Alberta Trip 2023 Day 8 Monday June 12 Calgary

 LAST UPDATED: January 2, 2026

This is the 8^th of a series of posts dealing with my 2023 trip to Calgary, Edmonton, and vicinity. I’ve made minor corrections to these reports (typos, bits I don’t feel like making public). Also, I’ve added additional thoughts with the hindsight of a year later or to add further clarification. These are indicated by “NOW”.

 Definitely one of the better days despite a few quibbles. My alarm from last week woke me up around 4; that was supposed to be one only. Did manage to get a bit more sleep. Sleeping in a bed is far nicer than a bunk. I eventually got up and checked the forecast. The next two days were supposed to be sunny (albeit smoky today) followed by rain Wednesday and Thursday. Since I had park focussed days scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, I hedged my bets and did my Wednesday itinerary today. Passing a rabbit (maybe the same one as before) I had breakfast at the A&W nearest to the Calgary Hub hostel, after a short bit of wandering around before the dining room opened at 7. Unlike what I'm used to, that A&W asks to stay or to go rather than for here or to go.

[NOW: That A&W is on McKnight Blvd.] 

Because of the limited places you can get a day buspass I walked the long distance to SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. I think it was there that I saw another rabbit. There was construction there but finally managed to reach the light rail station there. I bought a daypass (all transit today Calgary Transit) and took a 201/Red Line CTrain to 39 Ave Station. I bought a Slurpee at a nearby 7-11 and walked to Stanley Park, which I also visited last Tues. I walked to Britannica Park (my map book called it Riverdale Park but it's a bit outdated). I saw people walking through the river because it was so shallow. I walked in a little but decided that while crossing the river would have made for a good story, I didn't want to risk slipping and dunking the camera in water. From there I crossed over to the not entirely accurately named Sandy Beach. It did have a restroom. I walked west and then south to a Circle K. They were almost out of sandwiches so because I knew I'd be at my next destination awhile, I reluctantly spent over $8 on two premade sandwiches, and also bought a Pepsi Frostee.

[NOW: That Circle K is on Crowsnest Trail SW.] 

Heading south I dodged the metaphorical bullet: my backpack has two separate zippers to the same back section and the lower one had started to unzip; I noticed this when I sat down for a rest and saw my other camera sticking out. I zipped it up and soon after saw my next bus (66) on a layover and ran to it. Had I not needed a rest right before then, there's a good chance that when I ran for the bus, the other camera would have fallen out and landed on concrete. Instead I had a more relaxing trip to Weaselhead Flats. 

Weaselhead Flats has some amazing views of the Elbow River, some from above, some at ground level. It was a nice place to hike and I got some great shots. There's one area for people who are a bit... uninhibited (as tends to be the case for some middle-agers, but not this particular middle-ager). Fortunately because there were only a few and mainly spaces apart a fair ways, I was able to get photos of the river without people in the shots even there. But that was only a tiny section of the nature reserve. I also saw a group of school kids so it's definitely all ages friendly overall. And there are so many nice and distinct views of the river, including where it curves, I would say that it's not to be missed when visiting Calgary.

 I took another 66 bus back downtown (it arrived at the stop just after I did; really lucked out there). After grabbing some bus schedules from a transit centre, I walked to City Hall, having noticed on the train that this one also has water jets, though the set-up's a bit different (larger so jets more spaced out, and apparently not chlorinated). One guy was scolding the fountain. Restrooms were closed and the sign said they weren't to be used as changing rooms anyway. There were portable potties nearby so I changed into my swimsuit and walked into the jets.

[NOW: The water jets are actually at Olympic Plaza, so near City Hall but not at it.]

I was supposed to bus to Chestermere soon after but it's an hour each way and there were only two buses going there spaced an hour apart. Plus it would have made for a more late dinner. I decided not to risk it. I instead took a 202/Blue Line CTrain to McKnight-Westwinds Station. I couldn't find Talwandi Video. The Real Canadian Superstore wanted too much for cold drinks. I took another 202 CTrain to Calgary Zoo Station.

[NOW; Talwandi Video Store, if still around at the time, is now closed.] 

I visited the zoo, focussing on animatronic dinosaurs. I did see one wild animal: a large garter snake crossed the path I was on. I know some would be unnerved but it was just going about its business same as me. I took another CTrain back to City Hall. Definitely time better spent than in Chestermere. I grabbed strawberry water from a tourist shop and then grabbed a 3 bus; this time being unencumbered I was able to switch from the 5 stop to the 3. A little worried that the guy behind me was coughing. I got off and grabbed dinner from my usual A&W before returning to the hostel. I told a guy what I did today and he said it was a busy day. I told him this was one of my slower days.

[NOW: There’s more to the zoo story but I decided I didn’t want to share it with the public. I folded in the snake bit from a later report.]

Alberta Trip 2023 Day 7 Sunday June 11 Edmonton to Calgary

LAST UPDATED: January 2, 2026 

This is the 7^th of a series of posts dealing with my 2023 trip to Calgary, Edmonton, and vicinity. I’ve made minor corrections to these reports (typos, bits I don’t feel like making public). Also, I’ve added additional thoughts with the hindsight of a year later or to add further clarification. These are indicated by “NOW”.

