Tags
Alberta, Calgary, Canada, Cochrane, community, Diana Schwenk, families, living in the moment, road trip, Sundays, Tourist in my own city, Travel
On Sunday when I posted 10 Questions For When You’re Stuck, some of you commented with wonderful suggestions for getting unstuck.
Including Van over at vanbytheriver who suggested:
When I can, I get away, usually alone, where I can assess things more clearly. I always come back with a fresh perspective, after a few days, or even several hours.
It sounded good to me, so early on Sunday afternoon, I got into my recently repaired car with the intention of going to Bowness Park. Somewhere along the way I took a wrong turn and ended up on the Trans Canada Highway heading west toward the mountains. Providence perhaps?
So I went with the flow and decided to go to Cochrane.
Cochrane, Alberta is nestled in a valley, surrounded by Rocky View County, 36 km west of Calgary and about 100 km east of Banff. It is the second largest town in Alberta – with a population of 17,580.
I go there often during the summer – it’s so close – and once I even co-hosted a folk festival there!
Upon exiting my car, I heard music and wondered if the town of Cochrane had installed speakers along the main street. I soon discovered that a group of young violinists were entertaining the locals.
They were amazing!
While watching the girls perform, a local woman chatted me up – I love that about towns!
We talked about how amazing these young musicians were, the different cities and provinces we’d both visited in our lives and how we both loved it out west.
We parted ways, she to run errands, and me to cross the street for an ice cream cone at MacKay’s – you can read about their amazing family business history here. Their reputation for good homemade ice cream is known across Alberta!
Unfortunately, the line to get ice cream was stretching outside the store and down the block. Not wanting to wait in line, I walked on and discovered the Cochrane Coffee Traders shop. How had I missed this place after all these years?
I ordered a Cappuccino to go and found a bench on the main street from which to do some people-watching. It was a gorgeous day and the street was buzzing with activity. Most folks had MacKay’s ice cream in hand!
The street seems to have been built to facilitate community. Comfortable benches are present at each corner and are positioned in such a way as to encourage conversation, or as I’ve heard it called in Calgary – loitering.
Cochrane convinces me that I am definitely pro-loitering!
That’s the big draw of towns for me; the sense of community, the openness of strangers, their unique businesses and wares, and the architecture of their buildings.
Did this trip help me get unstuck or give me a fresh perspective on things, you ask?
Maybe not in the way I had hoped for, but in all the ways that are truly important – Thanks for the idea Van!
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
What’s your favourite close-to-you town to visit? What do you like best about it?
Healing Grief said:
Sometimes these little towns give us big perspectives and insight. Thankyou for sharing your day with us and reminding us to go with the flow and maybe take a wrong turn every now and then. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
My pleasure Karen, thanks for stopping by. ❤
Diana xo
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earthriderjudyberman said:
Diana … I love your suggestion. It seems your ‘wrong’ turn was the ‘right’ one after all. Love the photos, too – especially the one about the chickens crossing the road. 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
Isn’t that chicken one great Judy? Often wrong turns have brought me to the best places. Is that true for you too? ❤
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
It looks like it was a fun day anyway! 😀 ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
It most certainly was Rachel! ❤
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
Sounds like a very nice day!
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dianasschwenk said:
It was an awesome day Smitty! ❤
Diana xo
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Jim McKeever said:
What a great way to hit the re-set button! Thanks, Diana!
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dianasschwenk said:
That it was Jim! Thanks for stopping by and reading my post. ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
I actually haven’t been to Cochrane yet. My partner has cycled twice through there. Once we were cycling back on the Trans Canada highway near the turn-off to Cochrane. My partner had a flat tire. We ended up stopping and he changed the tire in MEDIAN strip of the highway.
Man, that was freaky –all those cars bifurcating up the hill around us at over 80 km./hr. I think the drivers were stunned when they saw us.
We end up going to Banff or Canmore to chill..which we will get there next weekend. I probably fall into bed shortly getting there because I’m still recovering. But we always go to Banff/Lake Louise/Canmore at least 1-2 times per year.
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dianasschwenk said:
First off Jean, I learned a new word – bifurcating – thank you!
You and your partner should head out to Cochrane one day. They have wonderful restaurants and the best ice-cream ever and it’s so close – perfect for an impromptu trip!
You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers for a quick recovery. ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
Appreciate this…I managed to sleep for over 5 hrs. last night. A feat for me after several days of hardly any sleep..it verges on dangerous.
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dianasschwenk said:
It does Jean. So glad you slept better last night. ❤
Diana xo
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bulldog said:
As you would probably guess I hate towns but rather head for the bush… no traffic noise, no chattering of people, just the lovely sounds of nature… there I can unwind and think…
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dianasschwenk said:
That sounds about right for you bulldog! You have certainly had a long and rich life with wildlife. ❤
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
Your post was definitely not stuck-up, Diana, and neither seem the people of Cochrane. The photo of the gaggle of young violinists is a winner. I would have waited on the ice cream line and gotten so sugar free vanlla, or sugar free coffee if they had that, Diana.
