#148 May 2017 Family and Friends are Special!

From Calgary Ralph drove to Edam SK to spend time with brother Paul as he recovered from quadruple bypass surgery. Paul was already feeling better than he had in many years. However, Paul needed companionship and company to help him resist doing more than the doctor’s orders allowed. He misses Margo very much as she was his constant companion for 21 years of marriage. Other family members try to fill the void.

Ralph and Paul took in the activities and eating opportunities in Edam and spent time with Paul’s friends (most of the people in Edam!). They picked away at small household projects and enjoyed their “brother time”.

I stayed in Calgary with Dave and Danica for an extra ten days. It was a privilege to spend time with Danica almost every day for two weeks. One of the most special words in my world is “Grama!” There can never be enough snuggles and hugs, quiet conversations and craft projects with all of our grandchildren.

We had one day completely to ourselves. Danica escorted me to her favorite neighbourhood restaurant for lunch and told me about her activities and interests as we walked. In the nearby leisure centre there was a “Rock, Gem and Fossil” show. We had a great time looking at rocks and fossils many of which were made into jewelry and ornaments. Danica was very impressed that we didn’t spend any money but brought home lots of goodies! There were grab bags and samples for the kids as well as rock painting activities.

I really enjoyed watching Danica perform with her Rhythmic Gymnastics group during the Alberta Gymnastics Gymfest.

Danica is on the right of the photo. She did very well despite a sore knee for the previous few days. We were proud of her for completing the program.

During my days I met family and friends. My cousin Betty picked me up for lunch and we caught up on each other lives.

My sister Judy and I went for a day trip to Banff. It was a journey down memory lane as Ralph and I lived in Canmore from 1974 to 1978 while Ralph worked in Banff.

We stopped at the Lac des Arcs viewpoint where we were reminded about the history of the “rock industries” across the lake in the Exshaw area.

Over the years, this mountain of limestone has shrunk and then grown into the cement used in buildings, roads, dams, oil wells and countless other structures we seldom think about.

This tiny island in Lac des Arcs usually has a picnic table and flag but we have never seen anyone enjoying the spot.

As we enter the mountains this peak always catches our attention. Currently named Ha Ling Peak it was originally called Chinaman’s Peak. There are two similar stories about the origin of the name.

In 1896 Ha Ling was a cook at a Canadian Pacific Railway camp near the town of Canmore. He was bet that he couldn’t climb the peak and plant a flag on the summit in less than 10 hours. He reportedly started the ascent at 7am and was back down in time for lunch.

No one believed he had managed the climb so he subsequently led a party of “doubters” to the summit where he planted a larger flag which was visible from Canmore. Locals referred to the peak as Chinaman’s Peak in his honour until 1997 when it was renamed Ha Ling Peak.

The steep 3km trail gains 845m of elevation and is one of the most popular hikes in the area.

Cascade Mountain dominates the approach to Banff National Park.

The waterfall on the left always has running water or is a beautiful icefall. In early May it was both. It is also a popular climbing route.

Another side of Cascade Mountain draws your attention from Banff Avenue.

From Banff we drove 5km to Lake Minnewanka. The ice was getting soft and showing the beautiful green glacier fed colour.

On the upper mountain slopes the snow was melting and running down the cliffs.

Returning to Calgary Judy and I reminisced about the Three Sisters Mountain that was the view from our living room window when Ralph and I, Dave and Kari lived in Canmore.

 

Back in Calgary Karen introduced me to Reader Rock Garden, a little known park directly south of Stampede Park. It is tucked into the southeast corner of Union Cemetery.

William Roland Reader was the Superintendent for Calgary Parks from 1913 to 1942. He transformed this bare hillside into an internationally acclaimed garden. Reader used the Garden to educate people about the gardening potential of the prairies/foothills region of Alberta, particularly Calgary.

Reader started his own tree nursery and planted this very exotic, newly introduced, Colorado blue spruce.

A replica of Reader’s original cottage is now the Reader Garden Café. This view is from the verandah.

After a long cold winter, spring was just starting in early May.

A few spring flowers were searching for the sunshine.

I wish I had known about this garden when we lived in Calgary. I love gardening but it is very challenging dealing with the dry air and wind.