Crossfield Elks Demolition Derby — Warm Day, Busy Pit, Good Chaos

 

 

A couple of months back I headed up to the Crossfield Rodeo Grounds for the annual Crossfield Elks #416 Demolition Derby. It was a proper late-summer day — warm, dry, and clear — and the place was packed. Tents lined the edge of the pit, the crowd was thick along the barriers, and the cars were already looking thoroughly used before the heats even really got going.

The photo shows one of the full-size entries sitting in the dirt under the red-and-white tents, with the usual mix of spectators, high-vis volunteers, and the general dusty energy that comes with a local demo derby. Heats included the usual small-car and large-car action, plus the side events that make these things fun: lawnmower racing and the human mud race that closed things out. One car even ended up on its roof — the kind of moment that gets the whole crowd leaning in.

All proceeds go back into the Crossfield community (youth programs, scholarships, local causes), which is part of what keeps the event feeling like a proper small-town day rather than just a demolition show. It was busy, loud, and exactly the kind of unscripted local motorsport that makes the drive north of Calgary worthwhile.

I’ve got a short clip from trackside in this post, plus the full walkthrough video on the KassDays channel if you want the longer version of the hits, steam, and mud: https://youtu.be/PX5NcGl9LlY

If you’ve been to the Crossfield derby (or any of the other local ones), what’s the best hit or side event you’ve seen? Drop it in the comments.

Pumpkins After Dark at Canada Olympic Park – KassDays Walk-Through

KassDays went out to Pumpkins After Dark at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park to film the Calgary show. What we found was a self-paced outdoor walk lined with thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, lit from inside and set into themed displays along roughly a one-kilometre route.

The displays mix classic Halloween figures with larger scenes—dinosaurs, dragons, pop-culture pieces, and a few oversized photo spots, including a pumpkin throne that saw plenty of people stopping for pictures. Lighting and sound run along the path, but the event stays deliberately family-friendly: no jump scares, no actors waiting in the dark. Live pumpkin-carving demos happen near the entrance, and food trucks are on site if you want something seasonal while you walk.

Most people take one to two hours to move through at their own speed. Parking is free, and tickets are sold by timed entry, so booking ahead is the safer play on busier nights. The show runs on select evenings from late September through October 31.

It made for a straightforward, photogenic night out—creative enough to hold attention, calm enough for mixed groups, and easy to recommend if you want something festive without the haunted-house volume. The full walk-through is up on the KassDays YouTube channel.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/ntSrhH1RBlA  

More details and tickets: calgary.pumpkinsafterdark.com

All Through the House in Okotoks — A Packed Antique Stop

This Video will not go Live until October 28th, I pegged the wrong video, sorry for the confusion.

Drive around behind the Okotoks Cinemas (enter off North Railway Street) and you reach All Through the House. From the outside it already looks the part: weathered wood, string lights, flower barrels, and the big antiques sign. Inside is a tightly packed warehouse of vendors and shelves that take real time to work through.

Narrow aisles hold unique vintage items, old advertising, rare collectibles, glowing uranium glassware, classic jukeboxes, and an unusual vintage taxi phone. Outside you’ll find old AGT and Telus pay phones mixed in with the salvage. It’s the kind of place where one aisle leads to another and you keep finding things you didn’t know you were looking for.

The shop runs with over fifty in-house vendors offering antiques, vintage, rustic, retro, and up-cycled pieces. There’s a large hardware section, Fusion Mineral Paint, barnwood, and a yard full of doors, windows, wagons, and rusty treasures. Workshops and seasonal markets are part of the regular calendar.

Full walkthrough is on the KassDays channel: https://youtu.be/5M4A_xTzjVY

Address is Bldg 185, 100 Stockton Avenue, Okotoks. Hours are generally 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily — check ahead for holidays. Easy stop if you’re anywhere near Okotoks and in the mood for a dig.

See you on the road.  

Kass  

KassDays

Forgetmenot Pond, Before the Crowd

A quiet morning in Kananaskis, and a photo I am keeping my name on

The name on this photo is Magdelene, the editor of this page and the photograper. That may look odd on this page. It is still my picture. I took it yesterday at Forgetmenot Pond, and I put the text there because I am tired of pretty places being lifted and reposted as if the camera belonged to someone else. The file has been through a few saves, so it is a little softer than the original. The pond does not mind.

Forgetmenot sits at the end of Highway 66, in the Little Elbow day-use area of Kananaskis Country. On a still morning the mountains come down into the water in one piece. Grey rock, a dark band of spruce, then the reflection, clean enough that you can pick out the same peak twice. A spruce frames the left side. Two stones break the surface on the right. The near shore is gravel and dry grass, and that is where I was standing.

