Departing Fernie, we backtracked east through the Crowsnest Pass and back into Alberta. The original plan for the day had been to head south and visit Waterton Lakes National Park.....which was now under evacuation orders due to encroaching wildfires.
Suddenly with some time on our hands, we stopped at the Frank Slide, site of Canada's deadliest rockslide which buried a mining town in 1903. The interpretive centre was very well done, and did a great job of telling the story.....as did the rock pile that remains and the side of the cliff visibly missing from overhead Turtle Mountain.
We carried on towards Calgary, our eventual stopping point for the night, where we had dinner plans with a large group of friends. To kill some time, we returned to the killing grounds at Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, just outside Fort McLeod. We had been there in 2003 but wanted to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site and museum again. Just as in 2003, the air was thick with smoke as we peered off the cliff to the plains below.
From the top of the cliff and the actual "jump" site, where bison were herded off the cliff, the museum takes you from the top down through both elevation and time, detailing not only the bison hunt but the local native culture and nomadic way of life. Cleverly built into the side of the cliff itself, the museum is simply an excellent place to spend some time.
We reached our hotel in Calgary and freshened up, before meeting a large group of friends for dinner, including Kay and Joanne. Following dinner, we were led through Calgary on remaining gas fumes to the Blackfoot Diner, to round out a fun evening with some fine local pie.
Crowsnest Lake
Juke in perspective
The landslide reached across the valley and up the other side
Turtle Mountain
The Buffalo Jump
Inside the museum
Cliff from below
Onwards to Calgary!
Nanton Elevators
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