Lay Your Head Down

If you've heard the term boutique hotel but don't know what that means, check it out. This was an old Holiday Inn that's been transformed. Across from this giant bed is a sitting room with a 42 inch plasma.

At The Zoo

It was a gorgeous day today and it seemed everyone in Calgary was at the zoo. Here are a couple of the cool critters.

Little Drummer Boys and Girls

Today we took part in a drumming circle inside an old Anglican church in Calgary. It's great for blowing off some steam and finding your groove. We felt like the Khartum Temple Shriners in the parade.

Show Me Your Mussels

This was the first course of our cooking class at Fuze Finer Dining in Canmore. It was followed by tomato tarts, beef curry and pinapples in butter rum sauce.

Where The Elk Play

So I says to the cabbie, "Let's go find some elk." I had noticed a herd of about 50 in a meadow a few miles out of town on Monday. When the driver called dispatch to let them know what we were up to, the nice gentlemen on the other end informed us that the elk were in 'the compound'. So the driver wheeled around and pulled up to an spot beside the highway, just a stone's throw from the townsite. Sure enough there were dozens of cows and young bulls lounging around. They were okay with me taking pictures. Soon after, a man and his wife pulled up, got out of their car and were obvisouly talking too loudly. The elk started to scatter but not before I snapped a few shots.

Standing On The Divide

If I fell to the east, I would end up in Hudson's Bay. If I fell to the west, I would be in the Pacific. Here I am standing on the continental divide in the Canadian Rockies. The snow was fresh and deep. Good thing I was wearing snowshoes (apparantly the Japanese photographer who took the shot didn't understand that I would have like the shoes in the shot). That's Mount Whimper in the background.

Am I In A Budweiser Commercial?

About 30 minutes before spring officially arrived in the Canadian Rockies tonight, this is what it looked like. These sleighs took us on a short ride around the grounds of the historic Chateau Lake Louise.

Banff Upper Hot Spring

Oh so this is what the rich people do on vacation! It's hovering around zero outside but here in the pool, it's a beautiful 39C. I'm convinced that 'taking the waters', as they used to say back in the day, really does have health benefits. Even if it doesn't, what a great way to spend a Monday afternoon.

It's All Greek (and delicious) To Me

I visited Greek Market, 1440 Corydon this week. What an easy way to get supper on the table! Check out the roasted vegetables in fillo pastry.

Eat, Eat, Eat

Monday I leave for a press trip in Western Canada. The first couple of days are in Banff. On Thursday, a small group embarks on a culinary tour of Banff, Canmore and Calgary. Here's a list of the restaurants we will dine at over the course of three days. Perhaps I should weigh myself before and after. Perhaps not.
Fuze Finer Dining
Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company
Le Chocolatier
Chez Francois Fine Cuisine
Spolumbo's Fine Food & Deli
Bistro Twenty Two Ten
Raw Bar at Hotel Arts
Urban Safari Resturant Tours
Vintage Chophouse

My New Mocs

During my recent trip to the Trappers' Festival in The Pas, I bought at least $50 in raffle tickets. I came home empty handed. This week, my luck changed. I got a called from a lovely gal named Jaimie at the Arts and Cultural Industries Association of Manitoba. I had won the door prize at the Wildcrafters Show! Check out my handmade and oh-so-beautiful mocs.