Tallow + Steel

I have enjoyed reading the conversation between Marko and Ryan @ Tallow + Steel.

Hector, I'm glad Canada is basically one big small town once you get out of the Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver megalopolises and the people are generally down to earth, decent folks. We all enjoy simple things like chuck wagon racing - I don't know anybody who has been to the chuck wagon races and not enjoyed themselves. Its like chariot racing on four wheels and a covered wagon. The ultimate pioneer experience

I have visited Toronto and Montreal. Had fun, but I'm a country boy, I enjoy the countryside more than the city.

Thanks Ryan!

Yeah, the chucks are the big draw for sure. Very exciting. If you ever get the chance you need to see the chuck wagon races at a small town venue. The same teams that race at the stampede run at various other small town rodeos throughout the summer racing season and you can get up close and personal at one of those venues in a way thats just not possible at the stampede. We were at the High River rodeo a few years back (week before stampede) and got there early enough to park and set up our lawn chairs right on the rail at the first turn. That is the place to be because after the teams do their figure 8 and load up the camp stove in the infield they all come hell bent for leather trying to be first into the turn #1. When you're standing right on the rail about 3/4 way around the first turn you can look straight down the track and all of the teams are coming full f-ing speed straight at you, horses pulling hard, drivers standing screaming and whipping the reins like maniacs, the thundering hooves and wagons and rigging and outriders and dirt flying as the wagons skew into the turn (you have to cover your beer at this point) is like nothing on earth. It was at that rodeo that my sister-in-law who is a track photographer went on a run with one of the teams in early morning practice and the wagon flipped sending her and the driver hard into the dirt. Driver was fine and the horses too but she broke her shoulder pretty bad. All part of the fun.

Thanks!

Sounds awesome. I was lucky enough to be at the Stampede for work so was allowed unlimited access. We would stand right at the front, and I remember the chucks going by and us getting splashed with a face full of mud . Being able to ride with one of the teams would be great - minus the broken shoulder of course.

I have visited Toronto and Montreal. Had fun, but I'm a country boy, I enjoy the countryside more than the city.

I have explored your part of the world a few times as well. A friend of mine moved to Savannah, what a nice city. One time I went down and we took a trip up through the Carolina's to Virginia to a music festival - beautiful country! The other time was for his wedding in Carrolton, outside Atlanta.

I have visited Toronto and Montreal.  Had fun, but I'm a country boy, I enjoy the countryside more than the city.

I hear you, I prefer the wilderness outdoors to the city and Toronto with a metro are population of 6.324 million is as city as it gets in Canada. If I were to spend much time in any large Canadian city it would be Vancouver.

I have visited Toronto and Montreal.  Had fun, but I'm a country boy, I enjoy the countryside more than the city.

I have explored your part of the world a few times as well.  A friend of mine moved to Savannah, what a nice city.  One time I went down and we took a trip up through the Carolina's to Virginia to a music festival - beautiful country!  The other time was for his wedding in Carrolton, outside Atlanta.

Nice. I live one town over from Carrollton

I have visited Toronto and Montreal.  Had fun, but I'm a country boy, I enjoy the countryside more than the city.

I have explored your part of the world a few times as well.  A friend of mine moved to Savannah, what a nice city.  One time I went down and we took a trip up through the Carolina's to Virginia to a music festival - beautiful country!  The other time was for his wedding in Carrolton, outside Atlanta.

Nice.  I live one town over from Carrollton

Well since I drove from Atlanta to Carrolton on the number 20, it appears that I drove through your town! Small world.

I have explored your part of the world a few times as well.  A friend of mine moved to Savannah, what a nice city.  One time I went down and we took a trip up through the Carolina's to Virginia to a music festival - beautiful country!  The other time was for his wedding in Carrolton, outside Atlanta.

Nice.  I live one town over from Carrollton

Well since I drove from Atlanta to Carrolton on the number 20, it appears that I drove through your town!  Small world.

Yes, you have to go I20 W, so you did

I have visited Toronto and Montreal.  Had fun, but I'm a country boy, I enjoy the countryside more than the city.

I hear you, I prefer the wilderness outdoors to the city and Toronto with a metro are population of 6.324 million is as city as it gets in Canada.  If I were to spend much time in any large Canadian city it would be Vancouver.

Isn't it funny how we each like to live.  I would so choose Toronto or Montréal over small town living.  Vancouver and Victoria are gorgeous, I admit, but they simply do not have the sophistication of the other two.  I wasn't in Québec City long enough but what I saw, I liked.  I have never been to other large Canadian cities like Winnepeg, Calgary, or Edmonton but wonder if they are more like our somewhat larger midwestern cities here in the U.S., which is to say not like our East and West Coast cities.

I have visited Toronto and Montreal.  Had fun, but I'm a country boy, I enjoy the countryside more than the city.

I hear you, I prefer the wilderness outdoors to the city and Toronto with a metro are population of 6.324 million is as city as it gets in Canada.  If I were to spend much time in any large Canadian city it would be Vancouver.

Isn't it funny how we each like to live.  I would so choose Toronto or Montréal over small town living.  Vancouver and Victoria are gorgeous, I admit, but they simply do not have the sophistication of the other two.  I wasn't in Québec City long enough but what I saw, I liked.  I have never been to other large Canadian cities like Winnepeg, Calgary, or Edmonton but wonder if they are more like our somewhat larger midwestern cities here in the U.S., which is to say not like our East and West Coast cities.

What I like in Calgary or Vancouver or Victoria is that the wilderness, mountains, forests, oceans etc are right there. You can see them and be in them miles from anybody in minutes. Toronto and Montreal are just unending urban sprawl, crumbling old cities. They do have their attraction to be sure but I can only take so much before I need mountains and forests to feed my soul. Obviously lots of people enjoy the big cities and that's fine with me. I've not spent much time in any Midwestern cities so I couldn't compare. I have a sister that lives in Rochester, Minnesota. Maybe I should visit her and see?