Today we leave Calgary, heading west toward the
Canadian Rockies; then, south on the "Cowboy Trail".
This is a very scenic road passing through ranchlands,
oil fields and quaint towns, with the Rockies
on the right and beautiful rolling prairies to the left.
Oil was discovered here in the early 1900's and supplied
Alberta and Canada with 90% of its oil until the 1930's.
Now, they are drilling again for oil and gas with
new technology-new wells dot the landscape.
Pastures and the Mountains showing faintly in the background
Suburban Calgary
Nice Ranches
Heading South on the "CowBoy Trail"
What Scenery!!
There's OIL in "them there hills".
Old Hotel 1923
Oil wells practically on every farm
Bar U Ranch
The Bar U Ranch is the only National Historic Site to commemorate
the history and importance of ranching in Canada.
It is still an operating ranch today.
At one time they had 30,000 head of Shorthorn cattle; however,
The Bar U is best known for their Percheron Horses.
The Bar U Ranch was one of a small group of large corporate
ranches in western Canada. Established in 1882, it was one
of the foremost ranching operations in Canada.
George Lane owned and operated this ranch, establishing
the Bar U as the number one Percheron horse breeding ranch.
At one time they had over 1000 horses on the ranch,
now only 8. They also raised Shorthorn Cattle.
George Lane was also one of the four that started
the Calgary Stampede.
View of the ranch, with the Rockies in the background.
Kitchen Wagon
Chuck Wagon
During the roundup, the cook and the night
range rider would race to to the next camping spot;
usually by a stream, with pasture for the horses,
set up camp and prepare the food. It took 45 minutes
to set up the camp. The first chuck wagon to get
to the spot had the best location--thus the start of the
popular chuck wagon races.
They served cowboy coffee--very good.
Buzz and friend
This was a very interesting and historic stop.
Bug Shot
Windmill turbines line the open hillsides
clean and quiet
Canola
Another wooden train tressel
Inspirational
More wildflowers lavish the hillsides
Waterton Lakes
Prince of Wales Hotel and Waterton Lakes
National Park
Tomorrow we tour the park
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