alberta – Page 59

June 16, 2011June 16, 2011

Spruce Meadows National

This year, we were lucky enough to have gone to Spruce Meadows – National, 2011! It was a wonderful and beautiful experience, and we would definitely want to return to either another event, or the same one would be fun!

We saw 2 events while we were there, we watched Atco’s Double Slalom and Nexen’s Cup (Derby) – One Jump-Off, both were very entertaining. The International Ring was where these events were held, and it was a great place to be. Most of the sections were covered to prevent sunburns on the top of your head, and sudden down pours — which we were lucky enough to experience both!

On top of watching shows from the horses, there are also things to see like the Plaza & Marketplace. Also, there are a lot of food concessions available to satisfy any appetite, such as the Garden Court, SM Tulip Cafe, Sun Room, West/Upper Plaza, Kaffee Stube, Gasthaus zum Pferde, and Big Rock Garden Haus! We grabbed our lunch from the concessions in the middle, where we visited Germany for a delicious bratwurst with onions and a side of french fries, as well we experienced the Polish Perogy Hut with a taste of their 6 Cheddar perogies!

Spruce Meadows was such a great place for families, and tourists! I can’t wait to go back sometime soon!! Be sure to include Spruce Meadows!! Maybe for the North American!

June 7, 2011June 7, 2011

Bow Habitat Station – Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery

Bow Habitat Station is comprised of both Pearce Estate Park Interpretive Wetland and Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery located at 1440 17A St SE, Calgary, AB

The actual hatchery was really informative as you’re able to see the entire raising of the fish from egg to adulthood. In this particular hatchery, they raise 6 species which are:

Rainbow Trout

Brook Trout

Brown Trout

Cutthrat Trout

Bull Trout

Artic Grayling

At the time we went, they were raising mostly Rainbow trout, and here are the steps before they get pumped to lakes for civilians to fish in the summer.

The first step in this Hatchery is to collect the eggs, which are collected either in the wild while or from the Raven or Allison Creek brood trout rearing stations where the brood stations raise adult trout specifically to supply fertilized eggs to the hatcheries. They raise these eggs in the incubation tray.

Alevin to Fly – after the eggs hatch, they have a phase where they have a little yolk sac, at this stage, they are alevins. Once the yolk sac is gone, they become fingerlings. They will move these fingerlings into tanks where they become large enough to get transported to the Burrows pond. In the final burrows pond, the rainbow trouts are about 23cm long and about 14 months old.

June 7, 2011March 26, 2019

Rocky Mountain Bagel Company

We started the day dropping by the Rocky Mountain Bagel Company before our day hike as we were looking for something fast, filling, and delicious! We found ourselves stopping at the Rocky Mountain Bagel Co on Bow Valley Trail, and it was opened early enough to accommodate us!

I had that BCLT Bagel on Jalapeno Cheese Bagel and the filling inside the bagel was quite typical, as BCLT stands for bacon, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. The ingredients used were really fresh so it was really good. I must say, I really enjoyed the jalapeno cheese bagel, as it looks like your typical cheese bagel with a nice kick once in awhile! The bagel was not only very flavourful, but it had a nice consistency, denseness and texture! Just the way I like my bagels!!

We also had the Amigo Bagel on Jalapeno Cheese Bagel and this bagel seemed to be an omelet with green peppers, and onions on the bagel with plain cream cheese, and topped with slices of tomato, salsa & cheddar.

The environment was small and intimate, yet very comfortable! Lots of room for a lazy morning, and since this locations isn’t in downtown Canmore, it’s not as busy either! In fact, it seemed like their customers were mostly taking their meals to go!

Rocky Mountain Bagel Company

6A-1306 Bow Valley Trail
Canmore, AB
(403) 678-9968

June 6, 2011March 17, 2019

Sage Bistro and Wine Lounge – Canmore, Alberta

Sage Bistro and Wine Lounge is a great place to go — whether you’re looking for a quiet place for dinner, and a nice place to gather and celebrate! It seems to have the ambiance to cover it all!!

