"It's really brokeback mountain-ish over here"

- a rather accurate description of our latest hotel, brought to you by Mike Palermo.

After a three hour drive from Edmonton, we've landed in CALGARY where we'll be setting up camp until Saturday. Not only are we here smackdab in the middle of the Calgary Stampede, we're also staying at a Country Inn and Suites. There are hay bails on display at the entrance, a homey, hearthy fireplace in the lobby, and concierges decked out in cowboy hats and plaid shirts. Where the rodeo at?!

The weather is the only thing that's straying from the western theme. It's currently POURING (as it has been all day) and it's only about 10° C here...TEN DEGREES! We actually saw our breath outside today and my feet were freezing in my flip flops. I'll let you know if it starts snowing.

But! At the moment, Mike, Natalie, Cassandra and I are hanging out in one of our sweet suites - (ha) - getting cozy with the TV and Facebook. Josh and Grant are off seeing family, so it's just us four for the evening.

I've been LOVING the drive so far. Watching the sights out the car window as the provinces go by has been awesome. But at the same time, it's actually really nice just to sit in one place for a bit. I, personally, am wrapped up in a colourful sweater and sweatpants with my legs crossed on this rolly chair while snacking on a plastic bag of chocolate chips from Safeway. Our plan is to hit up the pool and hot tub, but I just swiveled around in my seat to look at everyone else in the room...not sure if any movement is gonna happen anytime soon.

BUT. What WILL happen soon (tomorrow or Thursday, depending on the weather) is a trip to the Stampede grounds!!! We were supposed to be doing a Calgary Co-op grocery store tomorrow, but it got cancelled last minute. So who knows, maybe we'll get to experience TWO days of the wild west at this, the largest rodeo in the world, in Calgary,

Alberta,

Summer,

2010.

yeeeeeeeee HAW!