Another adventure, this one an urban hike, which we did in the depths of winter but you can do anytime. A short “stroll” (for us), follow the Bow River making a loop of sorts where one travels down one side and up the other. Along the way we’re witness to lots of wildlife, including majestic bald eagles, anglers practising their craft, many of them in fact, and countless fine views of the river itself.
If you follow our route, perhaps you’ll see all we did too. It’s a pleasant little jaunt regardless most of it passing through green spaces. The always noisy Deerfoot makes an appearance.
A good start is at Cabrburn Park in the community of Riverbend downstream from the city’s core. Find the main paved pathway heading south. Pass a large pond, then another that during the colder months is used for skating. In summer, these are more a water bird kinda place. Leave the park, hit the street on a sidewalk for a block or two, then enter another green space. Cross over the river at a pedestrian bridge, enter a dog park and turn left (south). Expect to meet many new four-legged friends here.
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Squeeze between a cement plant and the river. Warmer than usual temperatures have kept the water from fully freezing. On our visit both banks were lined wall to wall with ducks and geese.
Pass under busy Deerfoot Trail (we warned you it was coming), right after switchback up a bit to the top of a bluff, backing on a residential neighbourhood, and then less than a click on, drop back down to river level and enter a green space. Cross over to the other bank via a foot bridge and turn left. In this wooded area, a river flat, are some good places to enjoy a lunch break. Fallen trees make good benches. Of course, we break out some wine. Mountains or in-city, we always hike with a bottle (and if friends join us, two)
Look around in the area and maybe you’ll spot a bald eagle. We saw two but both were a bit camera shy. Talking with locals, they often hang out on the tops of the tall evergreens that grow on the opposite bank overlooking the waters, using them as good fish spotting platforms. Human anglers are common here too. Fishing on the Bow, even in town, is always quite good.
Pass under Deerfoot again and enter an open area. Notice all the new houses and condos. Some time ago, this new neighbourhood was once a gravel pit for the cement plant across the river. There used to be a bridge connecting one to the other. To the right is a wooded flood plain.
Before long meet up with that foot bridge you crossed earlier and soon after enter Carburn Park again. We take time to watch the actions in the frozen ponds. The one for skaters is doughnut shaped, with a centre island. Since we passed it the number of people on it has increased greatly. The second pond seems popular with cross-country skiers.
Not ready to call it a day yet, we wander about the park a few times. It’s a busy place but on a warm sunny winter day, no one is in a bad mood. It’s nice to get out!
Ready to call it a day, head for the car, twelve clicks or so
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One aspect of Calgary we really like is the extensive pathways system. There are hundred and hundred of kilometres worth of them, heading to all corners of the city, most of them paved (and some plowed in winter). Many pass through many of the city’s green spaces. We make use of them a lot in winter especially, when we can’t make it to hills for what ever reason. They’re one thing that makes this city a great place. What a wonderful resource.
If you wish more information on this route, by all means contact us!
Date of adventure: January, 2016. Location: Calgary, AB. Distance: 12km. Height gain maximum: 40m. Height gain cumulative: 40m. NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate.
(via Facebook) We did a lot of that on a long ride last summer, when I finally did the Bowness to Fish Creek loop that I’d planned for a while. Winter is more appealing, you should have seen the mud hole the pathway had become under Deerfoot!
The Legion Hall and Monarch Garage, Loverna Saskatchewan, early 1990s (not 1970s as shown) and the same view in 2017. There's not much going on in Loverna these days, but long ago it was a very active and vibrant community. This was shot between takes while working on the Telus Documentary "Forgotten Prairie" by Rueben Tschetter.
Check the comments for more information. Original image thanks to and copyright Philip Brown.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Posted by Connie.
It's no secret Team BIGDoer is Boler obsessed but we're actually not owners, funny as it sounds. We can only dream and you know if we could, we would. The only thing holding us back from buying one, like the nice example seen here, is the cash to actually make the purchase and a proper vehicle to haul it around. Other than that, we're good to go!
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2021. Posted by Connie.
When exploring old farm properties, we always check out any nearby low lying areas or coulees. In case they hold any treasures. Jackpot! This is usually where farmers dumped retired old cars and equipment no longer needed. Out of sight, out of mind.
This car's a little more special than usual and is an uncommon post-WW2 Nash. A 600 we believe, but we're not the greatest at this. Scroll down to the comments to see a closer look and a comparison shot of a restored example.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2014. Posted by Connie.
While on the subject of old Hotels and the Beer Parlour Project, here's Len, proprietor of the Elk River Inn (aka the Hoz) in Hosmer BC back in 2022. It's one of the first places visited by our group and sadly, we just found out the fellow passed away a few months back. This image was shot on film with an old-fashioned view camera.
During the interview Chris mistakenly called it the Elk Valley Inn and got an earful from Len. He was such a character and with an infectious dry wit! With his passing the business closed and we're not sure what the future holds in store. Look for a bonus photo of him in the comments.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2022. Posted by Connie.
The Beer Parlour Project will be on the road this coming weekend and up by Edmonton. Team BIGDoer and photographer Rob Pohl, with his big view camera, are visiting the Warspite Hotel, Warspite Alberta the evening of April 12th and the Viking Hotel in Viking Alberta on the 13th.
We'll get to know some history, interview local characters and old timers, down a few chicken wings and with our cameras capture a little slice of Canadiana. These businesses are a throwback to another time and we're chronicling as many as we can while they're still here. It's 12 down with maybe a 100 to go.
If you're in the area, drop by and chat! Watch for the Beer Parlour Project Website coming soon.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photos: 2023 (Coleman Grand Union Coleman AB & traditional Beer Parlour glasses). Posted by Connie.
Great day to be out!
Especially when it’s with you!
(via Facebook)
We did a lot of that on a long ride last summer, when I finally did the Bowness to Fish Creek loop that I’d planned for a while. Winter is more appealing, you should have seen the mud hole the pathway had become under Deerfoot!
Haha, streak up the back time?