Calgary Stampede

Yahoo!  We had a grand time at the Calgary Stampede today!  We're on vacation and just happen to be here when "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" is taking place.  Calgary prides itself on its cowboy culture and the Stampede is by far the biggest event the city is known for.  Even before we left the airport we were surrounded by people wearing cowboy hats and we were "branded" by a cowboy who stamped our hands with the Stampede logo as he welcomed us to town.  Everywhere we turn are people dressed in the traditional cowboy getup.  Eli was sad he forgot to bring his giant belt buckle :)

First Family Vacation!

(My parents are here too and it's great to have this time with them!)

Caleb liked to wear his hat like a prospector :)

It rained most of the morning, but we were dry and happy inside the agricultural barns.  Caleb loved the horses.  This particular horse was a Clydesdale named Big Jack.  He is one of the biggest horses we've ever seen.  To understand how tall he is, note that Eli is 6'5"!

Caleb pet a few horses and kept saying, "oooh" as we walked around the stalls.  They're such beautiful animals.  I think there are few creatures so majestic and awe-inspiring as horses.

We also stopped for a photo op with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a must while in Canada!  (While I thought they were rather fetching in their uniforms, Caleb was apparently unimpressed).

Next was the Rodeo!  It's the highlight of the Stampede, to be sure.  We had great seats up high, in the front row of our section and under the awning (which was great since it was still raining when sat down).  The arena was incredibly muddy, which made for interesting roping and riding conditions that added extra flavor to the entire event.  It was great fun!  We saw bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, tie down roping, bullriding, and wild pony racing (which was hilarious and a new favorite of ours!).  Several of the competing cowboys were world champions in their events, so it was a great show.  It was a fabulous way to spend an afternoon!

the muddy Grandstand

steer wrestling



bullriding

Our own little cowboy fell asleep during the first half of the rodeo but woke up to find himself still at the Stampede and was super excited.  He was snuggled with my dad while sleeping but just wanted his Mama when he woke up :)  He is such a Mama's boy and I love it!

So Yahoo!  We're having a great time already and it's only Monday.  Eli and I have always loved to travel and this is our first real vacation since he started residency two years ago.  And it's great to be in Canada.  Such a fabulous country so close to home!  Caleb officially has a stamp in his passport too, which will be the first of many, no doubt.  We're excited to share our love of traveling with him!

Oh, and just so you know: