Typically Western

This photo was taken on 11 November 2016, when my daughter and I had a day out together. We started off at 9:00 am and drove straight to the Saskatoon Farm for breakfast - I had a delicious meal of quiche and sweet potato fries. On a quick wander round the grounds, Ornamental Cabbage or Flowering Kale were the only plants with colour. The rest had all gone to seed. I always like seeing the two old cow skulls displayed near the entrance.

This interesting place is maybe a 20-minute drive SE from the southern edge of Calgary. You can collect your own Saskatoon berries in season, look around their outside green houses, and their inside gift shop full of unusual things, and buy special baking, jams, teas and so on. They also have a restaurant that offers great food.

www.saskatoonfarm.com/

We then drove west into Okotoks, to go to the antique store, All Around the House" and to the Christmas Market being held in the town.

From here, for some insane reason, we drove as far as Millarville to go to their annual Christmas Market. We knew what a popular event this is, but I don't think I have ever seen as many cars anywhere, for anything! It was totally crazy, with endless vehicles lined up along various nearby roads, waiting to be able to park in the fields, as the market parking lot was full most of the time. Thankfully, they had arranged for two or three small school buses to transport people from the field to the Market. Some people chose to get a wagon ride instead. Later, when we were ready to leave, we had to wait for a bus again. More time (hours?) was spent waiting for buses than was spent actually walking around the huge Market. Once inside, it was absolutely packed, so it was difficult to get to any of the booths to look at things, anyway. I think we've both decided that this would be our last annual trip to this Market! We know that it would be much more relaxing and fun to be driving the back roads, looking for birds and other things to photograph : ) However, for me, the main reason for this day was to spend precious time with my daughter, so it was a good day. Thanks, Rachel!