It is not a hard walk. The path around the pond is short, partly paved, and busy on a fine weekend. The trick is not distance. It is timing, and not stopping at the first gap in the trees. Go when the lot is thin. Walk past the first picnic table. Stand long enough for the wind to drop. The reflection only holds when the water is left alone, and the water is only left alone when most people are still on the road.

I like these places best then. Not empty, exactly. Just unclaimed for an hour. The peaks across the Elbow Valley do the same thing whether anyone is there to see them. Being there early, and walking the extra few minutes to the open shore, is the whole method. Laziness gets you the parking-lot view. The parking-lot view does not get you this.

Kananaskis rewards that small effort over and over. A side path, a weekday, a camera kept in the bag until the frame is right. Yesterday the pond paid it back in full: blue sky, a doubled mountain, and enough quiet to hear the gravel underfoot.

The caption stays. The morning was mine.

Night Glow in High River | Roaring Burners on the Field

The Friday night Balloon Glow at the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival does not launch. The balloons stay on the ground at the Wallaceville site in High River, tethered, and the burners do the work.

Crews start with cold-air fans, walk the envelopes open, then fire the burners until the baskets tip upright. The field stays closed while that happens. Once the lines are clear, the barriers come down and you walk in among them. On a cool September night the heat off the baskets is real, and when several burners hit at once the sound is closer to a dragon than a propane torch.

Pilots come from across Canada, the northern U.S., and further. The Glow itself is free, no ticket, usually Friday evening. Flight days around it are weather-dependent. Check heritageinninternationalballoonfestival.com before you drive.

The walk-through, from the fan start to the raw burner audio once the crowd is on the field, is up on the KassDays channel:

Balloon Glow High River

High River is a short run south of Calgary. Get there before the barriers drop if you want to watch the uprighting.

See you on the road.  
Kass

 

Sunday Best on Four Wheels: A Horse Buggy at Pioneer Acres

This one sat inside at Pioneer Acres Museum, north of Irricana, among the other horse-drawn pieces. It is a buggy, yes — but not the kind you took to the field. Look at the button-tufted green velvet, the fringe on the canopy, the side lamp, the black paint and the fine wheels. That was town clothes. Somebody paid for this.

On the prairie around 1890 to 1915, most families had a work wagon. Straight seats, no top worth mentioning, built to haul grain, kids, and cream cans. A rig like this lived in a different category. Carriage shops sold canopy-top buggies and light phaetons to doctors, merchants, and farm families who wanted to arrive at church looking like they meant it. Velvet upholstery, a fringe top, and lamps were extras. A plain buggy might run seventy-five to a hundred and fifty dollars. Dress it up like this and you were looking at two hundred and fifty to five hundred — more if it came from a better maker. That was serious money when a good farmhand made a dollar a day.

The layout is the giveaway. Smaller wheels in front for turning, big wheels in back for the road. A driver’s place up front. A deep, sprung passenger seat under the canopy. The top kept the sun and a light rain off. The lamp was for coming home after dark. This was not a threshing-crew wagon. This was the vehicle you polished on Saturday night.

Pioneer Acres keeps a lot of that world in one place: steam engines, trucks, the blacksmith and wheelwright shops, the Red Barn with horse-drawn gear, and buildings full of the smaller stuff people actually lived with. The annual show puts some of it back to work. This buggy stays indoors, which is the right call. Velvet and fringe do not last long in an Alberta August.

You can still get a wagon ride around the grounds when they have the horses out. That ride is the working cousin of this one. This one is the cousin that stayed home and got the good seat.

If you like the treasures from before the car took over the yard, Pioneer Acres is worth the drive. Walk the buildings. Read the plaques. This buggy is one of the quiet ones — and one of the expensive ones.

A different buggy to check out: Yes — this one is the workaday cousin of the green velvet carriage.

It is a single-horse canopy-top buggy, the kind most prairie families actually owned if they owned anything nicer than a farm wagon. Black body, black tufted seat, red-spoke wheels, shafts out front for one horse, and a simple canopy with a green underside. No fringe, no fancy lamps, no deep Sunday-best velvet. That is the point.

Shops sold these by the tens of thousands around 1890–1915. A plain open buggy might be $50 to $100. Add a canopy and you were often in the $100 to $175 range — still a stretch for some farms, but nowhere near the cost of that other rig. Doctors, preachers, and town people liked them because they were light, turned easy, and kept the weather off without looking like a parade float.

