Day 11 July 10, 2014

Day 11  July 10, 2014

Yet another perfect weather day dawned, and I was determined to make today better than yesterday’s sour affair.

I conducted an interesting video interview with three of the girls at the far end of our Room #7.  They all grew up in rural Saskatchewan and had eye opening stories for me to absorb about farm life.  Nicole lovingly described her town’s annual “Red Neck Days" fun and funky competitions, including toilet seat horseshoes. 

After my required relocation to Room #9 for my last night’s stay at the Wicked Hostel, I decided to spend the full day off of the motorcycle, and yet again set out to explore more of downtown Calgary.  Enjoying the sunshine, I encountered the River Walk bicycle/pedestrian walkway at the edge of the Elbow River and followed it for about two miles towards Fort Calgary, near the Calgary Stampede Fairgrounds.  I ended up getting somewhat lost and walking completely around the outside perimeter of the expansive Fairgrounds to get back to the Wicked Hostel.  Exhausted from my 5-mile+ walk, I thought that a cold beer sounded good, so stopped into the local Casino one block from the hostel for a Budweiser- big mistake.  I could hardly stand up after one stinkin’ beer!  What a sissy drinker…….

The long-anticipated, sold-out Shania Twain concert in the Saddledome Arena was a truly wonderful experience for me.  Most memorable moments included her arrival on stage via horseback and fully dressed up as a Royal Canadian Mounty, how warm and loving she was throughout the night to her adorning fans (walking the entire inside perimeter of the ice hockey rink to great fanfare), and her strong and flawless voice after being away from performing for the past ten years.  The high point was my favorite song of hers, “Still the One” which left me in sobbing tears.  This song is the one that I hope to dance to with my sweetheart daughter, Amy at her upcoming wedding and encompasses my deep and loving feelings for her- it always makes me think of my special relationship with my darling daughter and hits all of my buttons, big time.  Thanks for a great and memorable evening, Shania.

A super-healthy corn dog with mustard on the walk back to the Wicked Hostel and a final look around and a fond farewell to the fun and energy of Calgary and its signature Calgary Stampede.