With so much focus on our YouTube channel, the blog and our written content has been getting ignored. I decided to remedy that by taking a look back at some photos we have taken on this day in previous years. While doing that, I noticed a bit of a theme emerged and that was “signs”.
Our first stop is historic Fort Macleod in southern Alberta. We captured a number of great signs on our way through town last year on this day.
Opening in 1912, the Empress Theatre features a classic sign which can be seen in the movie “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”, which is actually the reason we stopped.
The Empress Theatre is significant as one of the last remaining examples of small town theatre architecture in Alberta. As the last remaining theatre in Fort Macleod, the Empress is also representative of the social and cultural life of the town since the theatre’s construction in 1912. SOURCE: EMPRESS THEATRE. Historicplaces.ca – historicplaces.ca. (n.d.). https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=5891
Photo by Emily Overes, October 30, 2022 Nestled in the small town of Fort MacLeod, Johnny’s Restaurant offers a unique blend of Chinese and Western cuisine at affordable prices. The establishment boasts a clean and friendly ambiance with a mix of historical and modern interior design elements. SOURCE: Johnny’s Restaurant in Fort MacLeod – Restaurant reviews. (2023, September 29). Restaurant Guru. https://restaurantguru.com/Johnnys-Restaurant-Fort-MacLeod
Photo by Emily Overes, October 30, 2022
Every small town on the prairies needs a Chinese restaurant and one way to tell a good restaurant is a classic neon sign like this one from the New Silver Grill Restaurant.
First opened in 1910, the Silver Grill Restaurant has been a historical foundational pillar for Fort Macleod as the oldest operating restaurant in Western Canada. SOURCE: History. (n.d.). New Silver Grill Restaurant. http://www.silvergrill.ca/history.html
Photo by Emily Overes, October 30, 2022
This sign hangs outside the former Greyhound Station and was a familiar sight to me when I used to make multiple trips per year between Calgary and Lethbridge on the bus in the early 1990s.
Photo by Emily Overes, October 30, 2022
And, this sign tour would not be complete without the Queens Hotel.
The Queen’s Hotel was one of the first buildings in Fort Macleod to be built of sandstone. It was built in 1903 to replace an earlier, smaller, wood-frame hotel of the same name. SOURCE: Rkelland. (2015, March 25). Queen’s Hotel, Fort MacLeod. RETROactive. https://albertashistoricplaces.com/2013/01/15/queens-hotel-fort-macleod/
Photos by Emily Overes, October 30, 2022
It’s not just neo signs that we love. We’re also big fans of signs painted on the sides of buildings such as on the American Hotel.
The American Hotel
Photo by Emily Overes, October 30, 2022
And, it’s not just Fort Macleod that we have photographed on this day. Back in 2015 we stopped to check out the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Featured prominently is this industrial-sized sign proudly proclaiming “Gold Medal Flour”.
Soon after Minneapolis was born on the Mississippi’s west bank, the city’s flour milling industry skyrocketed. Powered by the mighty river and fed by boxcars of grain rolling in from the plains, the industry gave Minneapolis bragging rights as the “Flour Milling Capital of the World.” Explore where old mingles with new at Mill City Museum, built into the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill. SOURCE: Mill City Museum | Minnesota Historical Society. (n.d.). https://www.mnhs.org/millcity
Photo by Emily Overes, October 30, 2015
Hopefully you enjoyed a look back at some of the photos we have taken on this day. Maybe I’ll make this a regular feature?
There is a brand new park in Calgary — Haskayne Legacy Park. Made possible through the donation of $5,000,000 of land plus an extra $2 million for construction by Dick and Lois Haskayne, this new park opened to the public for the first time on September 16, 2023.
Haskayne Legacy Park is 126 hectares (~311 acres) of space, containing 1.8km of paved pathway which connects to the neighboring Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park to the west. In addition, there is also 1.5km of nature trails providing a loop through the grassland portion north of the main pavilion. Speaking of the pavilion, it is 2400 sq. feet and powered by geo-thermal and 72 solar panels.
So, years after the land was donated the park is finally open to the public. What did I think of it? Watch and find out…
Access to Haskayne Legacy Park is obtained by following Highway 1A west from Calgary or east from Cochrane and turning south on Woodland Road. Follow the road towards the river and it will eventually turn left (east) towards the city. The road is gravel at this point. Alternatively, you can hike/bike to the park from Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. At this time there is no pedestrian access to the park’s eastern side from Calgary.
What was supposed to be a simple hike turned into something far more involved. By the time Mabel and I were done, I had been up a tree, standing atop a cliff, and scrambling through the rocks on Canyon Creek Hill. Who knew you could pack so much into a mere 3.5km hike?
Are you ready for another exciting camping adventure? We certainly are! Join us as we hit the road in Bella the Boler, our beloved 1978 vintage Boler 1700, for a delightful trip to Kananaskis country, Alberta. Our destination is the picturesque Little Elbow Campground, situated at the end of Alberta Highway 66.
As always, we’re thrilled to have you along for the ride! Your support means the world to us, and we appreciate every subscriber, like, comment, and share on our YouTube channel. It’s your engagement that keeps us going, so please stay interactive and let us know you’re out there enjoying the journey with us.