We were lucky to be able to make reservations the same day, even though we had to compromise the time a little. I’m sure glad we did though! Our dinner here was really good, it’s always nice to have a great meal from start to finish.

I didn’t want an alcoholic drink, so I opted for Homemade Honey Thyme Lemonade which was really refreshing lemonade with a hint of honey and thyme. It was a perfect drink for the day as we spent the entire afternoon outdoors!

We started this great meal with duck rillettes, which was riesling braised duck confit, a small amount of lingonberry compote, topped with petite cornchon on grilled baguette. It was just amazing!! We piled a huge spoonful of duck confit on the tiny grilled baguette, then topped it off with the lingonberry compote (jam like) — and like a cherry on top, the little pickle! It was quite a memorable appetizer and one I’m still drooling over while thinking about it!

For the main, I had the special, which was a Maple Sockeye Salmon and that was excellent. The Salmon sat on top of a great chilled noodle salad filled with julienne vegetables. It was quite refreshing of a meal, and it tasted light! It’s something I wish I knew how to make!

The other dish we enjoyed thoroughly would be the Lamb Shank, where the lamb is braised in port & rosemary topped with gremolata with saffron risotto on the side.

Since everything has been so wonderful, we ordered a dessert to share as we were stuffed. We ordered the Neapolitan Tower which had layers of cinnamon phyllo squares, mixed berry compote and lemon custard cream. You really taste the great crisp texture of the phyllo squares which contracts really nicely with the lemon custard cream, which is probably mixed with the mixed berries as it tasted a lot like a raspberry mousse. Regardless, it was a wonderful dessert, and I wouldn’t mind to enjoy this meal again.

Sage Bistro

1712 Bow Valley Trail
Canmore, AB
(403) 678-4878

June 6, 2011June 2, 2019

Mystic Springs Chalets & Hot Pools – Canmore, Alberta

Who doesn’t like to travel well?? Traveling from your own house to another house is what Mystic Springs really feels like! These chalets are complete 2-story town homes with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms!

This luxurious style of living is wonderful for families as it offers 2 double beds in the second bedroom — so kids don’t need to sleep on the same bed! On top of that, there is a pull out sofabed downstairs in the main living area. The master bedroom has an uber comfy king bed.

I found the space to be very comfortable, and with TV’s in each of the room, you’re always able to go find your own space if you need to step away for a bit inside the condo.

The bathrooms are full and complete with AVEDA bath amenities and quite satisfying for both guests who like soaking in a tub, or getting a quick shower. The master bathroom however is a walk in shower only.

The dining space as you enter the condo is a large comfortable table that looks into the kitchen. It is a very convenient set up for any meal if you were going to stay back and prepare your own meals! The kitchen comes completely stocked with all the cooking and eating utensils you would need to prepare, cook and eat your meals! On top of that, there is a dishwasher for you to clean up after yourself — as required!!

The living area is one of the highlights of the chalet for me. There is a door that opens straight back towards the pools, and it just looks great! The fireplace quickly fills the room with warmth, which is fantastic for those cold winter days when you come back from your cold adventures outdoors.

The outdoor heated pools are opened year round and even though I didn’t go out to enjoy either the pool or hot tub, lots of other guest were outside having a blast over the weekend! I was happy to hear them enjoy themselves! Outside in the courtyard where the pools are is a lot of common area amenities such as the barbeque area, the fitness machines, and even coin laundry! Other amenities the resort has to offer is a spa treatment room right behind the front desk agent, and there is also the Riverstone Hall, which is like a beautiful space you can rent with large windows and with a kitchenette and fireplace! Mystic Springs is truly a nice place to stay, and is pet friendly in most of their suites!

Mystic Springs Chalets & Hot Pools

140 Kananaskis Way
Canmore, AB