Same building at Pioneer Acres. Same era. Different budget. The little red tricycle in front of it is a nice accident in the photo — the next generation of “something to ride.”
 

Leitch Collieries Ruins: Alberta Ghost Town History on the Crowsnest Highway

 

 

If you are searching for Alberta ghost towns, abandoned coal mines, or an easy Crowsnest Pass road trip stop, Leitch Collieries Provincial Historic Site is one of the best pulls off Highway 3.

The ruins sit at the east entrance to the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, between Burmis and Bellevue, just a few minutes from Frank Slide. From the highway you see the stone shell of the mine manager’s house first. Thick sandstone walls. Empty arched windows. Concrete piers holding up a building that lost its roof more than a century ago.

This was not a small prospect hole. Leitch Collieries Coal and Coke Company opened in 1907 as the only fully Canadian-owned and operated coal mine in the Pass. The plan was simple and huge: mine the seams north of Police Flats, wash and sort the coal, load it onto the Canadian Pacific Railway, and turn part of it into coke. They built a powerhouse, a tall washery, a tipple, and a row of 101 coke ovens. Passburg grew beside the works with a post office, school, hotel, and a few hundred people.

The fortune never arrived. The coal did not coke well. A long strike in 1911 cost them customers. World War I cut markets and money. The banks closed in. A last sale fell apart when the buyer died. Production stopped around 1915. Houses from Passburg were moved to Bellevue. Scrap metal left during the Second World War. The stone stayed.

Today the site is a self-guided walk through Alberta coal mining history. Paths lead past the powerhouse ruins, the coke-oven line, the old washery foundations, and that manager’s house. Interpretive plaques tell the story. Listening posts play recorded voices from miners and managers who lived it. A full loop takes about an hour.

 How to visit Leitch Collieries

• Location: north side of Highway 3, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
• Pair it with Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, Bellevue, Blairmore, Coleman, or Lundbreck Falls
• Parking lot is large enough for trucks and RVs
• Admission by donation in summer
• Washrooms and picnic tables mid-May to Labour Day
• Dogs welcome; off-leash area on site
• Gravel paths, mostly easy walking
• Check Crowsnest Pass weather before you go. It changes fast.

New KassDays video on this stop is Live:

I Thought I Had My Fortune Made | Exploring Leitch Collieries Ruins (Southern Alberta)
https://youtu.be/T-_8R5Wx0QI

If you are mapping Alberta abandoned places, Crowsnest Pass ghost towns, or Highway 3 history stops between Lethbridge and Fernie, put Leitch Collieries on the list. It is one of those roadside ruins that looks small from the truck and then holds you for an hour.

Kass
KassDays

Golden Eagle | Still Here Still Standing | What It Means

 

Still here. Still standing.

This golden eagle was at the Millarville Priddis Fair a month or so ago, brought by the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation. He sat on a perch a few feet from the crowd — dark feathers, gold at the nape, yellow feet wrapped around a wooden bar, a leather jess on one leg. People stopped. Kids stared. He watched them the way eagles do: calm, unblinking, already having survived worse than a fairground.

The Foundation takes in injured raptors. Some heal and go back to the sky. Others cannot. A wing that will never carry them far enough. An injury that would mean a slow death in the wild. Those birds stay. Not as trophies. As teachers. As proof that life does not end when the original plan does.

Captivity is not always a cage. Sometimes it is the only door left open. That is not failure. That is someone refusing to walk away.

The same is true for people. You lose a job, a partnership, a version of yourself you thought was permanent. You do not get the clean ending you wanted. You get what is left — and you either sit down in it or you keep moving with the tools you still have. Resilience is not pretending nothing broke. It is using what remains.

True compassion does not keep a ledger. The people who feed this eagle, check his weight, travel with him to fairs so a child can see a golden eagle up close — they do not get a thank-you from the bird. They do it anyway. That is the point.

 

Whether you are a bird that will never hunt over the foothills again, or a person who had to start over with less than you planned, the work is the same: do not give up on the life that is still in front of you.

Watch the clip. Then, if you can, look up the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation. They have been doing this work for decades, expecting nothing back except the chance to keep one more bird alive.

Kass
KassDays

 

Standing Face-to-Face with a Giant at the Reynold Museum in Wetaskiwin

The 1929 Bucyrus-Erie 200-B at Reynolds Museum

There’s something special about rolling through the outdoor grounds of the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin in an old classic car, the driver pointing out machines that once moved mountains of earth. On that driven tour you come around a bend and suddenly there it is — the 1929 Bucyrus-Erie 200-B stripping shovel. Yellow and red, weather-worn, towering over the prairie grass. Even from a distance it feels enormous. Up close it is almost unbelievable.

