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The Grizzly Paw

XOXO Canmore

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XOXO Canmore

“When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad…”
—Rogers and Hammerstein, My Favorite Things

Mountainside wildlife.

Mountainside wildlife.

This love letter should come as no surprise. Our family’s roots run deep in Alberta. My father was born Lethbridge, and I have memories of visits to not one, but two sets of grandparents.

Close to twenty years ago, we ventured into this little town—this Valhalla. Canmore is where I fell in love with Dave. It’s where our lives came together, and our hearts lie still.

Canmore overlook at sunrise.

Canmore overlook at sunrise.

It seems every April, like clockwork, the urge to go north sets in. Dave dreams about crystal clear lakes and rugged mountains. We binge-watch all the movies we can find that use the Canadian Rockies as a location. We crave poutine. In essence, we shift gears.

Spray Lake.

Spray Lake.

What’s outside your window?

What’s outside your window?

Canmore Golf and Curling Club.

Canmore Golf and Curling Club.

Bow River evening walk.

Bow River evening walk.

Not unlike the Canadian geese who winter in Arizona, in May, we take flight—only to return to the desert by November.

September in the Canadian Rockies.

September in the Canadian Rockies.

But this year is different for everyone. Isolation is not by choice, it’s mandatory. CoVid-19 continues to take its toll on the lives and livelihoods of so many worldwide.

So we all wait, hope for better days ahead, and remember our favorite things.

Despite fires, floods, and global pandemics, Canmore, you will always be our home away from home. XOXO.


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A Week of Firsts

A Week of Firsts

Our transition from the desert to the mountains is a usually a quick one. We jump in with both feet. This past week was full of firsts—some traditional, and some not so…  

It seems like we brought the heat with us again this year. We were greeted with temps near 30°c, but fortunately, it didn’t last. Our first walk into town was on a rainy, gusty, Oooooh. Clouds. This was the first real rain we had seen since late last year. The icing on the cake seeing our first elk!

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Downtown Canmore

Downtown Canmore

The Grizzly Paw Pub

The Grizzly Paw Pub

The Grizzly Paw on Main St. in Canmore has been a first stop tradition of ours for close to 20 years. There is nothing better than an order of poutine, a pint of Big Herd Nut Brown, and another pint of Buffalo Stout. Welcome home.

Barrier Lake Trail

Barrier Lake Trail

The Barrier Lake Trail was our first real hike of the season. One BIG uphill, with a beautiful payoff. Someday, I will ride my mountain bike up that one. NOT GONNA HAPPEN.

Lastly, one of the most joyous firsts of the week was to discover the new dog park by our home. Dota and Puccini have never experienced the real freedom of running free.. It is so wonderful to see them running, sniffing, and exploring on their own. Go lil’ mountain dogs, go.

Free to run.

Free to run.

Dota takes a stand.

Dota takes a stand.