We love hearing your suggestions for new places to explore, so if you have any must-visit locations, feel free to share them with us! You can get in touch with us directly at dan@danocan.com.
For more exciting updates and to follow our camping escapades, you can find us on various platforms:
1. The Blog: For in-depth travel stories, travel tips, and more, check out our website at danocan.com. (Hey, you already did this!)
2. Facebook: Join our vibrant community on Facebook and be the first to know about our latest adventures. (Or maybe this is where you arer seeing this?)
3. Twitter: For real-time updates and quick snapshots of our journey, follow us on Twitter.
4. Instagram: Get ready to be amazed by the stunning visuals of our trips on Instagram.
To capture the breathtaking scenery and share it with you, we rely on DroneOCan, our trusty DJI Mavic Pro — which we didn’t use on this trip. Most of our video footage is shot using a DJI Pocket 2 gimbal, and we edit the clips with Wondershare Filmora on our trusty mid-2010 iMac. ‘Trusty” is code for “old and slow” in this context.
Our camping adventures are not just about us; they’re about building a community of like-minded explorers and travel enthusiasts. So, let’s come together and create a fantastic network of adventure seekers!
Watch our camping vlog from Little Elbow Campground. We promise to make it a journey you won’t forget!*
You know the routine by now — this post was composed by ChatGPT, albeit with a couple additions from me. Can you tell what they were?
*Disclaimer:
Whereas, the party of the first part, hereinafter referred to as the “Promiser,” doth heretofore declare its intent to proffer a solemn pledge, commonly known as the “Promise,” in a manner that, under the strictures of the law, could be rendered null and void in locations, districts, or jurisdictions where such pledge would be contravening established statutes and ordinances, henceforth termed “Prohibited Territories.”
Notwithstanding the gravity of the Promiser’s intentions, it is incumbent upon all parties concerned to recognize that the fulfillment of said Promise, if at all feasible, shall in no wise be guaranteed. No warranty, whether overt or covert, is tendered or hinted at concerning the outcome, performance, or reliability of this Promise.
Furthermore, any inference, insinuation, or conjecture of assurance, either express or implied, that this Promise shall be consummated, rendered successful, or executed with perfection is categorically repudiated.
In conclusion, let it be known to all concerned that this mirthful and peculiarly equivocal Promise is extended with levity and jest, and, inasmuch, may find itself bereft of all legal bearings and solemn implications where regulations and statutes converge upon the Prohibited Territories, hereby referred to as the “No-Fun Zones.”
Signed, sealed, and delivered with a wink and a nudge,
Yes, once again I asked ChatGPT to look at the description of our YouTuve video and convert it into a blog post. This was the result:
Introduction:
Join us on an exciting camping adventure as we venture into the picturesque Lower Lake Campground in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, nestled in the breathtaking Kananaskis region of Alberta. With Bella the Boler leading the way, get ready for a weekend filled with campfire cooking, stunning mountain vistas, and a few [mis]adventures while embarking on thrilling geocaching quests. We’re thrilled to have you accompany us on this memorable journey!
The Experience:
From the very beginning, our preparations for the trip were filled with anticipation and excitement. As we hit the road, the scenic drive unfolded before us, building up our anticipation for what awaited at our destination. Setting up camp was a breeze, and as the crackling campfire warmed our souls, we couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty that surrounded us.
Exploring the campground on foot was a delightful experience. Each step revealed a new surprise, from hidden trails to enchanting wildlife encounters. As the sun began to set, we gathered around the campfire for a delicious dinner, sharing stories and laughter under the starry night sky.
Waking up to a crisp Saturday morning, we indulged in a delightful breakfast, energizing ourselves for the day’s main adventure. Geocaching beckoned, and we eagerly ventured towards Lower Kananaskis Lake, an awe-inspiring destination waiting to be discovered. Along the way, we encountered hidden treasures and conquered thrilling challenges, making memories that would last a lifetime.
As the day came to a close, we relished a delightful Saturday night dinner, savoring the flavors of our campfire cooking. Taking a leisurely evening walk, we immersed ourselves in the tranquility of nature, cherishing the peaceful moments that surrounded us. Our adventure-filled weekend reached its conclusion, but the memories we made will forever be etched in our hearts.
Video Recorded June 16-17, 2023
Join Our Journey:
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support. Your subscriptions, shares, likes, and comments on our videos mean the world to us. We encourage you to be interactive, letting us know that you’re out there, accompanying us on these incredible expeditions. If you have any suggestions for future destinations we should explore, we eagerly await your recommendations.
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As we wrap up this unforgettable camping escapade, we want to extend our appreciation once again for being a part of our community. Your support fuels our passion for exploration, and we look forward to embarking on many more adventures together. Until next time, stay tuned for more thrilling tales from our travels, as we continue to uncover the hidden gems that lie within Alberta’s mesmerizing landscapes.
Note: The background music “Circus Tent – Netherworld Shanty” by Kevin MacLeod adds an enchanting atmosphere to our video. It is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. You can find the source and more of Kevin MacLeod’s work at http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100769.
