We at The Drumheller Mail, on behalf of the residents of the valley, welcome Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Canada, and later this week to Alberta. We sincerely hope your stay is pleasurable amid the pomp and circumstance of official visits and ceremony.
We understand that royal duties of the visit will take up the bulk of your time during your visit, and for a newlywed couple, we are sure that time spent together is important. This is why we urge you to take a side trip. Drumheller isn’t far off the beaten track.
Just a quick drive up Highway 9 will bring you to the valley. Alternatively, if you want to avoid the construction, we have an airstrip that could accommodate many types of craft, including helicopters.
When you get here, you will be dazzled by unparalleled vistas of the surrounding hills, and natural wonders like the Hoodoos, formed over thousands of years. The valley has been the site of a number of films and has seen stars such as Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Jackie Chan all come to utilize the unique topography.
You will also be impressed by the burgeoning town moving forward with strong civil service, resource and tourism industries. This year the valley is celebrating the centennial of coal mining, a significant part of our history. We certainly hope you see the Drumheller float in the Calgary Stampede Parade and are inspired to see the rich and vibrant history of the Drumheller Valley.
This is all yours to take in, and we haven’t even mentioned dinosaurs. After all, dinosaurs have made us famous. The Royal Tyrrell Museum last year celebrated its 25th anniversary, and its 10 millionth visitor. It is a leader in palaeontological research, with scientists travelling to all parts of the globe to help in the discovery and research of our origins on earth. More importantly, it has brought this research and specimens to the general population to educate and inspire. Some notable visitors to the museum include Aerosmith and the Pitt/Jolie family.
Speaking of the Royal Tyrrell Museum, there may be a little bit of unfinished royal business. In 1990, the museum achieved its “Royal” status. This was done by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This was a great honour for the valley, however the induction was at a luncheon in Red Deer. To date no one from the Royal Family has come to see the great achievement in this modest valley.
We urge you to take a couple hours, see the valley and marvel at what we have to offer.
