A Lovely Canadian Morning
We got a new hotel for our longer overnights in Calgary-woohoo! This means that when we're here for more than 12 hours or so, we stay right downtown, which is awesome.
I wandered out and stopped by Tim Hortons for a cup of coffee and a couple of tim-bits. (doughnut holes) There was a minor moment of "oh, crap" when I found out they didn't take VISA (It's everywhere you want to be, my ass!) but luckily they took US currency, because the exchange rate is pretty much even steven right now.
Then I walked down to the Bow River Pathway, which is, just like it sounds, a lovely set of paths along the river. I was very impressed with it-the walkways were very well maintained and everything was clean and the scenery was lovely. Very much enjoyed my long ramble along there. With the first day of September came some lovely autumnal weather! I was excited, because I'm getting majorly sick of the heat. I had on a sweater and a scarf and that was just right. It was surprisingly busy too! There were loads of bikers and runners and power-walkers out and about, which I found a little strange at 10-11:00 on a Wednesday morning. Aren't most people at work at that hour? But I suppose I'm not, so I shouldn't talk!
I like how there are so many paths and little parks right in downtown. It's beautiful, and I love the dichotomy of the bustling city with its skyscrapers and coffee shops, and gorgeous nature with its trees and rocks and rivers. It's like the best of both worlds.
Another thing I find cool about this city is how so many of the downtown buildings are connected. There are all these second story bridges that go over the streets and connect the buildings so that during the winter when it's frigid and nasty out people needn't go outside. A lot of more northern big cities have those inter-connecting walkways, either above the streets or below ground, and I think it's brilliant. Anyone who has to weigh the pros and cons of stepping outside into -35 degree weather just to get a cup of coffee or some lunch definitely knows what I'm talking about!
I wandered out and stopped by Tim Hortons for a cup of coffee and a couple of tim-bits. (doughnut holes) There was a minor moment of "oh, crap" when I found out they didn't take VISA (It's everywhere you want to be, my ass!) but luckily they took US currency, because the exchange rate is pretty much even steven right now.
Then I walked down to the Bow River Pathway, which is, just like it sounds, a lovely set of paths along the river. I was very impressed with it-the walkways were very well maintained and everything was clean and the scenery was lovely. Very much enjoyed my long ramble along there. With the first day of September came some lovely autumnal weather! I was excited, because I'm getting majorly sick of the heat. I had on a sweater and a scarf and that was just right. It was surprisingly busy too! There were loads of bikers and runners and power-walkers out and about, which I found a little strange at 10-11:00 on a Wednesday morning. Aren't most people at work at that hour? But I suppose I'm not, so I shouldn't talk!
I like how there are so many paths and little parks right in downtown. It's beautiful, and I love the dichotomy of the bustling city with its skyscrapers and coffee shops, and gorgeous nature with its trees and rocks and rivers. It's like the best of both worlds.
Another thing I find cool about this city is how so many of the downtown buildings are connected. There are all these second story bridges that go over the streets and connect the buildings so that during the winter when it's frigid and nasty out people needn't go outside. A lot of more northern big cities have those inter-connecting walkways, either above the streets or below ground, and I think it's brilliant. Anyone who has to weigh the pros and cons of stepping outside into -35 degree weather just to get a cup of coffee or some lunch definitely knows what I'm talking about!