Today I’m linking up with Courtney from Eat Pray Run, DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What and Mar at Mar on the Run for their Friday Five Link Up! Their topic for this week is all about love so I thought I would share the five things that I love about Calgary.
July will mark the 9 year anniversary of my move from Texas to Calgary. The longest I’ve ever lived in one place before this was the six years I spent in Vancouver during part of high school and university. The heart of the industry that I work in is in Calgary. When I made the decision to move back to Canada Calgary was my best option for career prospects. I never anticipated that Calgary would be the city I would settle down in!
Here are the five things that I love most about my hometown:
1. Chinooks
One of the reasons I wanted to move back to Canada was because I missed the seasons…I missed winter…living in Texas. I had never really experienced a Calgary winter with -20C and below temperatures though! While those temperatures are tough I find the chinooks that blow in help to give us a reprieve from winter from time to time.
you can see the chinook arch in the background
2. The Restaurants
Calgary’s culinary scene has come along way from the dimly lit steakhouses that were where all the business lunches happened in the past. There are beautiful and innovative dishes being cooked at Model Milk. The steakhouse has evolved into a modern space where clean flavours from simple ingredients dominate at CHARCUT. I’m blown away by the bold and amazing flavours at Anju and Raw Bar. Nothing beats a bottle of red wine and the pizza from Una.
a special anniversary menu!
3. The Running & Triathlon Community
When I moved to Calgary I really wasn’t much of a runner and I most definitely wasn’t a triathlete. I feel so lucky to have made some great friends through triathlon. Kelly, Shannon and Tara have become wonderful friends and not just training partners.
in Montana for a training weekend with Tara, Shannon and Kelly
The staff at Tri It make me feel like family.
with Richelle from Tri It
And even though I don’t run a ton of the Calgary Road Runner races the same friendly folks always make me feel welcome.
image via Calgary Road Runners
4. Calgary’s Running Pathways
The pathways along the Bow River or Glenmore Reservoir are some of my favourite spaces in the city.
No matter what time of year I love it out there.
5. Being Close to Banff
Finally, I love being so close to the mountains. Banff is one of my favourite places to ride my bike.
riding past Vermillion Lakes on the Banff Legacy Trail
Or to go for a hike.
hiking up to the Ink Pots
Or to spend a fun weekend away.
We are so lucky to live so close to one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Tell me one thing that you love about the city that you live in!
Leana, I had no idea that you moved to Calgary from Texas; that is wild! These pics are absolutely gorgeous; I’m not sure how I would handle the cold, COLD weather, but it is definitely beautiful there and you make it look lovely. Thanks so much for sharing all of this; hope you have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Tara recently posted…All About Love
Thanks for your comment Tara! I wasn’t sure how I would handle cold winters either but after awhile I got used to things. I think it helps that Calgary is usually really sunny even if it is cold, so that sunshine seems to help things a bit!
Runner Leana recently posted…What’s Cooking 02.22.2015
I’d love to visit Calgary one day! It looks beautiful! I love the mountains that surround my city. (I’m from Utah.)
Whitney recently posted…5 Things I Love about Yoga
Utah is so pretty! I oohed and ahhed as we drove through the state last summer and I can’t wait to explore it more when I run Ragnar Wasatch back this year!
Runner Leana recently posted…What’s Cooking 02.22.2015
I love Calgary for the same reasons! Great post! Although I do think you are a bit crazy for missing winter… I will admit Christmas does seem weird in the heat but I don’t think I would actually miss winter if I moved away from here.
I need to try some of those restaurants- I don’t get out much anymore these days 😉
I wasn’t sure I’d miss winter either but eventually I really did miss the lack of seasons!
Runner Leana recently posted…What’s Cooking 02.22.2015
This post makes me happy. I love hearing such positive things about the city we live in. I’d have to say my top 3 are 1) being so close to my family, 2) so close to the mountains!, and 3) chinooks – what a nice break from the brutal cold
chantel recently posted…Weekend Recap
Yes, yay for chinooks! I can’t believe how great the weather has been here this month…
Runner Leana recently posted…What’s Cooking 02.22.2015
I’ve never been to Canada. Calvary looks beautiful. What an awesome place to live and enjoy the outdoors!
HoHo Runs recently posted…Disney Valentine (Friday Five)
Calgary is definitely a great place to get out and enjoy the outdoors! Have a great week!
Runner Leana recently posted…What’s Cooking 02.22.2015
I have never heard of chinook and I am now intrigued. I’m not sure I would be able to handle the cold there.
One thing I like about our area are the trails. I have a favorite one that is beautiful all year long!
The funny thing about the cold weather is you do sort of wind up getting used to it. You just have to layer really well!
Runner Leana recently posted…What’s Cooking 02.22.2015
wow, thanks for the lesson – i had never heard of the chinook wind before. that is so awesome! i’d love to experience that 🙂
Courtney recently posted…Online Workouts for a Brutal Winter