Calgary Flames | Mary M. Forbes

There are some interesting statistics about the people of Calgary. This applies especially to the airplane pilots. A few years ago a USA scientist in the Antarctic got sick and needed to be air-lifted out in the winter. It was a nearly impossible feat and even the USA army failed in the mission. But two pilots from Calgary managed to get him out. This is definitely a story I have been tossing around that needs to be told.

When I was getting my weather observing certificate I found that a Calgary pilot has been the only survivor when flying through a CB cloud (Nimbus Cumulus). The wind power in these clouds is unbearable. His plane was trashed, but he survived. The statistics make it very important for weather observers to locate and identify these dangerous clouds.

Sports: For sports lovers Calgary offers many professional teams including the Calgary Stampeders football team and the very much loved Calgary Flames hockey team. Calgary’s people offer friendly rivalry but never hostility. The people are gracious without violence. They worship their teams and join in street festivities whether the team wins or loses.

Calgary’s Saddledome – the hockey arena.

Nightclubs: – A horseshoe bar, a dance hall and a restaurant with excellent food and live famous country singer dinner shows, Ranchman’s country bar is a place to meet real cowboys as well as enjoy time with friends.. Although there are a variety of clubs with various types of entertainment, Ranchman’s is an authentic taste of Calgary’s culture and the roots of – ‘Cow town”. In my book One Dance with A Stranger, my hero – a country music star – sings at Ranchman’s.

There have been many movies done in and around Calgary. It is not odd to see famous people on the streets. Clint Eastwood, (Unforgiven); Charles Bronson and Donald Sutherland (The Mad Trapper), Christopher Reeves (Superman) and even Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt (Legends of the Fall). As is their way, most Calgarians leave them in peace to enjoy Calgary.

Theaters: – There are many theaters in Calgary including Live Theatre. I watched Phantom of the Opera in the Jubilee Auditorium and had to see it twice. Stage West – has a dinner/live play show. Again in One Dance with a Stranger, my couple goes to Stage West. In the downtown Theater Live, you can go to many popular shows of the time.

Dining: – Dining in Calgary is an experience as well. Although there is an immense variety of international and national cuisines I would recommend Smugglers – and have an authentic Alberta Grade A steak. There is nothing like it. Visit China Town and try Dim Sum for authentic Chinese delight. It was an enjoyable experience also.

And on every street corner try my favorite: – First thing in the morning, a refreshing break any time and a must after nightclubbing. Try Tim Horton’s coffee.

When we got to North Carolina, it was dark and late. We stopped in a rest-area to sleep for a few hours. When I woke, the most beautiful sites greeted me. There were fruit trees blooming, perfuming the air. It was quiet and peaceful. Then we went on through to Georgia where George had to unload. The country-side was beautiful and sparsely populated. After reading and watching North and South I kept looking for those huge plantation houses, but didn’t see them. I couldn’t see the ocean either. As we were riding in a semi we couldn’t travel on the roads beside the Atlantic. There were sites that made my two boys laugh. First we crossed the Chattahoochee River. Both boys loved listening to Alan Jackson’s ‘Way down on the Chattahoochee’ and finally they saw what he was talking about. We went to Savannah, which is a beautiful little city with lots of old, beautiful houses and mansions. After spending two days in Georgia I only have one thing to say – Georgia should teach courses on service. I can honestly say I never received such absolutely great, friendly and helpful service anywhere else. The service in Georgia guaranteed I was in a good mood. The odd thing I found is most people knew where Calgary was in Canada and knew many things about Canada. There were two explanations. The Calgary Flames hockey team used to be the Atlanta Flames and there is a huge migration of ‘snowbirds’ in eastern Canada who go to Florida for the winter.

Then we moved on to Florida. Daytona Beach was having their famous Daytona Races, but we couldn’t go – George had to work. However we had a few pleasant surprises in store. First my brother met us for dinner. He had a house in Florida and was actually there. Second – the hotels/motels were filled. Finally we got the help of an individual who found two rooms still available. Both were charging astronomical prices – that was until George mentioned to a Best Western on the interstate that he was a truck-driver. Their rates dropped to an amazingly low price. To this day I search for a Best Western when traveling.

We then went to Miami. We watched a couple – dancing while we had dinner. It was very pleasant. Miami was very clean and open, not crowded. I again saw my little gecko’s running around and tried to catch them to no avail. The weather was balmy and warm – but too humid for my western tastes. We crossed Alligator Alley and saw those unique sites, never seen in Canada. It was a wonderful, informative trip. I often took my boys out of school for these adventures and I don’t regret that even slightly. They learned more than most do in school and they never fell behind.