by Alberta Trip Day 2
Leaving Christina Lake, our journey continued eastward through the beautiful Rocky mountains straddling both BC and Alberta. Once over the other side, the first thing we noticed was the wideness of the rolling almost treeless hills and the wideness of the huge sky above. The expression “big sky country” came to mind, and memories of growing up on the prairies rushed in.
When we first saw a windmill, we were struck by its beauty, and again memories arose, this time of the windmills we saw in Denmark some years ago. When we came upon some gentle hills that had a row of dozens of these tall graceful modernist looking structures, we could not help but stop and drive along the gravel road to get closer to this “farm” – yes, they are called windmill farms!
Alberta, an oil rich but hydroelectric-poor province has led Canada in increasingly investing in this clean and efficient renewable resource. At home we learned that this “farm”, which had a sign “Cowley North” is part of the Cowley Ridge Windplant, the first commercial windplant in Canada. It was completed in two phases in 1993 and 1994. Fascinating! Why isn’t BC investing in these on our windy westcoast? So much better than nuclear energy anywhere!
Our destination, Lethbridge sits on the edge of a coulee overlooking the Oldman River. Our hotel was next to this, so we enjoyed an evening walk along the lovely nature trail here as we watched the sun lowering in the sky behind the High Level Bridge. Across on the other side, straddling the slopes of the coulee, is the unique University of Lethbridge building designed by Arthur Erickson.
The next day would be the highlight of the whole trip….
UPDATE June 15th: Don’t miss Roger’s comments on a historical site in Lethbridge (which we visited long ago) – Fort Whoop-up.
UPDATE 2, June 15th: Exciting news – BC is developing a windfarm! My husband has been doing a lot of research on wind energy for personal interest as well as a potential project at work, all inspired by this trip. Tonight he came across the Nai Kun Project. The proposed Nai Kun wind farm is to be situated in Hecate Strait between Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) and Prince Rupert off the coast of BC. The wind farm will be built during the calm periods of the year, over a three or four-year period. Construction is expected to be complete by 2010. It’s a very interesting and informative website with some videos to view, including this project.
(Read more at Alberta Trip Day 1, Day 3, Day 4 and Days 5 & 6)
June 14, 2006 in Being an Artist, History by Marja-Leena
Kiitos hienosta kirjoituksesta. Mieleen tulivat monet automatkamme Pohjois-Amerikassa ja vaihto-oppilasvuosi Montanassa, joka on myös big sky countrya.
Vielä nykyäänkin minulta kysytään, onko minulla ikävä Amerikkaa. Voin vilpittömästi sanoa, että minulla on usein ikävä Pohjois-Amerikan luontoa.
My old stomping grounds! While living year-round in northern Montana, I spent more than a few nights in Lethbridge, Canmore, Banff and certainly the beautiful Calgary. My home in Montana is only 90 minutes from Lethbridge, so I miss it as well as greater Alberta. I haven’t had much luck finding a Tim Horton’s in New Mexico! Ha!
Hei Anna – Mukava että tämä herätti kauniita muistoja! Rocky Mountainit ja sen itäpuolen preeria kulkeekin suurta osaa pohjois Ameriikka.
Hi Daniel, I didn’t realize before how close you were to Canada. Wow, you spent time in Lethbridge! I’ve only been there once before, about 20 years ago, but my husband is frequently there on business. It’s a nice city. The rockies are super, Banff is lovely but too busy now. Sadly our Canadian icon Tim Horton’s is now American owned (though I’ve never been a great fan myself), so I’m sure it’ll appear near to you soon.
Yo Marja-Leena.. You are in a time-warp and it’s hard to keep up with you! ‘Wind Farms’along the Cooley Ridge supply 25% of the electricity that operates the C-Train in Calgary. The train tressle bridge in Lethbridge once held the honour of being the longest tressle bridge in the world. I think it may still hold that record? There’s a lot of history around Lethbridge too. Where Fort Standoff was located, the tracks of wagon wheels are still visible from the viewpoint. The controversial Treaty Seven is an ongoing thorn in the side of the Government. I know your time was limited but you’ve given us another ‘wink in time.’ Try getting to see the ‘Frank Slide’ on your next jaunt. Another disaster that nature left its mark on for us to think about.
Your self-portrait is marvelous, but it doesn’t do you justice – you’re much prettier in real life. Nice to see your daughter’s work as well. They have a fantastic teacher – right Mom!
Roger, thanks for all the info that as an Albertan you would know. We were reading about the history of Lethbridge along the nature walk next to the Galt Museum, and at the museum too which I visited a couple days later (and am going to write about yet). Just too much to write about! Have you been to Fort Whoop-up? We went there many years ago with our daughters. Watch for the later installments which will include the Frank Slide! And thanks again for the compliments!
Had to comment on your question. Yes! Fort Whoop-Up has a great history and has been written about by several Authors. I’ve a complete record of that area that was included in 75 poems written by: ‘Slim Davis.’ Slim never bothered to copyright his work but left this behind for all to read. This is his closing poem. “When evening draws the curtain, and pins it with a star,This book will let you think of me, though we may dwell afar. This book will tell of many things, of Mountains, big and high, I hope it will bring you pleasure, as the days go by.” He autographed this for me before he passed away. More Memories!!