Lethbridge, Alberta Canada

In all things in life you should expect the unexpected. Journeys especially throw up obstacles and challenges. One of those challenges has occurred with our journey grounding to a halt in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada. Yesterday the RV had to go into the garage for some repairs. Happily the parts needed to fix it arrived today so we should, fingers crossed, be up and running towards Yellowstone tomorrow morning. After leaving Calgary, we noticed the RV was not running well, so after arriving at the Lethbridge Bridgeview RV Campground a decision to see a mechanic was made. The next day due to having to get parts to fix the beast we had to find a place for the night which could also accommodate Mikey the cat.

Airbnb to the rescue

We have used Airbnb both as travellers and hosts for a couple of years and we managed to find a place in Lethbridge which could accommodate all four of us plus Mikey. Thank you Amber and Evan we had a great stay downstairs and enjoyed the conversation and beers. Mikey, also, has now seen the biggest dog in the world to him with your lovely friendly Great Dane and he met his match in cuteness with your cat Penny.

: Studying Mikey our cat

: He was a big doggy

What to do in Lethbridge?

Our mechanical problem meant an unexpected stay in sunny Lethbridge. The city is one of the warmest in Canada and receives 2400 hours of sunshine a year. Due to warm winds or Chinooks, Lethbridge, as many parts of Southern Alberta, can have quite mild winters. There, also, is plenty to do in Lethbridge. The city is home to the longest and highest trestle bridge of its kind in the world. The bridge was built in 1909 and is 96 metres high and 1.6 km long. Under the bridge is the Lethbridge river valley covering an area of 1,600 hectares of different parks and reserves. There, also, are the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Galt Museum and Fort Whoop-Up.

: 1909 Trestle Bridge

: Loved the Cottonwood trees in the valley

Helen Schuler Nature Centre

Today I visited the recently refurbished Helen Schuler Nature Centre. Its staff and volunteers have a wonderful facility with a rooftop garden overlooking the Lethbridge Nature Reserve. I enjoyed feeding the Great Western Toad and seeing Peg Leg – a Crow injured as a baby and living at the centre since 1991. I never knew Crow’s in captivity can live up to 60 years! The Reserve was lovely to walk around with its Cottonwood trees and Oldman River. The Centre is open most days except Monday and admission is by donation.

The valley used to have several coal mines and it is amazing to see how in a few decades nature can recover and thrive.