It’s past midnight but the airport still has people milling around. Doors painted like saloon entrances, posters of rodeos, a woman picks up her bag and pushes back her banner — she is Miss Rodeo Kansas.
A bus takes us to the hotel. The driver has a sheriff’s badge and a cowboy hat.
So you’re busy now with the stampede?
We’re busy all the time. We’re a boom town! You wouldn’t recognize Calgary from year to year!
It’s the oil thing, isn’t it?
Yes, we’re doing well. We have no provincial taxes and we still have a budget surplus!
So what’s there to see with the Stampede?
People really like the chuck wagon races. There’s a lot going on.
At the hotel we get a room that reeks of cigarettes. Ed asks for another. None to be had. A woman comes up out of nowhere. Blood is oozing from her cheek.
You can have my room. It’s a nonsmoking room but I don’t care. We want to be nice to Americans.
How does she know we’re Americans?
This morning I repack everything. Ed watches with amusement. I suppose my small baggie with shampoo, cream and gel looks ridiculous next to his one sliver of all purpose soap. And still I forgot things. A towel for instance.
You don’t need a towel. Use your t-shirt.
My Calgarian reader writes me: you’re lucky you’re here during the Stampede. Everyone is in Calgary for it. You’ll have the mountains to yourselves.
Mmmm… just us and the bears and charging elk.
7 hours ago
At this conference I'm at in Baltimore, I went to lunch today with a group of people -- including two Canadians. One of the women was from Calgary. Of course, I mentioned your camping trip. Of course, I asked about the bear situation. She didn't dismiss my concerns (as I hoped she would). She said that you are right to worry about bears. She's run across bears a few times while hiking in the Rockies. She said you'd be fine if you hiked in large groups because then the group would make a lot of noise and alert the bears that you were coming. I said that you were just hiking with one other person. The other Canadian said that whenever she hikes there she sings out loud the entire time. Also, they confirmed that it is a good idea to carry mace and to use that ringing bell thingy. Sorry if I sound alarmist. Just wanted to let you know that your concerns are valid.
ReplyDeleteListening to NPR's Praire Home Companion today (something I've rarely ever done, but I was in the car), I heard a skit about bears. The narrator shared your concerns. Besides the bell, constant SINGING is supposed to be a useful deterrent.
ReplyDeleteNow charging elk too? Hell! Where did they come from?
ReplyDeleteIs this you on your hike? Heh.
ReplyDeleteconfirmation word: qpqphkpe fast, quippy repartee leading to hiccups.
Chuck, that photo you linked to is priceless!
ReplyDeleteShe has to post tomororw, right?
ReplyDelete