Calgary at Dusk1

In Canada, the big cities are few and far between. In Alberta, the regional megalopolis and the “heart of the new west” is Calgary. With over one million citizens, it's the largest city east of the Rockies and west of Ontario. But with so many Calgarians taking to the streets, it can get pretty hectic. For travellers and city-folk who are tired of the hustle and bustle of cowtown and want to take a short break, Calgary is in a perfect spot for day trip adventures out of town.

Ranches Dot the Landscape2

GO NORTH

Heading north on Highway 2 takes travellers through some of the most interesting and historic towns in Alberta.

Carstairs has a population of about 2,500 people and is home to the proud Roulsten Museum, which displays artifacts from small town life in Alberta during the early 1900s. Once a Presbyterian Church, it preserves such items as antique telephones, wood working tools and irons. Connected to the museum is a turn of the century historic home, built in 1901 and fully restored and decorated with period furniture from the time. Experience the wilderness outside the town by going on a guided ATV tour of the area.

Farther up the highway is Didsbury. In the 1890s this town of almost 4,000 was founded by Dutch Mennonite settlers at the request of the Prime Minister, and the main street is lined with boomtown architecture from that period. After a devastating fire that burned quickly because of wooden construction, buildings were built with “cast stone” blocks — concrete blocks made to look like sandstone. Guided tours of the historic buildings are available.

A unique stop is definitely a visit with some gophers. About halfway to Edmonton and a little to the east on Highway 27 is the town of Torrington and its Gopher Hole Museum. People with a phobia towards taxidermy should probably stay clear of this attraction. A trip to the museum only cost two dollars and it involves some 54 stuffed gophers captured forever on display in different tableaus. Some of the scenes depict the gophers as townsfolk attending church, casting their lines at the fishing hole and checking into a hotel. Be sure to visit Clem T. Gofur, the mascot of the town of 192.

HEAD EAST

Some people think that the only thing east of Calgary are plains, prairies and Toronto, but should a traveller turn their back on the mountains, they will find a dynamic landscape full of rivers, valleys and some intriguing destinations to visit. Named after the first child born in the town, Dorothy is now a virtual ghost town with a population of about 10. While there are still some people who call this hamlet home, the majority of the building here have long been abandoned, giving it a dramatic, if not spooky atmosphere. Aspiring photographers looking for some interesting subjects to add to their portfolio must stop by this town and take advantage of the scenery. By heading east on Highway 1, turning left on Highway 561, left on Highway 840, right on Highway 564, right on Highway 848 and then right again on Highway 570 will take travellers to Dorothy.

Hanna has a population of 3,000 and boasts a historic village with 15 buildings maintained in their original state showing what life was like for the first people to call Alberta home. A hospital, church and school are among the displays. Hanna is famous for its excellent bird hunting locales, and boasts the title of Canada Goose Country. To get to Hanna, travellers simply have to drive North on Highway 2, turn right on Highway 72, left on Highway 21, right on Highway 27, left at Range Raod 144 and turn right after 1 km (2 mi).

Situated about two hours east of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway is the Town of Brooks with a population of 12,500. Founded in 1911, Brooks' economy has always been based around agriculture because of the influence of irrigation in the area. Before the construction of the famed Brooks Aqueduct, the landscape was a dry and barren plain. Now because of the man-made slews and marshes, the wetlands around Brooks are perfect for people interested in doing some bird watching. While visiting the area, people should try to make a stop by the Brooks aqueducts. When it first opened in 1915, it was the largest aqueduct in the world, and still draws tourist who appreciate the amazing structure.

During the summer months, from May to September, visitors can visit the local berry farms and see how the sweet treat gets from the orchard to the table. Tours of the farms are available. To get to Brooks drive east on Highway 1 for about two hours.

DUE SOUTH

Okotoks

Just south of Calgary is the town of Okotoks, a quiet community with a population of about 12,000 and a short commute out of the city. One of the most interesting natural rock formations can be found just west of town. A glacial erratic, the Big Rock of Okotoks is the largest of its kind in Canada. Over 500 million years in the making, glacial erratics are large boulders transported hundreds of thousands of miles from their original locations by melting glaciers from the ice age. The Okotoks Erratic, as it's usually called, was formed in the Rocky Mountains west of town. About 10,000 years ago, moving waters carved out this chunk of rock from the mountains and dropped it off at this town. The city of Okotoks even derives its name from the okatok, the Blackfoot word for rock. One of Alberta's biggest local breweries, Big Rock, takes their name from the monumental boulder. The Okotoks Erratic is located off Highway 7, 10 km (3 mi) southwest of town. People in town can take guided tours highlighting the historic buildings in Okotoks.

