Calgary: Sun, Wind, and a Whole Lotta Prairie
okay, so calgary. i'm still processing it, honestly. just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. the weather here is a real personality. one minute it's surprisingly mild (3.54 celsius, feels like 1.6!), the next you're bracing for something else entirely. the forecast said highs of 5.59, which feels optimistic, considering i almost needed a scarf at lunchtime.
it's a really sprawling city, you know? it feels like it just keeps going. i was trying to figure out how far it is to banff national park, and someone told me it's a decent day trip, which is good because i'm already feeling the need for mountains.
apparently, this place grew like crazy after the oil and gas discoveries. it's hard to picture all these skyscrapers and then remember it started as a fort! fort calgary - seems a bit underwhelming compared to the current skyline, right? i went to the site, and it was…nice. a little dusty. but you can see where it all began. the historical background is actually pretty interesting, all about the indigenous peoples and the north-west mounted police. i’m trying to keep this conversational, but it’s all actually pretty fascinating.
calgary’s got this weird vibe. it feels very…canadian, but also a little bit like the american west, which i guess makes sense. they call it the "heart of the New West." there’s a lot of talk about cowboy culture, and the calgary stampede is apparently a huge deal. mini donuts? bison burgers? okay, i’m officially intrigued. someone told me that the stampede is worth braving the crowds for, even if you don't know anything about rodeos.
and the skyways! seriously, the world's largest skyway network. it’s like the whole downtown core is connected by walkways. which is probably genius considering the weather. apparently, winter is no joke here. they’ve got to think about pedestrian traffic even in sub-zero temperatures. water is also a big deal - it's a dry region, so conservation is key.
if you get bored, edmonton and medicine hat are just a short drive away. i'm seriously considering a road trip. the people i’ve talked to here are really friendly, and there seems to be a strong focus on outdoor recreation. lots of trails, mountains…it’s the kind of place where you feel like you should be hiking every weekend. honestly? the whole experience felt a little overwhelming, a little chaotic, but in a good way. it’s a city that’s constantly evolving, balancing its history with a modern, forward-looking attitude. it's a place with a lot to offer, even if the chinook winds can throw you for a loop.
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