It's time for an adventure with James!
I went on a (sub)urban hike this past Saturday.
This post is a repeat of my MySpace blog, if you read it there...
So, this past weekend I decided to go on a bit of an urban adventure in Calgary. I decided to hike around Glenmore Reservoir. What's really convenient is that part of the reservoir is very close to where I live, so walking there could just be part of the whole experience. And according to this site, the trail is 15km long. So, I figure that would be about a total walk for 17km or so for me. Holy workout, Batman!
Departure time: 10:27am
I walk down to the reservoir, with a quick stop at a convenience store for some hydrating beverage. So, I take a picture once I arrive at the trail. Beware pedestrians, you driving folk!
I noticed some tennis courts. Anyone want to play?
Although, at first, I was a bit disappointed with the scenery... the edge of suburbia still visible and nothing really interesting to see.
But soon I was greeted by horseys! Yay!
And looking the other direction, I could see bits and pieces of downtown! (Yes, there are buildings that are taller than our not-so-magnificent tower.)
I also managed to see the old-timey steamboat that is one of the attractions at Heritage Park. We can hear the "TOOT! TOOT!" of it's windpipe from where we live.
Fortunately, after walking a bit further, I finally found some trees along the path (which also kindly provided some shade from the sun).
Along the way I also found this interesting path into a bit of a ravine. It looked like it could make for an intersting adventure, but I had to say focused on my planned hike.
There was also a bit of a neato lagoon on the way.
Part of the trail involves you crossing the Elbow River. There's a bridge, of course. And on one of the railings at the middle of the bridge, someone wrote my name all over it... it's just a shame they put the "M" upside down.
Here's a picture to show some of the vastness that is the reservoir.
And it seems that segregation is still legal in Alberta. I blame it on the Conservative government.
Again, more vastness.
So, part of the trail takes you over a major East-West road in Southern Calgary, called Glenmore Trail. It's usually pretty busy and the particular area which I had to cross is undergoing construction. This overpass is new... and well, it's got quite the long ramp.
From the overpass, looking at the Crowchild-Glenmore interchange. (Crowchild Trail is a fairly major North-South road in Western Calgary)
So, after a bit of walking through some neighbourhoods I've never been in, by a golf course, I made it to the dam that restricts the flow of water from the Elbow River and has subsequently made the reservoir what it is today. When I came to it, I thought it was witty and funny to say, "Oh damn, a dam!" I have since realized that it is neither.
The other side of the dam. In the lower left of this picture, you can see someone getting ready to go tubing down the river. Many people do this on nice, summer days in Calgary. I am not one of them. Yes, I'm borning.
From the dam, you can get another, more complete view of downtown Calgary. You'll notice that I'm now on the far side of the reservoir from where the first "downtown" picture was taken.
Again, more reservoir. That road you see is Glenmore Trail again.
This picture is just outside of Heritage Park. Again you see the steamboat and even a few private sailboats that people use there.
There wasn't much else of interest between Heritage Park and home. One thing I did notice about my trip is that most people were rather unfriendly and didn't bother saying hello to fellow walkers and they met up on the trail. Some wouldn't even respond if I initiated the greeting (some of course, did respond kindly). So, at first I just thought that most people are jerks in Calgary. Then I realized that most people probably wouldn't respond to a large guy wearing huge, goofy earphones and a Black Label Society t-shirt. And really... would you want to caught in the woods with this guy?
So, thus ends my Glenmore Reservoir adventures! A bit tired, sweaty, sunburnt and quite hungry, all in all, it turned into a great morning and early afternoon!
Arrival time back home: 2:07pm
This post is a repeat of my MySpace blog, if you read it there...
So, this past weekend I decided to go on a bit of an urban adventure in Calgary. I decided to hike around Glenmore Reservoir. What's really convenient is that part of the reservoir is very close to where I live, so walking there could just be part of the whole experience. And according to this site, the trail is 15km long. So, I figure that would be about a total walk for 17km or so for me. Holy workout, Batman!
Departure time: 10:27am
I walk down to the reservoir, with a quick stop at a convenience store for some hydrating beverage. So, I take a picture once I arrive at the trail. Beware pedestrians, you driving folk!
I noticed some tennis courts. Anyone want to play?
Although, at first, I was a bit disappointed with the scenery... the edge of suburbia still visible and nothing really interesting to see.
But soon I was greeted by horseys! Yay!
And looking the other direction, I could see bits and pieces of downtown! (Yes, there are buildings that are taller than our not-so-magnificent tower.)
I also managed to see the old-timey steamboat that is one of the attractions at Heritage Park. We can hear the "TOOT! TOOT!" of it's windpipe from where we live.
Fortunately, after walking a bit further, I finally found some trees along the path (which also kindly provided some shade from the sun).
Along the way I also found this interesting path into a bit of a ravine. It looked like it could make for an intersting adventure, but I had to say focused on my planned hike.
There was also a bit of a neato lagoon on the way.
Part of the trail involves you crossing the Elbow River. There's a bridge, of course. And on one of the railings at the middle of the bridge, someone wrote my name all over it... it's just a shame they put the "M" upside down.
Here's a picture to show some of the vastness that is the reservoir.
And it seems that segregation is still legal in Alberta. I blame it on the Conservative government.
Again, more vastness.
So, part of the trail takes you over a major East-West road in Southern Calgary, called Glenmore Trail. It's usually pretty busy and the particular area which I had to cross is undergoing construction. This overpass is new... and well, it's got quite the long ramp.
From the overpass, looking at the Crowchild-Glenmore interchange. (Crowchild Trail is a fairly major North-South road in Western Calgary)
So, after a bit of walking through some neighbourhoods I've never been in, by a golf course, I made it to the dam that restricts the flow of water from the Elbow River and has subsequently made the reservoir what it is today. When I came to it, I thought it was witty and funny to say, "Oh damn, a dam!" I have since realized that it is neither.
The other side of the dam. In the lower left of this picture, you can see someone getting ready to go tubing down the river. Many people do this on nice, summer days in Calgary. I am not one of them. Yes, I'm borning.
From the dam, you can get another, more complete view of downtown Calgary. You'll notice that I'm now on the far side of the reservoir from where the first "downtown" picture was taken.
Again, more reservoir. That road you see is Glenmore Trail again.
This picture is just outside of Heritage Park. Again you see the steamboat and even a few private sailboats that people use there.
There wasn't much else of interest between Heritage Park and home. One thing I did notice about my trip is that most people were rather unfriendly and didn't bother saying hello to fellow walkers and they met up on the trail. Some wouldn't even respond if I initiated the greeting (some of course, did respond kindly). So, at first I just thought that most people are jerks in Calgary. Then I realized that most people probably wouldn't respond to a large guy wearing huge, goofy earphones and a Black Label Society t-shirt. And really... would you want to caught in the woods with this guy?
So, thus ends my Glenmore Reservoir adventures! A bit tired, sweaty, sunburnt and quite hungry, all in all, it turned into a great morning and early afternoon!
Arrival time back home: 2:07pm