Rtn Anne Moriaty: Canada - Calgary to Vancouver

Today’s speaker was our 1st VP and PDG Anne Moriaty, who told us about the trip she and her husband, Steve, made when they attended a Rotary international Convention in Calgary this year. It took place two weeks before the annual Calgary Stampede.

The Convention took place in a stadium large enough to take the 20,000 attending. As is traditional, it began with a presentation by members of the First Nations. Anne was pleased to be able to speak a number of Rotarians, including the District Governor of Ireland’s sole Rotary District.

It was not possible to travel around Calgary without realising that the Rotarian Convention was happening, as there were numerous references to it, including this banner in the local stadium.

Anne and Steve also went along a trail in the local forest. Various quotations were displayed on pieces of wood along the trail, including one saying “May the forest heal your heart.”

After the Convention Anne and Steve boarded the Rocky Mountaineer for the next stage of their journey. The journey took a couple of days. The meals were served in a dining room on the lower level of a carriage which had a viewing area on top. As to be expected, there were tremendous views. The train travels on a track used only by the Rocky Mountaineer and freight trains. Occasionally the Mountaineer had to stop to let a freight train pass (slowly!) but there were passing places.

In places the track was parallel to a nearby line used by other trains. Anne showed us a photograph they had taken from their window showing a large bear on the neighbouring track. They were safe inside their train.