Tourism in Alberta. A visit to the Dinosaur Capital of Canada has the makings of an ideal family vacation for parents and children alike.
Rare is the child who does not have a fascination, from an early age, for dinosaurs; and judging from the overall popularity of the Steven Spielberg film "Jurassic Park," we can conclude that adults, too, have not forgotten their childhood interest in every aspect of these strange, prehistoric beasts. Put these together and you have the makings of an ideal family holiday.
Where to go? If you live in an area of the United States that is closer to Ohio, Montana, North and South Dakota, or Wyoming, by all means check out the dinosaur bone digging museum programs in those states. If not, the fullest exposure to dinosaurs--and a family vacation in the bargain--lies in a trip to the Alberta Badlands. The "Dinosaur Capital of Canada", Drumheller, Alberta, is the ultimate in discovery for young and old alike, and it is accessible by car or public transportation from Banff, Calgary, Edmonton, or Red Deer.
Now, some history of Drumheller. Scientists tell us that seventy-five million years ago, it formed part of the coastal lowlands of an enormous inland sea and possessed lush vegetation because of its warm, damp climate. We have also learned that a multitude of life forms roamed the area, including dinosaurs such as the now legendary Tyrannosaurus Rex.
After the Ice Age, when the glaciers retreated, deep furrows or valleys were left behind, and 10-15,000 years ago, the Red Deer River Valley was carved out as a result of the flood waters from melting glaciers. Over time, as the steep hillsides eroded, the bones of the once numerous dinosaurs and other fossils began to emerge.
It was not until 1984, however, that Joseph Burr Tyrell, for whom the Royal Tyrell Museum is named, found the first dinosaur skull in the area, identified as belonging to an Albertosaurus. The digging was underway.
Three years later, further excitement was added to the digs by a discovery in the area of Milk River of dinosaur nests with baby dinosaur bones inside. They belonged to duck-billed dinosaurs by the name of Hypacrosaurus. Scientists also found bones of Caenagnathus, who were thought to be egg-stealers. Since that time thirty five species of dinosaurs have been discovered, and digs continue.
The Royal Tyrell Museum has taken the lead to involve the public in assisting scientists and researchers to uncover and eventually reconstruct whole dinosaur communities from those prehistoric times.
The Museum's field programs range from two-hour educational visits to dinosaur bone bed excavation sites, to full days working alongside museum staff to dig for bones and record data, to summer vacation day camps for children of 7-12 years of age, where activities include making plaster casts of fossils that can be taken home.
The public programs are held in Dinosaur Provincial Park, which has been recognized by the United Nations as a world Heritage Site. To round out the summer holiday for the whole family, The Park sponsors guided day-long hiking tours to explore the geological marvels of the Badlands.
