On our way home from our ladies’ road trip to Drumheller, we made a quick stop in Big Valley, a charming western town in central Alberta. I had last visited several years ago when my family and I took the steam train excursion from Stettler —a spectacular ride aboard historic steam train cars, complete with onboard entertainment and fun “train robbery” en route to Big Valley. One of the ladies I was travelling with had never been to Big Valley before so we decided to take the short detour off the main highway to explore. Stopping with her this time had me reminiscing about my first visit and how much life has changed since then.

Jimmy Jock Boardwalk

I recalled the boardwalk, carefully designed to look like an old western town, lined with quaint shops including a bakery whose delicious cinnamon bun aromas once filled the air.

What we found this time was a bit different than I remembered. The old western boardwalk remains, though it sported a “for sale” sign. The small gift shop and an ice cream store were open, and a few antiques were for sale as well. Noticeably missing was the smell of fresh cinnamon buns wafting through the air. Down the block, we were able to venture into a store called, “All That Buzz,” which featured honey products and homemade fudge. I was able to sample some delicious fresh fudge made that morning by the store owner and purchased some infused honey samples as gifts. I also learned that the store supports organizations looking to fundraise through them and picked up an informational brochure, thinking her products would provide interesting homemade choices for any organization wanting to fundraise. After that, we chose to have lunch at a family-style restaurant in town, which was quite busy that day due to the rodeo being in town.

A Changing Town

While waiting for our meal, we chatted with some locals at the next table. When I mentioned that the town seemed quieter than I remembered and asked about the bakery on the boardwalk, they shared how COVID had impacted Big Valley, and some businesses had unfortunately closed. I was happy to hear, however, that the Steam Train from Stettler still regularly rolls into town full of curious tourists throughout the summer months! The locals were friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. I would definitely stop in again someday—hopeful that Big Valley can regain or reinvent what it lost during COVID.

Memories and Change

Reflecting on this stop prompted me to pull out a family photo from 2008, taken at the Stettler Steam Train station—just before our adventure to Big Valley. In the picture, alongside my dad and brother, are my late sister-in-law and my mother, both now passed on. It’s a poignant reminder that time and circumstance bring change — an ever-present constant in life.

In 2020, the world faced major changes, and so did my family. My sister-in-law passed away suddenly, and since then, my mother has also passed on. Around the same time, many people and communities like Big Valley experienced significant impacts. These changes serve as reminders of how much can shift in a short time. For me, this is part of why I choose to gift experiences rather than things. A few years ago, I gave my family tickets for the steam train excursion from Stettler to Big Valley as a special Christmas gift. Another example of gifting an experience was when I kicked off our ladies’ trip to Drumheller by giving a ticket to the ballet to a friend celebrating her 60th birthday. Shared experiences create meaningful memories, and let’s face it, most of us already have enough stuff.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Legacy

Just as we arrived home from the trip, we were reminded once again of inevitable change—headlines announced the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, a rock legend whose music has touched countless lives. One of the ladies on the trip shared that his passing would especially affect her generation, as they had grown up with his music—and, in many ways, alongside him throughout the years. His passing served as another reminder of life’s constant ebb and flow, a theme he powerfully captured in the Black Sabbath song “Changes” :
“I’m going through changes,
I’m going through changes,
Changes are… gonna come.”

Those words a bittersweet reminder that changes are guaranteed to come. Amid loss and transition, there’s also a thread of resilience, memory, and hope that we carry forward.

Support Local and Share Your Thoughts

When you’re driving through Big Valley, consider stopping in to explore the town and support local businesses—like the All That Buzz shop offering handcrafted goods that also help with fundraising efforts. You might also want to take the Alberta Pacific Railway ride from Stettler to Big Valley for a truly memorable experience. Small acts like these keep communities vibrant and thriving.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on change—both personal and in the communities you care about. How have change and resilience shaped your life or your hometown? Please share your reflections in the comments below!

_______________________________________

If you enjoyed this post, please consider subscribing and liking to follow along with more stories like this.

Be well!