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Canada 2005 Update Part 1
(The first of our
weekly trip logs.)
July 4th-6th
Written by Mary Schenk
JULY
4 - 6, 2005
Norma Dunn, International Marketing for Agri-Services Limited and a member of
the International Committee of the Calgary Stampede, was Hoot Gibson's first
contact with Stampede way back in Bandera in 2003. Norma has since become one
of our most valued friends and when she suggested we might like to come along as
she escorted a group of beef producers from Sweden through British Columbia on
their way to Stampede, we jumped at the chance.
Our time in BC was a treat. The scenery in this part of Canada, through Banff
and Glacier National Parks, is spectacular. Hoot's background in geology made
the trip particularly interesting to him as we traveled through areas sheered
and carved by glaciers. Abundant wildlife populates the area and we were able
to see big horn sheep walking alongside the highway between Banff and Langley
(near Vancouver). Signs advertised "Forecasts indicate 95 percent chance of
grizzlies" although we were not fortunate enough to see any. Mountain goats,
deer, elk and moose also roam these mountains, forests and lakes.
The highlight of our time in BC, however, was our time with the folks of Taurus
Meats of Sweden. Norma travels world wide on behalf of the beef industry and
she met the Swedish beef producers in 1999. They were interested in learning
the most up to date methods of cattle breeding, management and marketing. Since
1999, Norma and her Swedish contacts have traveled to Argentina, South Africa,
the United States and Canada, sightseeing and studying cattle and dairy
operations.
In British Columbia, the Taurus Meats group toured a dairy farm, a cranberry
farm and walked vast stretches of the Walter Wolf Ranch. We were
privileged to travel with them and share the hospitality of Arne Raven at two dinners and
a lunch, as well as get an up close look at a deep glacier created "kettle" on
his ranch.
Our time with these fun loving folks from Sweden was wonderful. The first
night we all gathered in a suite at the Ramada, Langley, and partied, sang and
generally had a boy-howdy good time. Our second night was spent at a barn
dance and dinner at the Wolf Ranch, hosted by Arne, where a local musician (Wally
Churchill of Wally and the
Wallbangers) played and sang good old time two-steppin' music for us. Hoot had
another opportunity to sing and I had the pleasure of several dances with Wally,
who's not only a darn good musician, but a darn good dancer! Several locals
joined us for a night of waltzing in the rustic old barn.
Arne, who is of Danish descent, fed us royally on good Alberta beef at noon and
excellent pork ribs at night. Thank you, Arne, for your grand Canadian
hospitality and the time at your gorgeous ranch.
We also met some Australian tourists who were on their way to Stampede and Norma
included them in our group. We plan to meet up with the Swedish folks and the
Australians later next week. One of the many pluses of our Stampede connection
has been the incredible international experience it has afforded us. Being able
to mix and mingle with people of so many nationalities is amazing and we
treasure each and every contact.
This is as good a place as any to offer our thanks and gratitude to Norma Dunn
for her help and friendship of the last few years. Without her and her
tremendous support, the road for the EYE RECKON FREEDOM RIDE would have been a
lot lonelier and more difficult. Thank you, Norma! We look forward to many
more years of your friendship, your wonderful sense of humor and your contagious
spirit of adventure.
On to Stampede. As our "fellow" Calgarians would say, "YA-HOO!"
Back to News
For More Information Contact:
The Eye Reckon Freedom Ride
P.O. Box 1945, Bandera, Texas 78003
Tel: (830) 460-8430
Internet:
eyereckonride@aol.com
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