Mister Wonder Bread has officially landed in Calgary, Alberta… and that can only mean one thing: the Mini Moto Olympics are in full swing.
We’re talking small pit bikes and wild custom builds getting thrown into a parking lot packed wall-to-wall with orange cones. High-speed weaving, sketchy slides, full-send battles, and the occasional spectacular tip-over. Pure, unfiltered mini moto mayhem.
In between the cone carnage we took a quick detour to the local Show & Shine, where the Calgary crew brought out some seriously unique custom small-bike builds. Creative, weird, and properly cool.
Massive thanks to the local Calgary bike shop for hosting such a fun community day and bringing everyone together.
The full video is up on the KassDays channel now. Come for the chaos, stay for the customs.
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.
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.
A little rain never stopped a good Alberta car show.
The 2025 Diamond Valley Show & Shine went ahead full throttle despite the wet weather, and the streets were still packed with classic cars, hot rods, and custom builds.
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.
Every time I see a photo of Waterton Lakes National Park, it brings back that peaceful feeling. Tucked away in southern Alberta, this place is a true Canadian treasure — dramatic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and trails that make you want to keep exploring forever.
From the moment you arrive, the beauty hits you. The townsite is small and quaint, with a charming village feel — the kind of place where you can stroll along the lake, grab an ice cream, or just sit and watch the water sparkle under the mountains.
Waterton offers something for everyone:
Easy lakeside walks
Challenging mountain hikes with incredible viewpoints
Wildlife viewing (keep your eyes open for bears, deer, and bighorn sheep!)
Boat tours on the famous Upper Waterton Lake
It’s the kind of park where you can truly slow down and breathe.
Must-See Spots in Waterton:
Red Rock Canyon – Short, family-friendly loop with stunning coloured rocks
Bear’s Hump – Short but steep hike with one of the best panoramic views
Cameron Lake – Peaceful spot at the end of the road, perfect for a picnic
Prince of Wales Hotel – Iconic landmark with breathtaking views (great for photos!)
Where to Stay & Camp:
Waterton Townsite Campgrounds – Convenient and scenic (book early in summer!)
Belly River Campground – More rustic and quiet
Hotels & Lodges in the townsite – From cozy cabins to the historic Prince of Wales Hotel
If you’re looking for a peaceful getaway that feels like a real escape, Waterton National Park is hard to beat. It’s smaller than Banff or Jasper, but in my opinion, just as special.
Have you ever visited Waterton? What’s your favourite spot there? Share in the comments — I’d love to hear your stories!
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.
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! 🇨🇦🛣️🌲
