Calgary City View B&B Between Prairie and Rockies

Hailing from Quebec, Micheline is a spontaneous spirit who has retained the refreshing charm of an enthusiast. Her Bed and Breakfast, Calgary City View, brims with life, offering an immediate sense of welcome and comfort. With a rich history as a nurse and a globe-trotter who has journeyed from Alaska to Brazil, Europe, and Malaysia, Micheline thrives on challenges and often emerges victorious.

Perched atop a small hill, her villa boasts a strategic location, offering views of both the downtown skyscrapers and the distant Rocky Mountains, a mere two-hour drive away. Bathed in natural light streaming through expansive bay windows, the villa’s minimalist decor reflects Micheline’s lifestyle. The living room houses an open and connected computer, and a grand piano that piques curiosity. As the day ends, a stunning sunset from the Rockies illuminates the city and the plains. The famous Stampede, the venue for thrilling rodeos, stands proudly in the foreground.

Micheline and her son Eric, an employee at the downtown Hyatt hotel, often embark on exhilarating rides on their Harley Davidson-style motorcycles. The cityscape of Calgary, with its burgeoning buildings and vast flat expanses, evokes memories of Tucson, Arizona. Unlike the frequent rains of Vancouver or the snowy winters of Quebec, Calgary enjoys consistently pleasant weather.

The vibrant Chinese district near downtown marked our entry into the city. Upon our arrival, we were courteously directed by Mr. Dobie To to the Dragon City Plaza. Here, on the third floor, we found a Chinese cultural center where we could access our emails.

After several visits to this Hong Kong-style shopping center, we encountered Patricia Lam, the vice-president of the Hoy Sun Assoc. of Calgary, an organization for immigrants from Hong Kong and China. Despite it being closing time, she graciously allowed us to use the computers.

Bragg Creek, a quaint village southwest of Calgary, is a haven for hiking and fly fishing. The valley, with its meadows, woods, and river, transports you back to the era of pioneers and gold prospectors. The sight of the vast plains and the formidable Rocky Mountains, the final barrier before the Pacific Ocean, must have been overwhelming for the weary settlers deciding whether to press on or halt their journey.

The Tsuu T’ina Indians, once the masters of this land, coexisted peacefully with other tribes amidst herds of bison numbering in the tens of thousands. Today, they reside in “Natives Land” reserves, receiving a majority sum of $60,000CD, a guilt payment from the whites that may not necessarily bring about significant change.

To the right of the road, modern Canada unfolds, with new constructions mushrooming rapidly, while to the left, the reserve seems to be in a state of perpetual waiting. Straight ahead lies the road to Banff in the Rockies, a small tourist town funded by Japanese capital. This road will eventually lead us to Revelstoke and the Green Gables Loft B&B, managed by Gundy Baty.