David had read about the Calgary Stampede, in some ways akin to the Stockyards Rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas, and although we wouldn’t be in Canada for the July event, he knew they were setting up for the show and he wanted to check it out. So we drove to Stampede Park in Calgary. The city is the center for Canada’s oil industry and is nicknamed “Cowtown.” Rodeos, cattle, oil, and cowboys . . . the two cities—Fort Worth and Calgary—have a lot in common.

Rain pelted us as we climbed into our rental car for the return trip to Banff, and it rained harder as we neared our hotel, the Fairmont Banff Springs. Since it looked like we would be cabin bound for the afternoon, we read and caught up on news from the home front while we enjoyed the magnificent view from our room, and watched the workers doing repairs and remodeling the 1888 castle-like building.

June 7, 2018—Canada 2015: Banff.