In 1911 our grandfather came west from Ontario on a "harvester's special". He got off at Fort Walsh, where he found work as a cook and cowboy. We've lived in and loved Alberta ever since. Jewel of the Canadian West is an occasionally updated blog about Southwestern Alberta's people and places. The best corner of the best province in the best country in the world, I like to say. Welcome to The Jewel of The Canadian West!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Why We Have Guns Out Here

People in the city often are ignorant of the need for firearms out here on the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains.  2011 was unusual for us because it is the first full year in memory that we have not seen bears in our backyard, although we did have one pile of droppings early in the summer so we know they're around.  Consider this story dated Sept. 20, 2010:  "These two gentlemen were calling elk in the Saddle Hills south of Woking, Alberta, when this big grizzly slipped in on the caller. The shooter spotted the bear about 8 yards from the caller, and dropped him with 5 shots from his .338 Winchester Magnum.  Farmers in the area knew about the bear but weren’t able to track it, even after it had killed 3 horses, 5 cows, 13 sheep, and a pen full of chickens on several different homesteads in the area.  Fish and Wildlife officers had bear traps set up in the area but noticed on surveillance videos that whenever he would enter a trap, his hump would hit the top of the culvert, slowing him enough that the trap door would whack him on the head before he was all the way in.  This bear weighed in just under 1300 pounds, and would have stood almost 12 feet tall on its hind legs."  A bear that kills horses, and too big for a bear trap!  The picture shows his "island-sized" paw.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

And Now For a Change of Tune ...

Tim Hus could be Canada's Dwight Yoakim. But that's not fair to Tim; it could be that Dwight Yoakim is America's Tim Hus. Last night was a musical milestone for Stella's and for us - the first time we've tapped our toes in a long while until we just had to get up and dance. Tim's music just won't let you sit there. Ably backed up by his fine band, The Rocky Mountain Two, Tim's unique voice and solid stage presence show a professionalism rarely seen in more well-known acts and venues. Close your eyes and there was enough Texas Swing to take you back anywhere you wanted to go. A little Merle Haggard, a little Buck Owens, and a whole lot of Tim - one of Canada's best young song writers. Catch these guys if they're in your neighbourhood, and don't forget your dancin' boots!  Follow this link for more.