This is no ordinary piece of old equipment. The 200-B is a stripping shovel, designed to sit on top of a coal seam and peel away the rock and soil so the coal below could be reached. Built in 1929 by Bucyrus-Erie, only a handful of these machines were ever made, and this one is the last remaining example of the four that once operated in North America. That alone makes it a rare survivor.

It started its working life in the United States, then made its way north in the early 1950s from a mine in Colstrip, Montana. Once in Alberta it spent the rest of its career at the Roselyn Mine (sometimes called the Sheerness or Western Dominion Mine) southeast of Hanna. Originally it travelled on railway tracks laid along the coal seam. Later it was converted to the crawler tracks you see today, giving it more freedom to move. Powered by electricity, it needed a long trailing cable and a portable transformer that had to be relocated whenever the machine reached the end of its reach.

At roughly 335 tonnes and capable of taking a five-cubic-metre bite with each pass, the 200-B was actually considered one of the smaller stripping shovels of its era. Standing beside it, “small” is not the word that comes to mind. The house alone is the size of a small building, the boom reaches high into the Alberta sky, and the whole machine still radiates the quiet authority of something built to work hard for decades.

Seeing it from the seat of a classic car on the museum’s driven tour makes the experience even better. You’re not just looking at a static display — you’re rolling past living industrial history on the same grounds where these giants now rest. The Reynolds Museum has collected an impressive outdoor coal-mining exhibit, and the 200-B is one of its true stars.

Next time you’re in the Wetaskiwin area, take the tour if you can. There’s nothing quite like looking up at a nearly century-old machine that once carved its way through the prairie and realizing just how much power and ingenuity went into keeping Alberta’s coal mines running. The 200-B may no longer dig, but it still commands attention — a yellow-and-red reminder of the days when machines this big truly ruled the landscape.

Show Dogs & That Dog-Show Feeling

AKC Dog Show in Okotoks Alberta

I’ve been going to dog shows for years now. Not every single one — life doesn’t always line up that way — but enough that the sound of barking in the distance, the smell of fresh grass mixed with a little bit of rain, and the sight of a perfectly groomed dog trotting around the ring still make me smile every time.

That is me, quite a few years back with my Greyhound Fancy in the picture here, btw. 

I don’t even have a dog of my own right now. That doesn’t mean I love them any less. There’s just something special about watching these beautiful purebreds do what they do best. Maybe one day I’ll have one again. Here’s hoping. I’ll know when the moment is right, I suppose.

In the meantime, I get to share the next best thing with you.

This afternoon, a brand-new video goes live on the KassDays channel:
Storms & Show Dogs! 🌩️🐕 Inside an Outdoor Champion Dog Show

It’s all about the 2025 Alberta Kennel Club Summer Classic in Okotoks — one of those classic outdoor long-weekend events that somehow manages to feel both big and hometown at the same time. There were storms, there was sunshine, there was high-flying agility, sleek conformation rings, and a whole lot of gorgeous dogs (yes, including plenty of those impressive Great Danes that have been showing up more and more these days).

I got to be ringside for some of it, and this video captures that pure dog-show energy in 4K. Whether you’re a longtime show-goer like me or just someone who simply loves looking at beautiful dogs, I think you’re going to enjoy it.

See you at the Dog Show. And who knows… maybe one of these days I’ll be the one walking into the ring with a four-legged friend of my own again.

Until then,
Kass

Classic Car Show | Show & Shine or Show & RAIN? Diamond Valley Alberta

 

 

Rain or shine, the show goes on — and the Diamond Valley Car Show proved it in style!

We headed to Diamond Valley for what was supposed to be a perfect “Show & Shine,” but Mother Nature had other plans. Instead of bright sunshine, we got umbrellas, raindrops, and one of the most fun, resilient car gatherings we’ve filmed.

Even with wet weather, the turnout was fantastic. Classic muscle cars, custom builds, and beautifully restored rides lined the streets while dedicated owners refused to let a little rain dampen their day. The community spirit was unstoppable.

In this video we take you along for the full experience: dodging rain while checking out stunning local vehicles, chatting with proud owners, and witnessing firsthand why Alberta car enthusiasts are some of the toughest (and friendliest) around.

Whether the sky is blue or grey, the passion for classics never fades.

Watch the full video now on the KassDays YouTube channel.

Have you ever braved the weather for a car show? Share your stories in the comments!

Stay tuned for more Alberta car adventures, shop tours, and real-world car content right here on KassDays.blogspot.