Vulcan

Once a hub for the grain industry in southern Alberta and home to Allied Air-Force training grounds during the Second World War, Vulcan has now become a mecca for for Star Trek aficionados the world over. This town has a population of around 6,500. Having the same name as the home planet of Star Trek's Mr. Spock, the town has come to epitomize everything to do with Star Fleet and the works of the late Gene Roddenbury. A homage to the star spanning science fiction series, the citizens of Vulcan have contructed a replica of Captain Kirk's ship, the Starship Enterprise. Travellers in town should beam down to the tourism office to meet costumed trekkies and learn about the town.

	Buffalo Graze in the Grass3

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.

Long before European settlers came to colonize the land, Alberta's First Nations people of the area hunted buffalo that roamed the land but instead of using conventional weapons, they would scare the buffalo into a stampede and chase them off a cliff at the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump. About 2500 years ago, before the advent of the bow and arrow, hunters would herd buffalo into drive lanes for miles, until they met their end at the bottom of a cliff. The jump take is name from a native story telling of a curious boy wanting to see the buffalo as they fell only to meet his untimely doom. Travellers looking to take in the anthropological history of the the area can stop here to learn about ancient ways of life at the Interperative Centre. There are full sized stuffed buffalo on site, so it might not be the best choice for families with younger children who might get scared of the huge bison. From Calgary, just drive south on Hwy 2 for about 160 km (100 mi) and then turn west at Highway 785.

A Roaring Waterfall on the Elbow River4

TREK WEST

In the 1890s the area around what is now Bragg Creek saw a boom in the coal mining industry. This brought a lot of people to the region, including one Albert Bragg and his brother. Together, they started a ranch that eventually grew into Bragg Creek, a town of over 6,000 people. This area is steeped with Albertan history. One of Alberta's first European settlers, Sam Livingston, built his first cabin 12 km (5 mi) north of town, and the location is now a Provincial Heritage Site. Known for its beautiful natural wonders and nestled right in the forest, wildlife abounds around Bragg Creek, with provincial parks and coniferous pines surrounding the landscape as far as the eye can see and deer, coyotes and sometimes bears can be seen. If the trip to town has left the traveller hungry, the Boardwalk Cafe, the Bragg Creek Steak Pit and Madrina's Ristorante are popular restaurants. During the summer months, Bragg Creek is a hub for motorcycle enthusiasts who often stop in town for lunch during their sunny day bike excursions. But casual visitors shouldn't fret, most of these bikers are business-types who are just out to enjoy the ride.

From here, day-trippers can explore the Elbow valley and seek majestic beauty at the Elbow falls. The Elbow River is glacier-fed and runs from the mountains all the way to Calgary, where it feeds the Glenmore Reservoir. The river gets its name because of a sharp turn it makes near Bragg Creek that resembles an elbow. For the adventurous lot, groups operating in the area offer guided hunting expeditions where travellers can track the big game of the Elbow. If that's a little too exciting, Moose Mountain adventures offers guided tours of the Elbow Valley, where people can see the area on horseback, by wagon or by horse-drawn sleigh in the winter.

	The Rocky Mountains in KananaskisCountry 5

Kananaskis

Farther west and deeper into the mountains is Kananaskis. About an hour west of Calgary by car, this area, known as K-Country, is rich with scenery and trails to explore. A veritable hiker's paradise, K-Country is about as different from the big city as possible, what with the lack of traffic, buildings and pollution. Home to the Barrier Dam, kayakers and canoers can take advantage of the whitewaters of the Kananaskis River.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Dressing appropriately for the conditions is very important. As an old Albertan saying goes, “if you don't like the weather, wait ten minutes”. The climate and temperature can change drastically depending on the destination. It can get pretty chilly in the mountains and, conversely, it can get fairly hot in the Badlands and south of Calgary. Bringing an umbrella and packing a warm coat is always a good idea. Because of versatility, wearing layers is a smart choice. If travelling by car in the winter, it's a good idea to keep a warm blanket, candles and sand or gravel in the trunk is case of a snowstorm or accident that could leave drivers stranded.

With many different sights and attraction in the communities surrounding Calgary, there is no end to the exciting adventures waiting to be had just outside of the city limits. Who says all the fun happens downtown? Alberta is here to explore.