An interesting side trip!

the cliffs of of Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Yes, there really is a place called "Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump". It is located in Fort McLeod, Alberta, Canada. If you were going to lure me to a place off of my chosen route, naming it this would do it. The history of the site involves cliffs utilized by the Indians to lure buffalo to jump over them to their death.

These buffalo weren't jumping!

They(the Indians) would then harvest them for meat and such for their survival. The Canadians have built an absolutely amazing center on the site which chronicles the activity. Apparently a young Indian brave

We weren't lying - see the sign

perished while observing this event from the bottom of the cliff. His skull was apparently smashed by a falling buffalo hence the name head-smashed-in Buffalo Jump. Sharon and I purchased a few souvenirs to chronicle our visit to this site. We have thoroughly enjoyed our trip in Alberta. We have seen deer and buffalo and scenery beyond imagination. Today we drove through Calgary past the site of the Winter Olympics. It was a cool experience since all the ski jumping venues are still intact and can be seen (they are huge!) from the road. We are now in Banff resting for the evening in front of a warm fire with Canadian Club in hand.  

The mt outside of our hotel in Banff