Not a birthday trip part four - 20 year long wait

When Calgary celebrated its 100th anniversary of incorporation of a city in 1996, I bought a book about the people behind the place names of the city (Col. McLeod, Bob Edwards, Deerfoot, and so on), and some of the more unique features of the city (the bones from Chicken on the Way that help fortify the Calgary Tower, the cryogenic frozen bull semen encased in a statue on Stampede grounds). The name of the book escapes me now but I loved it. It was really helpful in my early history geek ways. If I wanted to know more about the Edworthy or Riley families or who Princess Oblensky was, I would turn to this book. The book wasn't limited to Calgary either; it had a lot of information on the surrounding area, including the Torrington Gopher Hole Museum in Torrington, Alberta. I hounded Mom forever to visit because come on, what could be better? But she never bit. I was always so sad and disappointed.

Some time in June, Mom finally went to the World Famous Torrington Gopher Hole Museum and fell as in love with it as I am. There would be nothing stopping me now from fulfilling this 20 year long dream.

Clem T. Gopher greets you.

 Admission to the museum is $2.00 and it is worth every single penny. The premise is simple - taxidermy gophers in everyday scenes of a small town. Each scene is in an approximately two foot square box and each gopher has its own personality. Some have talk bubbles, some don't.

A few of the scenes have advertisements for local businesses. A lot of care and attention have obviously gone into them and a sense of humour is maintained throughout.

If you've got 14 minutes (and I know you do), I strongly recommend watching CBC's Short Doc on the museum and it's unbelievable curator Dianne Kurta here. You'll tear up.

We carried on through the middle of Alberta and the vast expanses of canola. Lots of canola. It was actually hard on the eyes.

We went to Dry Island Provincial Park, were Mom frightened a young lady. The young lady was there with her 8 month old baby and Mom asked, "is this Chloe?" and the girl (rightfully) freaked out a bit. Mom pointed out the baby's name was on the keychain in the young lady's other hand. Creepy, Mom.

Drumheller is on one of my coworker's bucket lists. It's strange to me because this has always been part of my back yard and doesn't strike me as a "bucket list" kind of place. But I guess a museum full of stuffed gophers isn't on everyone's list either.

World's Largest Dinosaur

In order to get to Drumheller and surrounding areas, you have to take the Bleriot Ferry over the Red Deer River.

We went for a hike in Horseshoe Canyon. This was not an easy hike for me - I was huffing and puffing the whole time because a) it was hot as and b) the altitude is a killer. When you've spent six years doing most of your hiking at sea level, your body gets used to an oxygen rich environment. Once it is used to that, climbing anywhere else becomes a chore. Worth it, however.

While digging for geodes for my coworker, I managed to cut the heel of my hand. I did not notice this until Mom pointed it out while we were climbing up the canyon. 

Mom: You're bleeding.
Me: *looks* Oh. So I am.
I wash it off as best I can. It's not a big cut, there's some coal dust in it but no big deal.
Mom: So am I! *shows me her pinky finger with a small scratch*
Me: Aww. Would you like a bandaid? I've got one in the car.
Mom: My cut is worse.
Me: ....what? Why?
Mom: Because I have cancer.
Me: ...of the cut finger?
Mom: Cancer makes everything worse.

Next: Banff!!