We bought the book “Calgary’s Best Walks” by Lori Beattie. Love it. If you’re into urban trekking, it’s a recommended addition to your library too. It’s BIGDoer approved! Like that means something. Chuckle…so, inside the covers are a multitude of possible routes covering all quadrants of the city. For one who views the pathways as only routes to hoof it about town (so me), these well thought out forays out into the street are something new and fresh.
This adventure today has us following Route #20 in the book, not to the letter however, but pretty close. I’m sure the author won’t mind that we mixed it up. We’ll take in some older neighbourhoods – Ramsay, Mission, Roxboro and others, and spend time hanging with dead and gone in historic Union Cemetery.
Calgary’s Best Walks #20 (sorta): another from Lori Beattie’s Book. A Chris & Connie Adventure!
This route makes a nice loop so where you begin matters little. We started in Ramsay, so we’d hit a restaurant district further on about lunch time. There’s non-permit parking not far from Ramsay School. This stately building is one of a good number in Calgary made of sandstone and built to a similar design. Your author attended one like it in the 1970s, Sunalta, west of downtown.
Scroll down for photos and to comment
Head north on Spiller Road, in years past, the original MacLeod Trail (since moved west). Almost immediately, turn right on 23rd Avenue SE. Frozen bike! Frozen us – it was cold. Pass many old homes. This section of town was once rough and tumble, but it went through a renaissance of sorts, the old homes being fixed up and loved instead of neglected. Left on 8th Street, right on 21st Avenue, passing St Anne’s Parish, a fine old building (doh, no picture), then left on 9th Street.
Soon on come to the Alberta Corner Store, an old school grocery. Be sure and buy something. Doh, our scratchy tickets didn’t win! Kitty-corner is the historic “Beers House”. We knocked – they had none. Across in the alley, the “Love Ramsay” Garage. Post something profound on the chalkboard or just say “Hi!” to everyone. Continue (north) along 9th Street. Lots more vintage houses, most from the 1910s-1920s era. That’s old for here.
Left on 17th Avenue. Pass the closed Black & White Grocery – this one didn’t make it. Head up on concrete stairs. This has to be one of the steeper roads in Calgary. Top out on “Scotchman’s Hill”. The escarpment overlooks Stampede Park and is so named as here one can take in the chuckwagon races or fireworks displays come Stampede Week for free. Suggesting Scots are cheap-ass bastards – hmmm. A tad derogatory, no?
There’s also a good view of downtown from here too. In fact we’ll be able to see the core most of this day. And the Saddledome too.
That “hawg” ain’t going anywhere soon. Now I can’t get that Dumb and Dumber scene out of my head.
Drop down to river level on wood stairs. Say high to the Elbow, all frozen on our visit. We’ll see it many times as we travel about. Turn left on the paved pathway. You’re surrounded by Stampede Park here.
Meet up with 25th Avenue, cross the LRT tracks then busy MacLeod Trail. We caught a train coming out of the tunnel under Union Cemetery – which we’ll visit on the return leg. The cemetery that is not the tunnel. We’re in Erlton now, formerly rail yards mostly, but now residential.
Cross the Elbow – downtown skyline to the right – and enter Mission. Lots more old houses and a B&B still celebrating Canada’s 150th. Westways – back when we ran our clothing firm we used to do photo shoots here, the historic building acting as a backdrop. Had one of the best dinners of my life here too.
Hit 4th Street – lots of places to chow down along this stretch. We typically bring picnic lunches, but once in while, especially of there’s lots of snow about (and there was), we eat out. Pub lunch!
The Yorkshires and Guinness done, the world’s a better place with a buzz. Head south on 4th Street and cross the Elbow again. In Roxboro now, the most well-to-do neighbourhood seen this day, left on Roxboro Drive. Lots of fine old mansions here…and one made from shipping containers. It looks that way you know! Sorry, but even tolerant of everything/live and let live me, threw up in my mouth on seeing it. Even our early 1960s era (not a high-point in home architecture BTW) totally imaginative shoe-box abomination of a home, in comparison, looks inspired in design.
Come to Roxboro Park and take the marked path heading up through the trees. Stairs help when it gets too steep. Top out and look around. There’s downtown again. Continue south in behind a cemetery – lots of cemeteries this day.
Drop down to Mission Road and take a soft left at Erlton Terrace/34th Street. Lot of tiny houses here – got a thing for them now. At MacLeod Trail take the short path connecting to an access road which runs between St Mary’s and the Chinese Cemeteries. On coming to 31st Avenue, take the foot bridge crossing over busy MacLeod Trail. There’s downtown. Again.
Welcome to Union Cemetery. Head left passing row after row of graves. Some of these date back a century or more. Old headstones can be elaborate and even show-off-ish. Lots of bunnies here! Union is surely Calgary’s most historic and scenic cemetery. Many “big wheels” from the city’s past are buried here.
Take in the old Chapel. In days past, those that perished in the winter were kept in cold storage here until the ground thawed enough that a grave could be dug. Now it’s empty I understand. In behind is the Reader House, well a replica of the Reader House, built on the same plot and to the same design as the original which was demolished in the 1940s. Both of these buildings deserve a revisit once the snow’s gone. Nice views out over, your guessed it, downtown. And there’s the Saddledome again.
Drop down to street level, leaving the deceased behind, and follow Spiller Road (it jogs) back to your ride. To the left…yup, downtown and the Saddledome. At and end, it hits you, this was one fine walk. Thanks Lori! Stay tuned for more from the book.
If you wish more information about this trail, by all means contact us!