Karen and I like to take a drive about 25 miles east of Syracuse in the summer to a little village called Sylvan Beach. It is on Oneida Lake, with a boardwalk, amusements, and bars and restaurants. A close and easy getaway. Our mini-Coney Island.
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m not sure they have sugar free ice cream, you don’t eat sugar?
Sylvan Beach sounds lovely Mark. We have a Sylvan Lake not too far from here – how interesting!
I grew up near the Chateauguay River in Chateauguay, Quebec and I understand that the Chateauguay River runs through NY as well? So many places have similar names across our countries, it’s really quite fascinating… ❤
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
We share so much across our borders, Diana. No wonder we get along so well. Tim Hortons now, too. 😉 I have hear of the Chateuguay here on the New York side, yes.
I stay away from sugar because of my Type II diabetes.
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dianasschwenk said:
That we do. I took a picture that I didn’t share on this post because it didn’t turn out. But It was of a hotel bar called the Texas Gate. 🙂
I always order a large double, double at Timmy’s. 😀
Diabetes is a very good reason NOT to eat sugar Mark. 🙂
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markbialczak said:
Yes, we will always have joints that take each other’s names, Diana. Hey, I like the sound of a large, double, double! I am the guy with a home coffee cup the size of my head, after all. But I don’t but sugar nor even a sugar substitute in it. Just Half and Half.
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dianasschwenk said:
I usually just have cream too but at Timmy’s, where I stop before road trips, I always get a double, double, partly a throwback to when I used to take sugar and partly because I like saying double, double. I suppose I could say double, double, hold the sugar?? 😉
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markbialczak said:
That would get you either a hard stare or a standing ovation, Diana. Not to mention, then you’d have to worry about what actually was in your double double hold.
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dianasschwenk said:
haha I live for hard stares!
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markbialczak said:
And hard decisions! How about hard liquor? Oh, Diana, funny day. 😉 ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Mom always said I do everything the hard way Mark.
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markbialczak said:
And ma always knows best. Right, Michaela? 😉
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joannerambling said:
Looks like you had a great day
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dianasschwenk said:
I did Jo-Anne – thanks for stopping by! ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
Diana, I just want to say I love this day you had. 🙂 And the pictures of it. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Colleen I love it too. ❤
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
Diana it sounds like a wonderful place I love the chicken sign, cracked me up and the idea of creating a community feeling with places for people to congregate. Thats a fantastic idea. I am happy you shared your special day with us.
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dianasschwenk said:
My pleasure Kath, so glad you came along, if only in spirit. ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Diana,
Sometimes when we take a wrong turn we end up in the right place.
Obviously you did.
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
I whole-heartedly concur Alan! ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
And thanks for the side ways heart. See, I remembered.
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
haha you’re welcome, I only wish it showed you the heart emoticon, like it’s supposed to do. When I do this: 🙂 does it turn into a yellow smilie face?
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vanbytheriver said:
Good for you, Diana. Sometimes getting lost, or taking a wrong turn has led to the best adventures. Hmmm…but who’s to say it was really a wrong turn after all ? Thanks for the mention. Hope it was helpful. ☺ Van
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dianasschwenk said:
More than helpful, it was fun van! Yeah, some of my best memories happened when I was lost. ❤
Diana xo
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Wendy L. Macdonald said:
Diana, I enjoyed tagging along with your visit to Cochrane (great pictures). I like small towns too. My favorite local town to visit is Cumberland because of an abundance of character buildings. The main street makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, and the storekeepers are all so friendly. It’s close to a lake my daughter and I like to swim in too. ❤
Blessings & happy Earth Day ~ Wendy ❀
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dianasschwenk said:
That sounds like the perfect town Wendy – so picturesque! ❤
Diana xo
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russtowne said:
Your post made me smile, Diana. Thank you!
Russ xo
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dianasschwenk said:
Ahh your smile makes me smile Russ. ❤
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
I LOVE this post and this place sounds like fun … especially as the chickens can cross the road without being questioned! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
haha yes, it’s a very inclusive town Elizabeth! 😉
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Love the look of that coffee shop! And the chicken sign made me laugh. As for your question, there are too many close-by towns that I like to pick a favorite, but you’re right: small towns have such charm. Hope your impromptu detour did something to improve your perspective, Diana. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
It did Jennifer. It improved my countenance and reminds me what’s really important, no matter where you are, and that’s connecting… ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
I’m glad!
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Don Royster said:
Sounds like you found Brigadoon.
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dianasschwenk said:
haha not quite Don but there was music playing…
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Louise Gallagher said:
Coffee Traders is one of my favourite ‘go to’ places when I need a fresh perspective, or just a good taste of small town Alberta!
Love that sign about the chickens. Love it! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
haha I love the chicken sign too Louise. Just a few more days before your happy day huh? Yay! ❤
Diana xo
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Ann Koplow said:
My favorite close-to-me town is Diana-town! Why? Because I learn, grow, and enjoy myself every time I visit.
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dianasschwenk said:
You are so sweet Ann – thank you! The feeling is mutual – I learn so much from you too. ❤
Diana xo
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jmgoyder said:
So when are you coming to Dardanup? 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Is that close to you Julie? I love the name of it! ❤
Diana xo
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