Here’s a nice walk through the bedroom community of Chestermere Alberta using pathways and sidewalks. It takes in residential neighbourhoods, there’s a stretch down by the lake and it’s all quite pleasant. While a longer one, it’s flat and overall pretty easy going. This is the Chestermere Town Loop, an...
Welcome to Mother’s Day Hill in the East Kootenay region of BC and out near Cranbrook. It’s an easy trek up the top of this little hump and while the summit is treed, there’s a superb viewpoint later on. You can gaze down at the St Mary River below and...
The Rampart – Isadore Loop is a pleasant and easy going walk in the woods out near Cranbrook British Columbia. It’s part single track (Rampart Connector on each end), part rail-trail (Chief Isadore in the middle) through forest and open grassland. Relatively flat in nature, you’ll be in the shadow...
There’s a huge number of trails in the Kimberley BC area and for the outdoor adventurers it means unlimited possibilities. There’s big variety and the interconnected networks are curated by various clubs/organizations. If you’re a hiker, biker, XC skier or snowshoer (have we missed anyone?), or some combo therein, you’ll...
The hike to Devil’s Hole in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia is short, sweet and leads to a spectacular viewpoint overlooking a deep precipitous gorge. From this spot, look down to that little blue/green pond far below in a rocky trench or take in surrounding mountains. It’s a...
There’s some easy fun to be had in the rolling foothills southwest of Calgary and out in the Sandy McNabb trail network. Come take in the nice views from Long Prairie Ridge, a long low bump, running east-west and super easy to access via the route described here. Most of...
This hike visits popular Jumpingpound Mountain in Kananaskis, via the centre approach and extends the fun by taking in sections of the rolling east ridge. We went to the second bump, but you can go further, and even connect with Moose Mountain if you like. If you’re feeling ambitious that...
When you’re looking for a hike that’s quick and uncomplicated, the trail up Foran Grade Ridge is a fine option. Located in the Sheep River area west of Turner Valley, it’s not that far from Calgary, so convenient to us city dwellers. It’s an easy trek up to a to...
There’s always time for a little hiking and while on the road to adventure, where ever it takes us, we’ll search out local trails. One fine fall day finds us southeast of Edmonton and itching to put feet in motion. The prairies are hardly a hiking mecca, yet more often...
Here’s a most enjoyable loop hike in the extensive Bragg Creek Trails system. There’s a million and one options in their extensive network, out in the foothills west of Calgary, so there’s always something new to do. Here’s one new to us and the goal is Baruch’s Corner Viewpoint atop...
This hiking adventure happens in the extensive Bragg Creek Trail Network near Calgary. How convenient that it’s just a hop, skip and jump away from the big city! The route is comprised of a number of different trails pieced together to form a nice loop that goes up and over...
When we can’t hike in the woods, we walk in town – whatever town we’re in. One pleasant fall weekend found us in Claresholm Alberta, partaking of a little adventure that had us making a loop of the quaint prairie community. We’ll visit all four corners of town and there’s...
This is an in-town hike, but that the route mostly travels through parks and green spaces belies the fact. We’re in Camrose Alberta making use of the city’s extensive pathway system and linking together a couple loops into a nice little cohesive package. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and should you...
The location: Sundre Alberta. The mission: To hike! Today’s target: What we’ll call Sundre Loop, taking in a couple sections of town, the Snake Hill recreation area and with a final stretch paralleling the Red Deer River. It’s sounds about perfect for a lazy day, and in spite of where...
Step after step and much distance travelled only to end up back where you started? Yes and such is hiking. This walk in the woods plays out in West Bragg Creek and takes in several trails in that extensive network. They are: Snowy Owl, Old Shell Road, and Braggin’ Rights...
Mulled wine (most important): check. Spiky things for the shoes (not needed, as it turned out): check. Two shirts, a sweater and two jackets (layers are best): check. I guess we’re set! Today it’s an urban hike in an un-city like setting…oh, and the temperature outside is colder than your...
This urban walking adventure makes a tour of High River Alberta, a community that’s grown a lot over the last few years, but still displays much small town charm. The older neighbourhoods are home to many historic buildings – a plus for people into that kind of weird stuff –...
You can keep good and busy exploring the extensive Bragg Creek Trails network and even if visited often, there’s always new routes to discover. Well thought out and maintained by a dedicated group (bless their hearts), trails are generally multi-use, so open to some combination of hikers, cyclists, equestrian riders,...
Today it’s a visit to little Ben’s Hill, just east of Prairie Mountain. It’s a straightforward hike and the only complication is a minor cliff band two-thirds of the way up. Should the conditions be slippery as they were this day, there is a steep bypass route, but even it...
This easy jaunt in the woods takes place at little Brown-Lowery Provincial Park not far from Calgary and using a series of interconnecting trails makes a fun and pleasant loop. It pretty much covers all four corners of the park (it’s not a big piece of land). If you do...
