Catching up: Vulcan

Mural in Vulcan

Lots and lots of electric wires

This entry is going to be blissfully short, as I had reserved a room at the Badlands Motel in order to have reliable wifi for a conference call and book club meeting, so wasn't out adventuring that much while in Drumheller, where I wanted to visit the Royal Tyrell Museum.

Across the prairie

Even with my chirpy love for anything new, there really isn't that much to see on the way, so anything that's unique is noteworthy.

Oil wells on the prairie

There are lots and lots of electric wires, and I never did figure out where they were going to or from. There are a few reservoirs, but there's not a lot of elevation to generate power. So this remains a mystery.

One of the things that you do see out here are oil wells. They are sort of randomly sprinkled across the landscape, in no particular discernible pattern (except, I'm sure, to geologists). There might be one, then two together, then none for awhile. They are pumping oil from liquified stromatoporoids, sponge-like animals that built reefs in the Devonian/Silurian oceans. Now no longer with us, their bodies have turned to oil, which can be extracted from the porous rock. (There was a sample of this in the Royal Tyrell Museum, and it was not anything like I thought it was – the rock was much harder than I thought it would be. I have trouble seeing how it's actually porous, and how oil can flow out of it...)

You will also see capped off wells (couldn't tell if they were for oil or water), fenced off so that they won't be run over by tractors or irrigation systems. It's a very rural landscape.

Hard to read, but at the bottom it says
 "Planet of Vulcan Authority"

Vulcan

I'm not sure why I really did this, but I did detour through the town of Vulcan, Alberta, on my way to Drumheller.

I guess I had time, and I'd read about this in the tourist materials, and I thought, "Aw, what the heck." It's not like there really is a lot else to see out here (although I am saving some things, like the Brooks Aqueduct, for another trip).

Anyway, the city of Vulcan has embraced its name wholeheartedly and styles itself as the (Star Trek) Vulcan embassy on Earth.

I am not kidding.

Everything is themed "Star Trek." There are "Star-Trek" murals, "Star Trek"-themed advertisements, restaurants, menus, and more. Even the administration building is the "Planet of Vulcan Authority."

Vulcan post office

There is a replica of the Enterprise in the park at the entrance to the town.

Leonard Nimoy visited here and there is a bronze bust of him, as well as a handprint.

There is a museum with actual (no replicas!) costumes, props and other items from the television shows and films. I guess I'm not a die-hard fan because I resisted the $20 entry fee, but for someone who was, it would be a cool place. They do hold conventions here, too. And weddings! What could be better!

And they have a special cancellation stamp at the post office. I sent six postcards from here, so I hope the people who get them really appreciate this!

(I didn't know before this, but Canada also has "Star Trek" stamps, medals and other collectible, commemorative items available from the post office. I would have bought some stamps if they could have been used to send to the US, but alas, no, they are for Canada mail only.)

FYI, there is an Indiegogo campaign to "Help Vulcan build a fully-functioning starship Enterprise." Due to be completed in 2058. Budget in the billions (of dollars); unfortunately, they are falling a little short. You heard it here first (probably).

Vulcan peonies

Not Star Trek-related, I did buy a $.25 used book from the local library titled "The Klondike." Apparently it's an Alberta classic. Not sure if I'll get to read the whole thing before I get to Alaska, but it seems like it should be part of my reading list.

And who doesn't love a twenty-five cent (CN) book!

Vulcan also had some beautiful flowers, and I really liked the timeline of the town that they had in the "Enterprise" park. Obviously the people who live there have a sense of humor.

Next post will be on to Drumheller!