Leg 13—Edmonton to Calgary: May 12, 2006

I was previously instructed by a Greyhound agent to purchase a ticket from Edmonton to Banff with a stopover in Calgary. The ticket is less than purchasing two tickets: one from Edmonton to Calgary and one from Calgary to Banff. Greyhound Canada does not take reservations so I need to be in the station 40 minutes prior to the bus departure. I get to the bus station in time to catch Bus 1189 at 8:30 a.m. The bus travels in and through the following cities: in Alberta, Edmonton, Edmonton South, Leduc, Red Deer and Calgary.

When I arrive in Calgary and enter the Greyhound station shortly after noon, I look for an ATM. The station ATM will not accept my card. Only Bank ATMs seem to accept the debit cards. I use my last four dollars to store my luggage in the lockers and search for a Bank. After asking several people for directions to a Bank, I finally locate one about ¾ mile from the Greyhound station in downtown Calgary.

It’s a nice day for a walk. I take several pictures of the distinctive Calgary skyline. The skyline glitters with skyscrapers, which suddenly arose as the result of an oil boom in the 1970s. The city is located in the foothills of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains at the junction of two rivers, the Bow and the Elbow. Calgary, the largest city in Alberta and second largest municipality in Canada, is famous for its annual Calgary Stampede.

I walk past Shaw Millennium Park, which is situated immediately west of the Mewata Armory and the Calgary Science Centre. The park provides an environment for the skateboard subculture to demonstrate techniques and share experiences in a public space.

On the way to downtown, I stop at an office supply store and ask several clerks where I can find a bank. One clerk directs me to a bank a few blocks away. I spot a pub on the way, but decide to get cash first. I try to maintain $100 in cash to cover any surprises.

After getting my money at the TD Canada Trust Bank, I walk back to Dickens Pub, which is the one I passed on the way to the bank, for chicken wings and refreshments. I need a break from this long walk.

On the return trip, I pass the Mewata Armory, which houses a reserve military unit and the meeting place for the Regimental Pipes and Drums of the Calgary highlanders. The band is comprised of pipers, drummers, and dancers who perform in a number of venues.

Upon returning to the Greyhound station, a cab is waiting in front. The cabbie takes me to City Centre Riverpath Bed and Breakfast, owned by Paul and Arlene Roberge. The B&B is my lodging for the night.

The B&B is located in Downtown Calgary on the Elbow River. The dining room picture window frames the skyline of beautiful downtown Calgary. The patio deck, which has a spa, overlooks the Elbow River that has a pathway connecting to over 500 kilometers of pathways throughout the city. Since I am traveling alone, I reserved a bedroom in the loft with a shared bathroom and cable TV.

Arlene shows me my room, the bathroom with a whirlpool tub. The room is comfortable and just the right size for me. We sit in the kitchen and dining room area talking about how she likes owning a B&B. She thinks that I and a professor who comes to the B&B on occasion would get along famously. She is very much into Astrology and guessed that I was a Gemini. She says that I would probably like to have dinner at the Hose & Hound and gives me directions on how to get there.

Paul arrives, shows me the computer to check my email, and helps me with my luggage up several flights of stairs. I have become accustomed to climbing stairs. I rest awhile, take pictures from the patio area and walk to the Hose and Hound for dinner.

The Hose and Hound, one of Calgary’s top ten pubs was one of the town's fire houses. The pub is crowded when I arrive with customers watching the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks in the Stanley Cup playoffs. There is plenty to do: there's pool to play, darts to throw, and beer to drink. For dinner, I eat soup and salad. I enjoy the Hose and Hound--great ambience and a lot of fun.

Walking back to the B&B, the clouds are spitting drips. I throw the hood of my jacket over my head and reach the B&B before the rain descends heavily.

I go to the computer, check my email and head for a good night’s sleep.

The City Centre Riverpath Bed and Breakfast serves a continental breakfast. There are plenty of hot and cold cereals, breads, fruit juice, toast, peanut butter and jelly, and coffee. I recommend this Bed and Breakfast. It is one of the best B&Bs I stay at on my trip.

I will use the second half of my ticket to go to Banff.