Calgary Stampede 2

This is the first time I have seen the Calgary Stampede Parade in person for many many years so I wasn't sure what to expect.  I certainly was not disappointed.  From the large Draft Horses to the bands from around the world there was a constant sense of amazement at the diversity in participants.  There are always favorites though!  Let me share mine with you ...

Budweiser Draft Horses

City of Lacombe

Draft Horse Town & Fort Steele

Canadian Forces

Mini Chucks

Mini-er Stage Coach (Western Financial)

Canadian Pacific

 

I missed getting pictures of some others.  Probably because I was so busy watching I lost track of getting a photo shot!  The Wild Women of the West was a wonderful collection of ladies on horseback or wagon acting the parts of women whose lives contributed to western folklore.  Women like Annie Oakley, Kissin Kate, etc.  The Helsingor Pipegarde from Denmark were a sharp looking group of young ladies focused on their music and precision.  Very Impressive.  The Calgary 'Stampede Queen's' Alumni were women of all ages and time periods who each at one time or another served as a Stampede Queen.  One elderly lady couldn't ride a hose anymore - but she shared with pride her past involvement with the 100 years of Calgary Stampede.  There was also a collection of Pioneer Descendants with names that rang with the history of the Calgary and surrounding area. 

It was a parade that reflected one hundred years of stampeding very well.  I was impressed.

Calgary Stampede Parade

Waiting to get going

Waiting for them to come

Still waiting

...  Waiting ...

And they're off!

Crowds from their perspective

 

Here they come!

There he is!

Beat the Heat!

Pour Water in a Pail

Pour Water on Grandpa

Make Waves with Grandma

Have a cool drink (with cookie of course!)

Arizona Sun

Abundant Saguaro Blooms

Careful Photography

Must have a hat

Looking for Gold

Stories in the Desert

Harris Hawk Sighting

The only way to travel out West

Saguaro Forest

Secrets of a Stealth

Decomissioned Mig 28

No - It is not a whale

A10 in Action

Could there possibly be any more adventures to check out?  There is a aircraft bone yard to explore in Tucson.  Also a early sunrise hot air balloon ride followed by a breakfast in the desert to experience.  To say nothing of more pool time and sunshine!  Probably should just leave the Quiddler and Rummikub  at home!

Before Coming Home

Before we came home yesterday we had lunch/supper at a place recommended to us called "Il Terrazzo".  It is a very unique but fascinating out of the way eatery on Johnson Street in Old Town Victoria.  It's not far from the waterfront and unless you knew where to find it, you would miss it.  The building originally was a warehouse.  Most of the buildings along the waterfront had that purpose when first constructed.  The courtyard has been enclosed and weatherproofed.  Apparently behind this former warehouse was numerous small buildings, each of which was a home/place of business for the local prostitutes.  Every seaport seemed to have warehouses and whorehouses.

Il Terrazzo serves incredibly taste-y Italian food.  I would recommend this place to anyone asking for a unique dining experience with no regrets!

February 14

My Sweetheart on Valentine's Day

More Before and After

FROM THIS .....

TO THIS .....

TO THIS!

 

 

Out with the old and in with the new

THE OLD

THE NEW

Now we are waiting for the plumber to come and hook up the sink that went in this morning.  Peter took time to silicone the tile/counter BEFORE he had to work around taps.  Smart thinking.  If you have to do a messy job, what can be done to make it easier?  Now you can also see room for an eating bar at the counter.  And look at all that space to make cookies with the "grands"!  And look at all that "buffet" room now!  Oh the benefits are well worth the work!  This renovation we can do - we've watched a young family do much more than this and come out at the other end happy with their renovation labor of love!  They are my inspiration to make it work!

Kitchen Renos Started!!

 After what seemed like only a few days of discussions about the potential renovations to our house, we decided to start the kitchen renovation right away.  So after doing some planning from Dec 30 - Jan 1, we went ahead and started with the first day of our renovations.  We have lots in mind as time goes on, but this one makes a lot of sense to start with since it is not that difficult.  Here are the before the renovations started photo from this morning and the next photo shows the selective demolition completed.  It took more time to empty and glean the cupboards than it did to remove them!

BEFORE RENOVATIONS STARTED

AFTER DEMOLITION DONE AND MESS CLEANED UP

I think it will be a few months before we finish off since we now have to order a new set of cabinets for beside the fridge.  New appliances will be in order as well as new light fixtures.  Can I say the first day was fun? ! ! !