Thanks for riding along with us! 🚗☔

 

Discovering the Road Less Traveled(North of 60)

Discovering the Road Less Traveled: 1,350 KM Through Remote Northern Wilderness (North of 60)

Summer is the perfect time to get out and explore. With longer days, warmer weather, and the call of the open road, there’s no better season to escape the crowds and immerse yourself in Canada’s incredible natural landscapes. If you’re someone who prefers quiet highways, changing scenery, and the freedom of the road over busy tourist spots, this video is pure inspiration.

In the final episode of our Alaska Adventure series, we tackle the long haul home — 1,350 KM from Hay River in the Northwest Territories back to Calgary, Alberta. Crossing “North of 60” marks the official return to Alberta, and the journey beautifully captures the dramatic shift from rugged northern boreal forest to the vast, rolling Canadian prairies.

Along the way you’ll see:

• Late-season northern bridge construction and vibrant fall colours still lingering in the north
• The shores of Lesser Slave Lake
• A welcome return to “civilization” with a rare hotel night in Slave Lake
• Highway 2 (the QE2) slicing through central Alberta
• A nostalgic drive through Red Deer, a former hometown

This drive isn’t just about covering distance — it’s about witnessing how quickly the Canadian landscape transforms. One moment you’re surrounded by dense wilderness and remote beauty; the next, golden fields and familiar prairie skies stretch out ahead. It’s a reminder of just how much incredible nature is accessible right here in Western Canada if you’re willing to get out there and explore.

Whether you’re planning your own northern road trip, dreaming of a future adventure, or just love scenic driving content, this video delivers that peaceful, immersive feel of being on the open road. No packed parking lots, no lines — just you, the vehicle, and the ever-changing wilderness.

Watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/F82ktlAERiI

Missed the rest of the Alaska series? Catch the complete playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNGeTqmHL_od2QehSKNrOTn_bFJOZIBW-

This summer, make time to explore what’s accessible to you. Whether it’s a short day trip into the mountains, a weekend campout, or a big multi-day road journey like this one — getting out into nature is one of the best ways to recharge and appreciate where we live.

Have you ever done a long northern road trip? What’s the most memorable drive you’ve taken in Canada? Drop your stories in the comments — I’d love to hear them!

Thanks for reading and for supporting KassDays. Safe travels, stay curious, and keep exploring! 🇨🇦🛣️🌲

Canada Day in Millarville: Small-Town Alberta at Its Finest

By KassDays | July 2, 2026

Yesterday, under wide Alberta skies and towering white clouds, I spent Canada Day exactly where I wanted to be — at the Millarville Racetrack.

What started as a small, charming parade quickly set the tone for a perfect day of racing. A beautiful covered wagon pulled by a strong team of black horses rolled along the dirt track, carrying waving passengers dressed for the occasion. Right behind them, riders proudly carried large Canadian flags that snapped in the breeze. The grandstands and fences were lined with red and white, and you could feel the patriotic pride in the air.

Millarville has a way of doing things right. This isn’t a big commercial event — it’s the real deal. A genuine small-town gathering where families, neighbours, and horse enthusiasts come together to celebrate Canada Day the old-fashioned way.

The racing card featured a wonderful variety of events. We watched everything from stock horse racing to fast quarter horse sprints with brightly silked jockeys leaning low over their powerful mounts. There was also pack horse racing, side saddle classes, and several other traditional and exciting formats that showcased both the skill of the riders and the heart of the horses.

The atmosphere was pure summer joy. Kids in cowboy hats, folks cheering from the bleachers, the sound of thundering hooves kicking up dust, and that unmistakable smell of a working racetrack on a sunny July day. An ambulance stood by, volunteers kept things running smoothly, and everyone seemed to be soaking in the moment.

Standing there with my camera, watching the covered wagon make its way past the crowd and the flags waving against that massive prairie sky, I was reminded why I love these local celebrations so much. They’re not flashy or overproduced — they’re honest, heartfelt, and full of community spirit.

Canada Day in Millarville isn’t just about horse racing. It’s about tradition, freedom, and the simple pleasure of spending a beautiful day outdoors with good people.

If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend making the trip. You won’t find a better way to celebrate Canada Day in Alberta.

Until next time — keep chasing those small-town adventures.

— Kass

 

Horses and the Lord Strathcona Musical Ride

 

 

Hey friends! A brand-new YouTube Short gallops your way — full of thundering hooves, shiny cavalry, and pure Canadian pride from Lord Strathcona’s Horse!