Here’s an easy one for those days when aspirations are wanting. It’s a simple loop, mostly in the trees and takes in the west facing slope of Ole Buck Mountain. Well graded, the route is K-Country official, so marked and well maintained. Easy stuff! You’re talking Ole Buck Loop in...
The trail up Eagle Hill, in the foothills of Kananaskis, is a pleasant romp in the woods leading to a nice little viewpoint. From there take in surrounding ridges and mountains, the reward coming at a reasonable price. All it takes is some hiking boots, a little time, a little...
An easy forest hike leads to a picturesque lake and it’s all yours for the taking. While ten clicks long it’s no more than pleasant stroll-in-the-woods, easy as pie and with no hills to speak of. This meandering loop is a great a place to unwind and take in nature....
The trailhead to Saskatoon Mountain in the Crowsnest Pass (Alberta) starts right in the town of Coleman. If you’re staying locally there’s no worry of a late start and you can be on the trail in minutes. Heck, we got to sleep in! This lump of dirt and rock is...
Hiking up little Missinglink Mountain by the east (or direct) approach is about as easy as it gets. A little (mostly treed) bump in the Kananaskis Foothills it has a lot to offer for minimal effort and surprisingly broad reaching views given its less than lofty aspirations. On topping out...
Be it urban or rural, be it big city or small town, be it prairie or mountain, we get out and hike. No matter where, no matter the season or weather, each week or so we set aside a day to put feet in motion. In our crazy world, it’s...
It’s a hike short and sweet, taking in a little bump in the Kananaskis Foothills. While there’s roughly 80 stories of height gain, it’s really nothing more than a little stroll in the woods. Even the slowest hikers (so us) can be in and out in the blink of an...
A popular loop hike in the Elbow River area of Kananaskis, join up with us and take in the combined Sulphur Springs-Elbow Valley trails. Accessible any time of the year it’s a good choice come the off season when options can be limited. No matter when, prepare for a little...
The Prairie Creek – Powderface Creek Loop is a time-honoured hike in Kananaskis that can be done pretty much any time of the year. Taking in two roughly-parallel valleys, there’s a hop up and over a low wooded bump that separates the two (via Prairie Link) just beyond the half...
Making a broad loop around the little foothills community of Bragg Creek, this trail will have you pounding the pavement in town and at other times you’ll be deep in the woods. It’s a real nice mix and is super easy in terms of effort. It’s still a good number...
(2023) Beer Parlour Project Friday 🍺 Old Motels Edition: The Sunset in Fort Macleod Alberta...at sunset.
Fort Macleod is home to many old motor court style motels & we have a thing for them too. The Sunset first makes mention around 1960, as the Sunset Motel & Trailer Park on Macleod Trail (now Crowsnest Highway). There are still some occupied trailers behind the place, but we’re not sure if they still connected with the motel.
(2023) Beer Parlour Project Friday 🍺 Old Hotels Edition: The Queens in Fort Macleod Alberta. It dates to 1903 & is among a group of the oldest hotels still standing in the province. They had recently closed the year before this photo, but it's now getting fixed up by new owners. Last time we passed by, summer 2024, construction fences & dumpster bins surrounded the building.
We were in contact with the previous owners of the Queens regarding the Beer Parlour Project & they seemed open to the idea. But soon after they shut down. Historic Stevens Building in back.
(2023) Beer Parlour Project Friday 🍺 Old Hotels Edition: The American Hotel (built 1913) in Fort Macleod Alberta. It closed quite some time ago (mid-1990s) but someone has been working on it recently.
The sun star was just pure dumb luck. That it lined up with two windows is amazing & this only happened because the building was being gutted & was empty on that floor.
Wrentham Alberta & what a difference a short 25 years makes (1995 & 2020). Click see more👇
The silver elevator dates to 1925 (a century old this year!) & it's intact mechanically. It's the last wood Ogilvie Flour Mills elevator in the province & is owned by the Ogilvie Wooden Grain Elevator Society who saved it from being demolished. Check them out & donate if you can.
The structure was farmer owned before & used up until the early 2010s. It was also owned by the Alberta Wheat Pool at one time. Refer to a link below to learn more about this scene.
The elevator further back is fairly modern (1960s).
Roadside Attractions Andrew Alberta (2020) & a sign of the times. This is said to be the biggest mallard in the world & whoever added that mask maybe helped bring on a smile or two to people passing by. The photo was captured during the height of the pandemic.
This was captured during a roadtrip in support of the book Lost Alberta: Forgotten & Abandoned History. The manuscript was completed but sadly it never went to print (it still turns up in the publisher's book searches). No bother & we still had a grand time making it. Going on adventures together & making memories is what we love & everything else is not that important. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
You can still catch a movie at the 113 year old Empress Theatre Fort Macleod Alberta. Click see more👇
They've hosted film & live events here since 1912 & the building has been beautifully restored. It's run by the Empress Theatre Society & we should all give them a round of applause for their dedication. Bravo!
The Empress is one of the oldest continuously operating theatres in the province & a showpiece in historic downtown Fort Macleod. Even thought we visit the town often, we've never been inside & we think that needs to change.
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