Helen's Home World: Dinosaur and a Visit with family and friends

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Dinosaur and a Visit with family and friends

On 25 Jun, we headed to Dinosaur Provincial Park, it's only about 50 km from Brooks, Alberta so we only had a short drive that day. It's wise to bring all that you need with you when going to Dinosaur as there isn't much close by; the camp store does have the basics though. Dinosaur Prov Park is in what they call the Badlands and has more fossils than are to be found in the badlands up near Drumheller where the Royal Tyrell Museum is found. The nice thing about Dinosaur is that it is a small park so if you don't have a lot of time you won't feel like you've missed out. You have to go on guided tours to see where the fossil beds are but there is quite a bit of the park that is open to hikers and, who knows, you might just find some dinosaur bones.

We left Tillebrook before lunch so still arrived at Dinosaur before well before check in. There were no signs that you had to wait in the parking lot so after pulling up and going in to check in, where they told us to turn around and wait in the parking lot, we just drove to our sites as we knew our sister was already on her site had printed out our reservations.

Dinosaur Provincial Park

Great nephews and great neice

Sharing campsites

We had three campsites all adjacent to one another and the night after we arrived a friend and her husband would join us. They were lucky enough to get a site right behind us for three nights.

There is a three kilometer road that you can drive around in the park; there are trails off it to view some dinosaur fossils. We drove that route one day, as well as hiked one of the trails and also went to the small museum at the visitors center.

We left Dinosaur on 29 Jun to head to Airdrie where my sister lives. My youngest sister and her husband went to stay at her daughter's place in Airdrie and I followed my sister and her brother in law back to Airdrie to her place. We would stay in Airdrie for just over three weeks. During this time we would meet with family and friends. We would meet my newest great neice who was born on my mother's birthday. A friend of mine from Victoria, BC would also come for a short visit.

While in Airdrie, we visited a little local museum and the Military Museums. We also went to a horse show at Spruce Meadows and went to walk around the Calgary Stampede. My friend and I also drove out to Banff and to Johnston's Canyon.

Newest great neice

Another great nephew

Spruce Meadows

Show Jumping

The Military Museums

Front Entrance to the Military Museums

The drive out to Banff was really nice. I got the idea of going to Johnston Canyon from a Facebook post by someone in the Girl Camper group. Glad that she posted or I never would have known to go there. Johnston Canyon is quite a popular hike so it is rather crowded; it's two waterfalls but we only hiked to the first fall. That's only about a one kilometer hike on a paved pathway. The trail is dog friendly but since the trail is narrow if your dog isn't good with other dogs I wouldn't recommend taking them. We had nice hike up the first waterfall and then drove back into Banff to walk around and have lunch.

It was a nice break to spend time with family. We had BBQ's, celebrated birthdays, went shopping, to the zoo and the dogs got lots of walk on the neighbourhood walkways.

Third Birthday Cupcakes

Birthday Dinner

At the Calgary Zoo

Neighbourhood lake

But good times come to an end and all too soon it was time to start our journey back east. The journey back including travel out of the country for the first time in nearly two years will be the next installment.

2 comments:

DukeAugust 29, 2022 at 12:44 PM
What fun times and gorgeous shots! Love the waterfall!
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OjoAugust 31, 2022 at 2:50 PM
Hi friends, Ojo here! I got all excited when I saw the giant bones - so much to chew on! - but my person says they're actually rock. REALLY? That's a let down! Also my person says she has been to many of these places, but I have not been here. Also, did you get a cupcake?
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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother