.  Due to its lighter traffic, Glen could stop whenever Lynda or Chris wished to take photos.  The first pause was for some horses near the road.  While L&C checked out the horses, I spotted what I thought was a deer in the valley near a conspiracy (flock) of ravens.  I caught the scene with my 300 mm lens.  Upon returning to the car, I saw a wolf leaving the scene.  Later, I discovered my 'deer' was really a wolf and the ravens were feeding on its kill.

Our next stop was McDougall Memorial United Church near Morley, Alberta.  Originally a Methodist church, it was constructed in 1875 as part of mission serving the Natives in the area.  It is significant to the history of the region as it was also the site of the first permanent homestead in southern Alberta.  Reverend George McDougall and his son, John, were instrumental in preparing the way for other settlers to southern Alberta.

The lighting was perfect for photographs and Lynda, Chris, and I went nuts (Glen read the many plaques telling of the building's history).  We all tried to capture the essence of the site through our camera lenses and returned with three completely different sets of pictures.  It always amazes me how each photographer sees a scene and adds their own personality to their photos of it.

Near Exshaw, we came upon a herd of Rocky Mountain, or Bighorn, Sheep.  We weren't the only ones stopping to photograph these animals.  At this point, the secondary road ended so we returned to the main highway.  We'd pick up Highway 1A again just beyond Banff and take it to Johnston Canyon.

I always love the mountains when they have snow upon them as it brings out the cragginess of the rock faces.  Too much snow and this contrast is lost.  Last week, the snowfall was perfect and Lynda captured it beautifully with her shots from the car.

However, this dusting of snow also blanketed the road into the canyon.  Our snow tires were in the garage awaiting installation so we did a bit of sliding before reaching the parking lot.  We then ate our picnic lunch before heading up the trail.  It was chilly in the shadows of the trees and the snow well tramped.  This led to some very slippery patches.  I even did some boot-skiing along the cement walkways.

Our grumbling about the icy conditions vanished at the first waterfall where shimmering icicles bracketed the tumbling water.  Snow sat like marshmallows on rocks and logs and the sun peeking through the pines created a beauty that was magical.  The hike which we knew so well changed into a wonderland reminiscent of a Christmas card.  I was sure I had enough photos of the canyon but every bend in the river brought a new aspect to the creek and its rocky walls which I had to capture.

We weren't alone on the trail as it is a popular one.  From babies in strollers to grandmothers hobbling along on high-heels, everyone enjoyed the brisk mountain air.  We helped an Australian solve a problem with his camera and laughed with a gaggle of girls who had tumbled onto the snowy path.

The Lower Falls were spectacular in their wintery garb and the Upper Falls thundered through the ice, its canyon walls dripping with icicles.  Whiskey Jacks and ravens flew through the forest and chickadees serenaded us as we walked.  Cougars had been spotted on Sulphur Mountain but we saw no evidence of them here.

By the time we returned to the car, the afternoon was waning.  I had hoped to do a letterbox in Canmore but decided that could wait for another day.  We were all pretty tired from our adventure so the trip home was quiet except for the periodic clicking of Chris's shutter as he caught the mountains bathed in afternoon light.

To see our photos, click here for mine and here for Lynda's.  Chris's are pending.