Pincher Creek

After several days that involved a lot of driving, I decided I needed a "stay day". It was time to just take some time and explore Pincher Creek itself. Because it is a little off the main highway going to the Crowsnest Pass, I had never actually been in Pincher Creek before. 

First order of business was coffee and breakfast. I found the charming Hut Café on Main Street. A really big cup of coffee and a banana crepe is a great way to start a day!

Properly fortified, I walked up and down Main, doing my shopping. I spent all morning exploring the unique shops and finishing my Christmas shopping. Speaking of unique, Johnny Cache Hobbies is a combination pet store, hunting supply and gaming store. It blew my mind and I found a lot of gifts there for the younger people in my life. (I'm sure Donovan and Gavin will love their new squeaky bones! Or was that for Rodeo - it's been a whirlwind!)


I love it when towns have murals. They just exude charm and I find them delightful. There were also some lovely little parks in Pincher Creek's downtown area, where one could sit and enjoy the gorgeous weather. It was after posting pictures of these murals that I discovered an old friend moved to Pincher Creek. We were able to connect for our first in person visit in 7 years. At the Hut Café, of course!

I had lunch at the Bear Grass Bistro after a must see visit to the Dragon Heart Quilt Shop. I had heard about this shop for years and was under strict instructions to not miss out! 



I am one of those people who has always loved the caboose on a train, and was sad when they stopped using them. (I don't like change, don't get me started on Pluto!) 

It wasn't until I was in the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, that I actually got to explore inside one! I never really had thought about what the caboose was used for. Turns out it was living quarters. Now I want to stay in a Caboose Airbnb! 

Is that a thing? I want to know!


Inside a caboose

The museum is deceptive in it's size. Driving by the front, it looks like an ordinary small town museum building. That is only the gift shop! It's not your ordinary museum gift shop either. It's a full-on store of locally produced items; leather purses, woven rugs, jam, decorative tins, towels, aprons, books. Everything you would find in a main street gift or kitchen store in a tourist district.

The actual pioneer village turns out to have two big museum buildings and 31 heritage buildings that have been arranged over 2 1/2 blocks. It rivals Fort Edmonton and Heritage Park. A boardwalk takes you from building to building, all filled with detailed displays, from the survey office and homesteader cabin to the fancy two story bank. The collection is enormous and beautifully displayed. This is one place I might like to see during the high season or one of their special events.




The day was concluded with dinner at the General's Quarters. It's a cozy pub style restaurant with log beams, a patio and great food. It's one of the few places I ate at twice on my holidays. I didn't make it into all the shops or all of the attractions in Pincher Creek, there is a lot more to do here than I managed. It's a pretty little town that is worth exploring in it's own right.

It's location made it the perfect "base camp" for my adventures. Right in between Waterton and the Crowsnest Pass, and far more affordable to stay in than both (one couple I spoke to was paying $200/night, I was paying $75!) Pincher Creek is big enough to have all the services you might need; gas stations, restaurants, drug store, groceries, pool, library, etc. At normal prices, not tourist mark-up prices (I try to never get gas in a National Park!!) 

It was a short drive to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Fort McLeod, and Cardston. It's close to several parks and recreation areas; Beauvais Lake (used to camp there), Oldman River Dam (took a picnic supper out there one night- saw a bald eagle, no picture!), Lundbreck Falls (love a waterfall) and more. 

This trip convinced me of the wisdom of staying in small towns. I found so many advantages. The savings in hotels alone made the extra driving worth it. Little towns have charm and hidden gems that you would know existed, just zooming past on the highway. 

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