Date of adventure: January, 2018. Location: Calgary, AB. Distance: 9km loop. Height gain maximum: 100m-ish. Height gain cumulative: 180m-ish. NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate. Technical bits: Attack Bunnies!
This walk was just amazingly fun and beautiful. We saw an astonishing number, many dozens at least, of bunnies beginning at the Chinese cemetery. Some of them were curious, and I touched a few soft rabbit ears. The view of the Fall colors from the rough park overlooking downtown was breathtaking, and the city was sparkling in the background. We saw dinosaur animatronics in the park near the climb up into Ramsey, and they bellowed and groaned. Exhausted, we sat on a bench and took in the dramatic sky, the amazing view, and watched a happy dog get his zoomies out. Caught the 17 bus a few blocks away in front of someone’s house. We are from California, and this walk was an unforgettable jewel of our vacation. Thanks!
HI Chris and Connie! Interesting route you chose for this walk. It kind of ran through a few places that brought me back to a time before we had kids and living over in the 4th street area was the best place to be. I used to stop off on the way home from work in the summer to swim in the Elbow on the very hot days by parking south of 26th in Erlton and accessing the river through a pocket park. One time, i was joined by a beaver not 10 feet away! Scared the heck out of me when it surfaced and slapped its tail! When i met my wife, she lived in an old house either right next door or maybe 2 doors down from the B and B. The houses are long gone in lieu of the monstrosity of a condo building. I used to go up on the ridge of Roxboro park to walk our dog and enjoy the views from there. More recently, i had the opportunity to go inside the old chapel at the cemetary for work reasons. It had suffered a break in and some vandalism which included a fire. Somewhere, i have photos of the interior which was somewhat spooky given the location and the use of the building. I saw the upper floor as well as the basement. Apparently, they used to have the chapel ceremony on the main floor and then ceremoniously lower the deceased through the floor into the basement for the next phase of their journey. Anyway, apologies for rambling, but i thought i would share. Keep up the great work!
These are such amazing memories! Glad we could help stir them up. I recall swimming in the Elbow, at the rope-swing tree not too far away. The chapel is an interesting building for sure…and spooky. Thanks, and do drop by again and comment when it hits you.
We’re open minded…but damn that one takes the prize. I get that architecture is subjective. This home is sure to polarize – no middle ground here – love it or hate it. I hate.
I went here last year to find my Great Great grandparents and my husband’s grandparents. Imagine my surprise to find them about 20 feet from one another in that HUUUUUUUGE cemetery! The whole place left me in awe. Quite the hike up those hills though!
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
This walk was just amazingly fun and beautiful. We saw an astonishing number, many dozens at least, of bunnies beginning at the Chinese cemetery. Some of them were curious, and I touched a few soft rabbit ears. The view of the Fall colors from the rough park overlooking downtown was breathtaking, and the city was sparkling in the background. We saw dinosaur animatronics in the park near the climb up into Ramsey, and they bellowed and groaned. Exhausted, we sat on a bench and took in the dramatic sky, the amazing view, and watched a happy dog get his zoomies out. Caught the 17 bus a few blocks away in front of someone’s house. We are from California, and this walk was an unforgettable jewel of our vacation. Thanks!
This is awesome and what a gorgeous photo. Glad we could inspire something enjoyable.
HI Chris and Connie! Interesting route you chose for this walk. It kind of ran through a few places that brought me back to a time before we had kids and living over in the 4th street area was the best place to be. I used to stop off on the way home from work in the summer to swim in the Elbow on the very hot days by parking south of 26th in Erlton and accessing the river through a pocket park. One time, i was joined by a beaver not 10 feet away! Scared the heck out of me when it surfaced and slapped its tail! When i met my wife, she lived in an old house either right next door or maybe 2 doors down from the B and B. The houses are long gone in lieu of the monstrosity of a condo building. I used to go up on the ridge of Roxboro park to walk our dog and enjoy the views from there. More recently, i had the opportunity to go inside the old chapel at the cemetary for work reasons. It had suffered a break in and some vandalism which included a fire. Somewhere, i have photos of the interior which was somewhat spooky given the location and the use of the building. I saw the upper floor as well as the basement. Apparently, they used to have the chapel ceremony on the main floor and then ceremoniously lower the deceased through the floor into the basement for the next phase of their journey.
Anyway, apologies for rambling, but i thought i would share. Keep up the great work!
These are such amazing memories! Glad we could help stir them up. I recall swimming in the Elbow, at the rope-swing tree not too far away. The chapel is an interesting building for sure…and spooky. Thanks, and do drop by again and comment when it hits you.
I wanna join you sometime again.
When you get back from that trip – love those street shots I’ve been seeing in my feed, by the way – we’ll get together. Promise.
Shipping containers? Priceless! That is one ugly home.
We’re open minded…but damn that one takes the prize. I get that architecture is subjective. This home is sure to polarize – no middle ground here – love it or hate it. I hate.
Some great pictures along the walk.
That day was made for photography. It worked. Well.
I went here last year to find my Great Great grandparents and my husband’s grandparents. Imagine my surprise to find them about 20 feet from one another in that HUUUUUUUGE cemetery! The whole place left me in awe. Quite the hike up those hills though!
It sure is huge. And hilly. What an amazing coincidence!
Beautiful !!
The while day had this magical vibe. Can’t fully explain it, but it was cool.
Peaceful place ….
The cemetery was quiet as can be. Eerie in a way, but as you say peaceful.
May have some ghosts inside.
If you mean the Chapel, oh yeah! Tons of them.
You always have the best articles. Thanks Chris & Connie!
A big thanks and know it’s you we do it for!