Steaming Along

Yes it's a traction engine!
And the wheels make great shadows!
This is another shot from Heritage Park...that outdoor museum in the south of Calgary. One of the neat things about this museum is that they often have working vehicles of various kinds operating. The building in the background is the station...where the steam train pulls in and just below the station is the working paddle steamer in which you can take a short trip on the Glenmore Reservoir.

Working Wednesday

Working Wednesday #2
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Okay...this is Canada, so I guess I'd better get the Mountie photo over and done with!

This guy is actually not a real member of the force but works at Heritage Park playing the part of a Northwest Mounted Police Officer (who were the precursors to the RCMP).

Throughout the summer season the park employs people to act the part of everyday folk from Alberta's history. This young man was taking care of the Mounties Police Post and gaol the day we visited...and doing a great job! He was delighting the kids by handcuffing them and throwing them into the cell you can see behind him...they all giggled furiously and bounced straight back out again!

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The Northwest Mounted Police played a critical part of Alberta's history being among the first settlers in Alberta. Established in Manitoba in 1873, a year later the 275 mounted police officers marched west, to southern Alberta, to establish a permanant post at FortMcleod and deal with whisky traders who were operating among the First Nations peoples. Soon after they became the Federal force of today.

Bygone Days

This brightly coloured display of vintage gas pumps is at Calgary's Heritage Park.

Heritage Park is an outdoor museum featuring actual buildings from Calgary's past, transported to this site, restored and furnished to their original state.
There's a working paddle steamer and steam train, a land claims office, hospital, one room school house, farm, RCMP post (complete with gaol)...it's a fascinating place to spend a day. Especially at weekends in summer when throughout the day actors in period costume tell the story of a
young couple - each scene set in a different building.

The barn with it's display of the history the motor vehicles in Western Canada is one of my favourite parts of the museum.

It's all those colours!