Catch the Short, then watch the full cozy 4K story that’s already waiting for you: Lord Strathcona’s Horse: The Epic Story of Canada’s Victoria Cross (4K)Horses, history, bravery, and beautiful Alberta scenery — it’s the perfect little escape!Drop by, watch, and tell us in the comments what you loved most. 

 

Thanks for visiting KassDays! 

Your support keeps these stories alive.  

KassDays  

Sheep River Falls Kananaskis Country

Sheep River Falls: A Stunning Hidden Gem in Kananaskis Country 

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Sheep River Falls in Sheep River Provincial Park, and the beauty of this place is absolutely breathtaking.

Nestled in the heart of Kananaskis Country, the Sheep River tumbles powerfully through a rocky canyon, creating dramatic cascades and churning whitewater that you can feel in your chest. The short, easy trail from the day-use area leads you right to fantastic viewpoints on the rocky ledges — perfect for photos, quiet reflection, or just soaking in the roar of the water surrounded by towering evergreens and mountain vistas.

It’s one of those accessible yet wild spots that makes Kananaskis so special. Whether you’re hiking, picnicking, or just stopping for a break, the scenery delivers every time.

Important safety note: This is prime wildlife habitat. Always stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Bighorn sheep, bears, elk, deer, and other animals call this area home. Keep a safe distance, never feed wildlife, and make noise on the trails so you don’t surprise any critters.

A perfect quick escape from Calgary (about an hour’s drive) that feels a world away. Highly recommend adding Sheep River Falls to your summer list!

Who else has explored this beautiful spot? Drop your favourite Kananaskis memories below! 

 

Travel from the NWT to Calgary Alberta

Driving Hay River NWT to Calgary Alberta in One Day – Is It Doable?

If you’ve been following along, you know I recently made the big trek up north. In this video it was time for the long haul home — Hay River, Northwest Territories back to Calgary, Alberta in a single day.

The numbers:Distance: Roughly 1,350 km (about 839 miles) 
Driving time: 13 to 15+ hours depending on stops, weather, and road conditions 
Route: South on NWT Highway 1 → Alberta Highway 35 → High Level → Peace River area → Valleyview or Slave Lake route → Edmonton corridor → south on Highway 2 to Calgary 
 
It’s a serious full-day grind (think wheels rolling before sunrise and pulling into Calgary late at night). Long stretches of remote highway with limited services, so fuel planning and snacks are a must.

Best places to stop and stretch on the way south:Twin Falls Gorge Territorial Park (Alexandra & Louise Falls) – One of the best early stops in the NWT. Easy trails, powerful waterfalls, and a great spot for photos. 
High Level, Alberta – Good fuel and food options after crossing back into Alberta. 
Peace River – Nice little town with services and a good break point. 
Slave Lake or Whitecourt – Depending on your route, these make solid lunch or coffee stops. 
Edmonton area – Quick resupply if needed, but if you’re pushing straight through, you can skirt around. 
 
The drive starts wild and remote with boreal forest and possible wildlife, then opens up into the prairies the further south you get.I filmed the northbound leg (and some northern adventures) in a video that somehow never got properly pushed by YouTube. Even Gemini couldn’t figure out why it disappeared into the algorithm black hole. 

If you haven’t seen it yet, here it is: Full Video Here 

The return drive is just as epic in its own way — going from the “Hub of the North” back home to the Rockies. Would I do it in one day again? Probably… but I’d definitely plan a couple overnight stops next time for maximum enjoyment.

Who else has made this monster drive? What were your must-stop spots or survival tips? Drop them in the comments Thanks for supporting KassDays — every bit helps me keep these road trips and videos coming!

Safe travels, 
— Kass

Calgary’s Best Imports Shine at the European Car Show

If you think “import cars” means boring showroom stock, think again! In this latest KassDays Short, we spotlight some of the most exciting and unique European rides turning heads in Calgary. From rare classics to wild custom builds, the local import scene is full of personality and passion.

One standout in the clip is the wild Volkswagen Golf Harlequin — that iconic multicolored hatchback that brings instant fun and nostalgia wherever it goes. These aren’t your average daily drivers; they’re enthusiast-built machines that celebrate European engineering with plenty of flair.

The short gives a quick, energetic taste of the full 4K European Car Show in Calgary. If you love Alfa Romeos, quirky VWs, and other standout imports, you’ll want to check out the complete video for more detailed looks and stories behind the cars.

Calgary’s car community continues to prove that imports can be every bit as cool, creative, and eye-catching as their domestic cousins.Watch the Short here: [Insert YouTube Short link] 
Full Show: Extended Version Here 

What’s your favourite European car you’ve seen at a local show? Drop it in the comments!  

