Sunday, July 28 from 10 am until noon. Deane House garden next to Hunt House (East across the Elbow river from Fort Calgary)
Walk with Karen Gummo in the steps of her ancestors (Ofeigur Sigurdsson and Astridur Tomasdottir) who arrived earlier to Winnipeg and to North Dakota from Iceland, then in 1889 came by train to Calgary, registered for a homestead, picked up supplies of food stuffs, a wagon, animals and tools then headed north to find their promised land near the Medicine River west of Innisfail. It would be a four-day walk for the new immigrants. There were no bridges over the rivers and it was June.
In this group was farmer – poet Stephan G. Stephansson and his family and many other fascinating folk who planned to form an Icelandic community eventually called Markerville.
We will experience the outset of the journey only, starting at Hunt House and move toward the Calgary and Edmonton Trail. There were no bridges over the rivers in those days but we may make use of a few modern marvels on our way. We remember the people who came before, the first people who made and travelled that well-worn trail. Perhaps your family made that journey too? Join us and bring your stories.
Park near Alexandra Centre along 8th Ave. S.E. or come on your bike!
Nearest public transit: #1 bus along Ninth Ave.
