We're in Alberta Canada! Our first home in this part of Canada is in Calgary.
Heritage Park / Gasoline Alley Museum:
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| Gasoline Alley Museum |
We returned to the golden age of the automobile at Gasoline Alley Museum. This museum features one of the largest public collections of restored gas pumps, antique vehicles and oil and gas-related artifacts from the turn of the 20th century to the 1950s.
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| 1931 Cord L-29 |
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| 1932 Auburn |
Heritage Park:
While in Heritage Park, we rode on a vintage steam train and strolled around a Historical Village that depicts life as it was in the 1880s. Costumed interpreters helped tell the story of the Canadian West.
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| Ladies singing |
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| A Grave Undertaking |
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| Executing the Will |
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| The Funeral |
Since it was Sunday, we attended a church service with a banjo-playing pastor!
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| St. Martin's Church |
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| Old-fashioned Church Service |
Calgary Public Library - Central:
As a retired librarian and lover of architecture, I was looking forward to visiting the Calgary Central Public Library. And what a treat it was! The building was designed by the American-Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta.
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| Calgary Public Library - Central |
The exterior of the Library is wrapped in a textured façade, with translucent fritted glass panels used to shield private study areas and clear glass to make public areas viewable from the outside.
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| Calgary Public Library - Central |
The entrance is framed by wood-clad arches inspired by the shape of arched clouds made by Chinook winds in Alberta.
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| Interior of Calgary Public Library |
The Library itself is very welcoming with clever signage and interesting displays throughout. A wonderful place to relax and enjoy a good book!
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre:
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| Studio Bell |
Studio Bell was a fun place to explore Canada's music history. In addition to exhibitions, there were several interactive activities where you could learn to play guitar, keyboard and even a theremin!
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| Idols & Icons Exhibit |
In the exhibit Idols & Icons, we recognized many of our favorite artists!
We saw a wonderful special exhibition, The Timeless: 100 years of Oscar Peterson.
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| Oscar Peterson Exhibition |
This special exhibition honors an amazing jazz legend.
Another interesting exhibit was Music & Wellness. I learned that musical stimulation can help improve memory, motor skills, communication and assist in pain management. There are even treatments using music for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease!
Upon finishing our visit to Studio Bell, I saw this quote by Aldous Huxley that summarizes music for me:
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| Aldous Huxley quote |
More to come in this Blue Sky City!