Tyra the T-Rex: Drumheller’s Iconic World’s Largest Dinosaur

Tyra the T-Rex: Drumheller’s Iconic World’s Largest Dinosaur and the Roar of Alberta’s Dinosaur Capital

If you’ve ever rolled into Drumheller, Alberta, along Highway 9 or the Red Deer River valley, you’ve probably done a double-take at the massive blue-and-yellow T. rex looming over the skyline. That’s Tyra, the World’s Largest Dinosaur—an 86-foot (25-metre) tall, 65-tonne fiberglass-and-steel giant that has become one of the most photographed roadside attractions in Canada.  
worldslargestdinosaur.com 
 
The photo I snapped captures her perfectly: jaws wide open in a perpetual roar, standing tall against the prairie sky with the Canadian flag, Alberta flag, and Drumheller’s own banner waving proudly nearby. She’s not just a statue—she’s a symbol of everything that makes Drumheller the Dinosaur Capital of the World.

A Prehistoric Landmark Built for Wonder

Tyra was erected in 2000 right in downtown Drumheller (at 60 1 Avenue West, next to the visitor information centre and gift shop). She’s officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest dinosaur statue on the planet—more than four times the size of a real Tyrannosaurus rex. Inside, 106 stairs wind up through her belly, lined with murals, leading to an observation platform in her mouth where you can gaze out over the stunning Canadian Badlands.  

She draws around 150,000 visitors a year. Families climb her, road-trippers pose for photos, and dinosaur lovers from around the globe make the pilgrimage. Tyra isn’t just big—she’s interactive, fun, and impossible to miss.

Drumheller’s Deep Love for Dino History

This isn’t some random roadside gimmick. Drumheller sits in the heart of the Badlands, where ancient riverbeds and eroded hoodoos have revealed one of the richest dinosaur fossil beds on Earth. The area is world-famous for Late Cretaceous treasures—think T. rex, Triceratops, and Hadrosaurs that roamed here 65–75 million years ago.

Just down the road is the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, one of the top dinosaur museums anywhere, with over 160,000 fossils and incredible exhibits. The town itself is dotted with more than 30 life-sized dinosaur sculptures (maintained by the dedicated Drumheller DinoArts Society), turning every street corner into a prehistoric playground.  

 
Tyra ties it all together. She welcomes you to “Dinosaur Country,” where science, tourism, and small-town Alberta charm collide. The Badlands hiking trails, fossil digs, and that unmistakable Drumheller vibe make this place a bucket-list stop for anyone who ever loved Jurassic Park or dreamed of digging up bones as a kid.

An Uncertain Future for a Beloved Landmark

Here’s the part that’s got locals and visitors talking: Tyra’s future is under review. Owned by the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce (with the land leased from the Town of Drumheller), her current lease ends in December 2029. The Chamber has stated that, due to high maintenance costs and a strategic planning shift, Tyra and the attached visitor centre/gift shop will be decommissioned at that time.  
 
A recent independent structural assessment (completed in late 2025) confirmed she’s still structurally sound and safe for public use, with a clear maintenance plan through 2029. Initial repairs are estimated at around $154,000, followed by ongoing costs in the hundreds of thousands over the coming years.  
 
The announcement sparked real community passion. Mayor Heather Colberg and residents were shocked; a “Save Tyra” petition quickly gathered over 21,000 signatures. People are rallying to find solutions—whether that’s new ownership, continued town support, or another creative path forward. The Chamber has said relocation isn’t currently on the table (moving a 65-tonne, 86-foot statue is no small feat), but safety inspections and regular upkeep will continue until the lease ends.  
 
Why Tyra Matters—and Why You Should Visit Soon

Tyra isn’t just steel and fiberglass. She represents Drumheller’s identity, its economic heartbeat, and that pure joy of discovery that draws people to the Badlands. In a town where dinosaurs are literally part of the landscape, she stands as the ultimate welcome sign.

Whether she stays forever or her story takes a new turn after 2029, one thing is certain: the love for dinosaur history in Drumheller runs deeper than the Red Deer River. The Royal Tyrrell Museum, the smaller dino statues, the fossil-rich trails—they’re all still here, roaring strong.

If you’re road-tripping through Alberta, make Drumheller a must-stop. Climb inside Tyra while you still can, snap that classic photo, and soak in the prehistoric magic. She’s a big draw for a reason—and a perfect reminder that some legends are larger than life.

Have you climbed Tyra or explored Drumheller’s Badlands? Drop your stories in the comments below. And keep an eye on Kass Days for more Alberta adventures—we’ll be following Tyra’s story closely.

