Now Calgary ain't like any other city I know. In July we all go hogwild and have ourselves the greatest outdoor show on earth. It's called the Calgary Stampede and we got chuckwagon races, all sorts of rodeo stuff and everybody dresses like a cowboy for 10 days. The standard costume is cowboy boots, jeans, western shirt and tie and of course a cowboy hat. Stores and buildings are decorated and we have free pancake breakfasts all over the place for all 10 days. There's square dancin in the streets and cowboy music is everywhere.

Purdy darn good spots to go to (click on the place for lots of good info):

Sicome Lake (July 1- Aug 30) For swimming and sun bathing. Located at the southend of Fish Creek Park. Better than you would expect for inside the city.

Riley Park - Best wading pool. If you have children under 9 it's the best wading pool I've ever been to.

Bowness Park - North West not far from the #1 highway. It's got a lagoon and you can hire canoes. Some of my strange friends have fallen overboard on a few occasions. There's a mini golf here but a better one is at Canada Olympic Park.

Carburn Park - South east in the community of Riverbend. Nice walk around the lake takes about an hour. You can fish in the Bow River and there's lots of playground equipment.

Fish Creek Park - For hiking. I think it's about 25 miles long but do as much as you like. It's a provincial park right inside the city.

17th Ave SW- (from 5st to 14 st). Lots of galleries and shops and restaurants. Good place to wander around on an afternoon.

T.D. Square (From the Bay to Eatons). Lots of shopping and check out the Devonian Gardens on the 4th floor. They are large yet well hidden so you might have to ask someone inside the mall.

Bragg Creek - 40 Km west of Calgary on hwy 22X. Great little shops to browse and some nice places to eat. Make sure you check out Elbow Falls (just past Bragg Creek on hwy 22). Allow 2 hours.

Firefighters Museum - 4124 11th St. S.E. - (hours Wed-Sat 10-5 and Sun noon-5 till Sept 6th).

Canadian Western Natural Gas (now Atco) - 909 11 Av SW (hours Mon-Fri 8-4:30)

Energeum - 640 5 Av SW (hours Mon-Fri 10:30-4:30). Allow 1 hour. Downtown

Crescent Hill - Best view of the city and downtown. Take Centre St from downtown and take a left at the top and just find your way to the edge of the hill. Parking and benches available. Bring your camera.

Scotchmans Hill - Overlooks the Stampede Grounds. Great spot for fireworks viewing if you're here during Stampede. Bring a blanket to sit on. Also good for photos anytime.

The Deane House - (It's a restaurant next to Fort Calgary)

The Palace - (Nightclub, used to be a movie theatre. I played with the ghost here in 1980). Downtown on Stephen Ave.

The Canmore Opera House - Heritage Park

The Prince House - Heritage Park

Sam Livingstone House - Heritage Park

The Banff Springs Hotel - Banff (1.5 hours west of Calgary)

The Kilmorey Lodge - Waterton (3 hours south of Calgary)

Buzzard's Cowboy Cuisine - 10 Ave and 1st Street S.E.

Le Picola - Italian (Excellent). Avenida Mall off Macleod Tr.

Il Chianti - Italian (Very Good). Edmonton Trail and 22 Ave N.E.

The Unicorn - Irish (Dwnstrs 304 - 8 Ave S.W.)

Inn On Lake Bonavista -International, nice location on the lake.

Caeser's - Steakhouse (home of the world famous "Ceaser"). It's clamato juice, vodka, spices and a stick of celery). 2 locations. 10816 Macleod Tr. S or 512 4 Ave S.W. (downtown)

Hy's - Steakhouse (Most famous steak in town). 316 4th Av SW