Calgary Downtown and Sam Livingstone Fish Hatchery

Today was rainy and the forecast promised a few hours free of rain midday so we looked for an indoor activity. We picked a small aquarium next to the Bow River in East Calgary and visited the Sam Livingstone Fish Hatchery and Bow Habitat Station.

There are two stories in the building and at the lower there are several aquariums with the different fish of Alberta. Even our one year old kid was very happy and cheered loudly the slowly moving fish. Abels favourite was the huge fish with buttons and we learnt together the inner and outer parts of fish in English.

Then on the upper level there are lots of interesting displays of how water could be saved and many interactive exhibits about the environment protection and the animals of Alberta. We could even see the large tanks with 7 months old trouts which are raised at the hatchery. Later they will be transported by large tankers to lakes.

After visiting the hatchery we went outside and the rain stopped so we had a nice picnic lunch. Afterwards we walked on the pathways to the river where we found a nicely built rowing section with fast currents.

Several people trained there in kayaks and even surfing was possible on a large standing wave. While we were freezing in long sleeves locals wete sitting IN the water, which was quite cold. Abel was checking the neighbouring wildlife.

We drve to downtown to have a feel of Calgary which seems the most vibrant city of Canada for now. Lots of people moving in, businesses growing and in general you can feel the energy. St Johns was the opposite in feelings, although we liked it but that city seemed mote in a downward trend.

We have seen the bull in front of the Stock Exchange building.

Then we visited the huge human head called The Wonderland Sculpture in front of the highridr building The Bow.