5 things I love about Canmore
Canmore, Alberta is my base for the summer. And to me, this town feels as Canadian as it gets. Here are my top 5 things I love about Canmore
Conversations about bears
When we sit outside in the evenings we tell stories. Here, where the sun sets late, there is a lot of time for storytelling. They are refreshingly different to the stories I am used to. People talk about encounters with bears, about avalanches and their favorite climbs. Even though I have nothing to contribute to any of these subjects yet, I love hearing about them.
Press here for heat
Today was a day for shorts and flip flops. But in the winter it gets cold out here! Evidence of that I saw at the bus stop where there is a button with this sign. Overhead radiators warm waiting passengers at the push of a button.
A day off in Canmore is a day on a hike
People are so outdoorsy here! As soon as they have time off, they go hiking, swimming or climbing. Walking downtown today I saw mountain bikers and several cars with canoes and kayaks tied to their roofs. Rafting season started, too. When they have time, people are enjoying the scenery. I am surrounded by explorers!
Rock climbing gym: the cultural center of Canmore
I just love this: downtown Canmore you’ll find the so-called Elevation Place. It is intended as a third space concept, a cultural center if you want. There is a library, a gallery, a coffee shop, a pool with steam room and hot tub AND a climbing gym. Because, obviously that is the most important thing to have around here. I went with a rock climbing friend and am told that the climbs are much harder here than in other parts of the country. We saw even little kids climb up those walls like monkeys.
Grazing elk in the hood
The first time I saw an elk here was at night, on the side of the road. Like a tourist, I took blurry pictures of the huge animal. A few days later, several elk grazed next to our campsite in Jasper after dinner. I have seen so many of them in the past month, that they are just part of daily life for me now. They hang out, ironically, at the corner of Benchland trail and Elk Run Boulevard a lot. Nobody minds, people just go about their business. Elk or no elk.
A month ago it was hard for me to imagine that all these things would normal at some point. And yet, here we are. Bears, avalanches, elk, climbs and heated bus stops. The new normal.
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