18 Kilometers Up and Over $10,000 Raised!

After a wonderful breakfast at Delta Sun Peaks Resort, we said our good byes and began our journey to Banff. We participated in a 5 km hike and trail clean up on Tunnel Mountain. After spending the weekend at home in Calgary, Suzanne and I made our way to the beautiful Delta Lodge at Kananaskis.

I woke up on Monday morning holding my fingers crossed as the weatherman had predicted cool and rainy weather for the day. I looked out the window and not to my surprise, the reporter was right. After indulging in a 3-egg omelet breakfast I was ready to take on the damp trails of Ribbon Creek. Suzanne, myself and a group of eager and determined hikers made sure our boots were tight as we embarked into the woods leaving the trail head in the distance. We witnessed many spectacular views as the summer run off from the mountains filled the river beside us with intense rapids. As we climbed towards the top of the trail sweating and short of breath, we could hear the waterfall in the distance. As we approached, the air was filled with cold mountain mist and a sound as loud as thunder could be heard. We had finally made it to our destination after being on the trail for about 2.5 hours. We quickly snapped some photos and admired the stunning views before descended back to the trailhead, which was about 9 km back down the trail.

Ribbon Creek

We made it back to the trailhead safely but sore. A strong sense of accomplishment lingered in the air as the strong-hearted Delta community returned back to the lodge exhausted and in need of refreshments and a hearty meal.

The staff and friends of the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis put together a delicious barbeque and a well-deserved celebration. As people enjoyed their meals and relaxed, we had the opportunity to hear all about the unique ways the lodge was able to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. The creative participants at Delta Lodge at Kananaskis did everything from washing guest and employee vehicles for donations, organizing hockey tournaments to holding events such as take your dog to work day where volunteers walked and took care of the pets. I even heard that an employee who had been growing his hair for a long time cut off his ponytail for the cause. In the end the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis raised over $10, 000 for Habitat for Humanity! Way to go team, don’t stop there!

After a very exciting and successful day the tour continues as Suzanne and I head back to Calgary’s own Olympic Plaza to participate in kicking off the “Thrill of the Grill’ series where we will help host a barbeque along side the Delta Calgary Airport, Delta Bow Valley and Delta Calgary South and raise more money for Habitat for Humanity.

My leg of the tour has just begun and I am extremely excited to so what it will bring next…

Geoffrey Alan
Prairies Regional Ambassador