Bow Valley locals offer a warm welcome at the pub, or at autumn season community events
There are hundreds of good reasons to explore the untouched corners of the planet. Travel is the best education for anyone at any age - and particularly to regions of the world where we can get a true glimpse of how other cultures live.
What I always find interesting are the travel stories that relate the polar opposites of how travelers are received when they reach their destination. It seems to hold true that the friendliest of welcomes come from parts of the world where people make do with a lot less. Oddly enough, the least friendly of places to visit can be the most civilized, settled and wealthiest spots on our planet.
Canmore has had its growing pains over the years in the transformation from mining town to tourist town. Busier streets, fewer familiar faces, and development in every corner of this beautiful mountain town have been stressful for locals, particularly those who have been here for several generations.
There was a time not that many years ago when you might not find that even one in ten people would admit that Canmore was indeed firmly positioned to have tourism as the main driver of its economy.
I would say that opinion has changed, and changed drastically. The eyes of the world reflect the beauty and charm of Canmore, and the vast majority of Canmore people are growing used to the idea that we share our town with visitors from far and wide.
As our comfort grows with this relatively new vision of Canmore, I think our visitors find an increasingly warm welcome here.
This time of year is rife with opportunities to experience community life in the Bow Valley, and learn how visiting a truly friendly community can make all the difference in your visit.
It's one thing to mix with the locals on Friday evening in the busiest pub in Canmore - that would be The Drake, which morphs from an end-of-week pub-style get-together to a full-on nightspot with a great band on any Friday - but it's another to get out to the community events that just can't be missed by locals.
|
Our local theatre troupe, the Pine Tree Players, is planning a thriller for November, there's a church supper in October with unbelievable homemade pie (and, yes, help yourself to a second piece!), and Christmas art and crafts shows are already on our calendar.
Or head to The Banff Centre, where you can enjoy music and dance, visual art and cultural events just about any time of year. Those of us who call Banff and Canmore home make it a regular part of our lives to take in the many cultural gems offered by this world renowned cultural centre.
Whatever your plans for a visit to the Canadian Rockies - golfing, hiking, skiing or just relaxing - don't miss at least a few opportunities to come out and mingle with the locals.
- Shari Bishop Bowes, Editor, SolaraLife
We welcome your comments and suggestions, as well as submissions from freelance writers who have a passion for the Canadian Rockies. Contact us at contact@solaralife.com
|
