Bob the Rubber Duck here, bubbling over with excitement to announce the week 33 winner of our GET YOUR BOB ON Contest.
This week’s winning BOBortunity was submitted by Kathy from Alberta, who shared her passion for Bar U Ranch National Historic Site near Longview, Alberta!
Tucked into the rolling foothills along Alberta’s spectacular Cowboy Trail, Bar U Ranch was once the headquarters of one of western Canada’s earliest and longest-running large corporate ranches.
Think open rangeland, winding creeks and magnificent Rocky Mountain views in every direction!
This is the perfect place to trade the bathtub for a saddle and ride straight into Alberta’s ranching history.
Our adventure begins way back in 1882, when the North-West Cattle Company established the ranch under the leadership of Fred Stimson.
Bar U operated continuously as a cattle ranch from 1883 until 1991.
That is more than a century of cattle, cowboys and courageous ranching!
Through changing markets, harsh weather, the Great Depression and the Second World War, Bar U kept right on riding.
In 1902, legendary Alberta cattleman George Lane purchased Bar U Ranch.
Under his direction, it became internationally known for its cattle and magnificent purebred Percheron horses.
Lane was also one of the “Big Four” who helped finance the first Calgary Stampede in 1912, making the ranch an important part of Alberta’s cowboy story.
Although ownership changed over the decades, Bar U remained a working symbol of the determination, skill and innovation that helped shape Canada’s ranching industry.
Its importance was officially recognized in 1989, when Bar U Ranch was designated a National Historic Site.
Kathy says to plan a full day at Bar U Ranch so you can explore some of the 35 historic ranch structures.
It is one of Canada’s largest collections of historic ranch buildings.
Cookhouse, bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, barns, corrals, harness repair shop, tractor shed and root cellar…you name it.
Imagine the cowboys, ranch hands, cooks, blacksmiths and families who worked together to keep this enormous operation running.
There are plenty of ways to get your Bob on while visiting.
You can take a wagon ride pulled by powerful Percheron horses,
….test your cowboy skills with hands-on roping,
….or relax at Roundup Camp with cowboy coffee, bannock, stories, songs and poetry around the fire.
Visitors may also meet the ranch animals and watch interpreters demonstrate the skills needed for daily life on a working ranch.
If you prefer a gentler duck-paddle pace, follow the walking trails along Pekisko Creek and enjoy scenic viewpoints overlooking the foothills.
Bar U Ranch is more than a collection of old buildings.
It is a living celebration of the people, animals and traditions that helped build ranching in Canada.
Whether you come for the horses, cowboy culture, beautiful scenery or fascinating history,
this Alberta treasure offers a BOBortunity to step into the past while creating some unforgettable memories today.
Thank you, Kathy, for submitting Bar U Ranch National Historic Site as our winning Week 33 adventure!
Saddle up, fluff your feathers and remember, my friends: when an exciting BOBortunity comes trotting your way, grab the reins and enjoy the ride!
NEVER MISS A