After doing laundry I turned in (dormmates thought I was in my 20s) at around 8 but then woke up at 2 and couldn't get back to sleep. No one's fault; body was just restless. Around 5 I walked along 82^nd Ave then 109 St, noticing it was getting smoky (it might well have been all along but was more noticeable). I grabbed breakfast from the usual McDonald's after the dining room (vs. take out) opened. After checking out from H-I Edmonton I took an 8 bus (Edmonton Transit) to downtown. I did a final visit to the (dry) City Hall fountain and then walked to the downtown Rider Express stop. I was originally supposed to get on at Southgate but yesterday I switched the location to ensure I got a window seat. I was first to arrive; the second person correctly guessed we needed to check in inside.

 [NOW: The above McDonald’s is on 109 St NW].

Rider Express took us to Tim Horton's, Red Deer where the layover was longer than expected. Noticeably a lot more smoky there. I was going to get some lunch but they still had the breakfast menu. I decided to get a breakfast biscuit for a later lunch, but the two people at the counter were arguing and I lost interest in trying to get their attention. The bus stopped in downtown Calgary further south than before. About as smoky as Red Deer. I arrived at a bus stop. A 3 bus (all remaining transit references today Calgary Transit) that would have taken only a little longer showed up, but with my luggage there wasn't time to dash to a different bus stop. After a half hour wait a 5 bus showed up. I got a transfer but only for half an hour. I took the bus to near the hostel. I got turned around a little but finally checked in, then had a 2:15ish lunch at the nearby A&W. I did a long walk most of the way to Brentwood Centre. It was getting close to CD Trader's closing time so I got on a couple stops before Brentwood intending to use that transfer but accidentally left it on the bus. After visiting CD Trader in the mall I bought another single fare at Brentwood Station rather than risk a fine. I took the 212/Red Line CTrain to downtown Calgary.

[NOW: That A&W is on McKnight Blvd.] 

I revisited Sanktjuri-Buks in Eau Claire Market, this time visiting their video section in a room on the opposite side (width) of a hall. I also returned to Prince's Island Park. I revisited the McDonald’s in the no-car area though they screwed up my order. Heading north I grabbed a Slurpee from a 7-11 before returning to the hostel.

[NOW: The above McDonald’s is on 8^th St SW].

Since this report's a little lean I'll add: most bus services I've used announce street bus is on first, cross street second. Edmonton Transit does the reverse. And Calgary address numbers correspond to before the cross street not after like most places. For example, 456 7th Street would be before 3rd and 4th Avenue, not before 4th and 5th.

 Overlooked: the day before yesterday a couple of probable Mormons tried to engage me in conversation but I accurately said I was too tired to chat.

Alberta Trip 2023 Day 6 Saturday June 10 Edmonton

 LAST UPDATED: January 2, 2026

This is the 6^th of a series of posts dealing with my 2023 trip to Calgary, Edmonton, and vicinity. I’ve made minor corrections to these reports (typos, bits I don’t feel like making public). Also, I’ve added additional thoughts with the hindsight of a year later or to add further clarification. These are indicated by “NOW”.

 I woke up around 3:15 but then fell back asleep until around 5:15 when someone's alarm went off. Nature of hostel life. Finally got access to Facebook (before Facebook would hang during security bit). I had breakfast at the same McDonald's as Thur morning then crossed the North Saskatchewan River and visited the Legislature again. The part being renovated partly is over a highway. Saw a grey rabbit. I passed Rogers Place, and visited City Hall. The fountain was off so I wandered through the fountain area getting shots. A pigeon was perched on the shoulder of a statue of Winston Churchill. I headed south and got a nice river view from way above. I went down a ways and got more of a view from the Frederick G. Todd lookout. I crossed another bridge over the river and wandered to a riverboat. I couldn't find a pedestrian bridge. It might have been replaced with a new Mill Woods light rail line bridge. I crossed the same bridge and because a different path was closed, climbed up the same stairs I went down.

[NOW: That McDonald's is at 109 St NW.] 

I got a couple more comic trades at downtown Wee Book Inn and then walked to Edmonton City Centre, then City Hall, where the jets were on. I changed into my swimsuit and cooled off. Heading back to a bridge, a harmless looking woman wanted me to take a photo of her. Don't know why but she seemed harmless so I did. I made my way back to H-I Edmonton because I needed a fresh copy of my address list. I wanted to visit Corellian Comics but the antique market I think it was in said no large backpacks. After A&W lunch I visited Alhambra Books and revisited the 82 Ave Wee Book Inn; didn't see the cat this time. I worked my way towards the river, getting photos of indigenous art. I crossed over the river, getting another Gatorade from Dollarama. I revised City Hall, where I changed back into my swimtrunks and got refreshed in the fountain again. I rested a bit and then revised the outside of Rogers. I passed a fair by Grant McEwan University, where I found a drinking fountain. I wanted more photos of Rogers but my body said no.

I worked my way back to 82nd Ave. At the Lobby, an alternative video store, there were no discards though you could pay for the regular stock. I didn't feel like second guessing prices so left and went to the same Tim Horton's as Thursday. At the hostel there's only one washer, so getting clothes clean has been a bit of a slow process (one person ahead of me). I got a lemonade Slushee from the Circle K I got the water from yesterday. Not liking next week's weather forecast.

[NOW: There was rain the following week but not for as long as I feared, tough I did have some camera issues. Smoke was an issue however. See later reports.]