Drumheller, AB
Our next stop on our Alberta trip took us east of Calgary, to the “dinosaur capital of the world”. This area is rife with dinosaur fossils and badlands terrain.
Our unique accommodation was a windmill, originally built just outside of Canmore in the late 1970s as a honeymoon suite at a campground. Since then, it was left to fall into disrepair until current owner Travis was able to take ownership and move it to its current location in the hamlet of Rosebud. It took 3.5 years to restore the windmill, and the effort certainly paid off. This was simply the cutest accommodation ever. The fully equipped kitchen, full-size laundry, cosy living area and modern bathroom made up the main floor, and the spiral staircase took us up to our bedroom. And there was more! We could take the bedroom door outside to the wraparound deck or pull down the secret trap-room hatch to access the little blue library. It was truly magical! The windmill even spins!
We spent our evenings availing of the board games. The thought and care put into creating the tiny home was evident. It’s hard to portray it all through words and photos. The price of our stay was extremely reasonable and Travis the owner was super attentive. Most importantly, Rita made herself comfortable.
Our time in Drumheller brought us 30-degree heat, which made exploring the arid, barren landscape tough. Fortunately, there were not a lot of long hikes. Rita made good use of her cooling jacket. Our first stop was Horseshoe Canyon, a striking area of the badlands which clearly showcases four layers of sediment deposited over the years, including those of coal, which used to be mined here, and the layer which encases the dinosaur fossils. We followed the short trail around and down into the canyon.
Another unique landscape is found at Willow Creek Hooboos (the word hooboo derived from a particular magic practice). These naturally eroded stacks of rock create a peculiar mushroom-like silhouette. There’s a walkway built around the most fragile park of the formation to protect it from the impact of humans. This is a cool sightseeing stop.
The Star Mine Suspension Bridge stretches across the Red Deer River, with its history rooted in the lives of the miners. Prior to the initial construction of the bridge, the miners took rowboats to work. The bridge just reopened this year after major renovations to ensure it was safe for visitors to cross. It didn’t sway too much, but the floor was a wide metal grating, so I carried Rita across. It was a fun stop on our trip!
Wayne, now with a population of just 28, is known as the ghost town of Drumheller.
It was formerly a mining town. There’s not much to see, but the drive into the town features eleven bridges, and this made for a novel entrance. The main (only?) attraction of Wayne is Last Chance Saloon, established in 1913. This was properly out of the wild wild west, with swinging doors and memorabilia lining the walls. The best part? A dog friendly patio, complete with dog menu and H2O station. Rita enjoyed her prairie dog balls, and many pats from the waitress. Emma thought her farm-to-table smash burger was the best of the holiday, and my veg melody salad was the epitome of “taste the rainbow”.
On day two, we travelled north of Drumheller, starting with Michichi Creek Boardwalk, which travels across wetlands, educating walkers on the surrounding flora, fauna and animals by way of interpretative signs. As we journeyed back to the town, along the Dinosaur Trail, we stopped at Horse Thief Canyon, a vast canyonland named after the antics of the horses who would disappear into the valley and return home with different brandings. Another interesting sightseeing spot is the Little Church, a place of worship set on the side of the road which accommodates up to six parishioners at a time during its regular services. The Badlands Interpretative Trail, located at the Tyrell Museum, is a 1.4km trail leading into Midland Provincial Park and is a safe way to explore and learn about the geography and formation of the badlands. Although a little hot, it was a nice trail to take with Rita. Dogs are not allowed in the museum but be sure to pop into the gift shop for some dino merch.
Back in downtown Drumheller, we wandered along the DinoArt Walk for some fun photo opportunities with the dinosaurs scattered across town. We also enjoyed the dinosaur-themed business names and décor. Dog-friendly gift shops include The Faux Den and The Fossil Shop. On this hot day, we stopped at Valley Brewing’s dog-friendly patio for a drink. I also grabbed an iced coffee from Rocky Mtn Roasters, who have a street-side patio welcoming dogs. The highlight of the town is the World’s Largest Dinosaur, Tyra, standing at 26.3m.