Safe travels, and long live the dinosaurs! — Kass Days 
kassdays.blogspot.com 
Exploring Canada’s hidden corners, one epic stop at a time. 

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The Custom Car Scene in Calgary is Buzzing

The custom car scene in Calgary is buzzing with builders who pour serious effort into mods that make their rides stand out—bold interiors, wild wraps, performance upgrades, and one-of-a-kind details that scream personality. If you've got a heavily modified vehicle and you're craving that spotlight, appreciation from fellow enthusiasts, and maybe even some awards, getting your car into a local show is a game-changer.

A prime example? Check out the latest YouTube Short from @KassDays, filmed at a recent Calgary car show. It spotlights a genius-level custom interior: a grippy yellow-and-black steering wheel wrap with textured, race-inspired accents; red-and-black seats featuring tool graphics (hammers, wrenches) for that authentic garage vibe; dash-top model cars for fun flair; and exotic purple rides gleaming in the background. Captions say it all: "YOU WON'T FIND THESE AT A DEALERSHIP!" and "These Car Mods are GENIUS!" Builds like this thrive at shows where owners get the recognition they deserve.

So, how do you get your modded ride featured and appreciated at a Calgary event? It starts with research and registration—most major shows require pre-entry, photos, and sometimes approval to ensure quality and fit.

Popular spots include:Calgary World of Wheels (Autorama event, March 27–29, 2026 at BMO Centre): One of the biggest for customs, hot rods, and trucks. Download the vehicle entry form from autorama.com/entry-forms/calgary-ab, fill it out, attach photos, and submit. Entries get reviewed for standout mods—perfect for wild interiors or full builds. 
DRIVEN Calgary (Aftermarket-focused, e.g., May 2, 2026 at Olympic Oval): All vehicles pre-register at drivenshow.ca. They're screened for competition eligibility—great for performance-oriented customs. Expect hundreds of show cars vying for attention. 
Speed & Customs Show: Submit via speedandcustoms.com/vehicle-registration. They review for rare, unique, exceptionally modified rides—ideal if your build is next-level. 
Sheni's Eurofest or similar meets: Often simpler applications with fees (e.g., $25), focusing on mods like interior/exterior changes, engine work, or suspension. 
 
Tips to boost your chances: Clean your car spotless (inside and out), capture killer photos showing off your mods, and highlight what makes it unique (e.g., custom steering, tool-themed seats). Many shows have limited spots, so apply early—some offer acceptance posters or judging categories for extra shine.

Getting featured means your hard work gets the props it deserves: crowds checking it out, photos snapped, stories shared, and that rush of validation from the community. Calgary's scene loves celebrating builders who go beyond stock.

Watch the Short for inspiration https://youtube.com/shorts/X2fpms_Gx0c. Got a killer build? Hit up these events—your mods could be the next genius spotlighted on KassDays!

Stay locked to kassdays.com for more Calgary car culture, vlogs, and tips on showing off your ride. Keep wrenching!

 

DIY Coffee Machine Rescue: Beat the "Empty Tank" Error

 

DIY Coffee Machine Rescue: Beat the "Empty Tank" Error on Your DeLonghi Eletta Explore Without Spending a Fortune

Picture this: Your DeLonghi Eletta Explore is still churning out rich espresso and creamy cappuccinos, but suddenly it refuses to brew because it insists the water tank is empty—when it's clearly full. Sound familiar? This sneaky "empty tank" error is one of the most frustrating (and common) issues with DeLonghi super-automatic machines. Left unchecked, it can dry-run the pump and lead to serious (and expensive) damage.

I faced the same headache and refused to let it force me into buying a new machine or paying hundreds for a service call. After digging through forums, YouTube teardowns, and troubleshooting guides, the root cause pointed straight to a faulty or stuck water tank float sensor—the little mechanism that tells the machine the tank level.

The fix? A straightforward DIY replacement or adjustment of the float/magnet assembly. I grabbed a compatible part for around $60 (way cheaper than a new tank or pro repair), followed simple steps to access and swap it, and boom—back to perfect pulls in under an hour. No advanced skills needed, just patience and basic tools.

In this KassDays YouTube Short, I break down the exact process so you can diagnose and fix it yourself before the problem escalates.Watch the demo here: https://youtu.be/Bnrv5um-MS4?si=5pMzhgZ8yxpPW9CZ

Don't let a silly sensor glitch ruin your home barista setup. With online resources and a bit of elbow grease, most DeLonghi owners can save big on these common glitches. Head over to @kassdays on YouTube for more appliance hacks, coffee tips, and real-life fixes. Brew on—and save that cash for better beans!