Double Take -- by Mark Sproxton

Two hands hold the reigns as the horse-drawn carriage comes to rest at a stop sign in downtown Banff. With the white-capped mountains rising to the sky and the sun warming the day, six tourists from around the globe laugh and smile at Alberta's splendour.

For carriage foreman Ron Fleury the combination of the beautiful scenery and the interesting people make his day. "You meet all sorts of fascinating people," the eight-year driver said. "I've driven people from every part of the world."

But driving is only part of the work for Fleury. He must also oversee other drivers, train new drivers, look after the carriages and help with over 300 horses in the Warner Guiding & Outfitting stables. Growing up on a farm and being around horses his entire life, Fleury can't imagine a better job.

"I was ready to retire so I thought I would do something I enjoy," he said. "I knew a bit about it, applied and did it." With the carriage rides he puts in 12 hour days from early spring to late fall feeding and grooming horses, cleaning and maintaining the carriages, cleaning the harnesses and keeping tabs on the horses' health and horse shoes. He also trains new drivers as the need arises.

"There are many ways to drive horses," he said. "There's my way and lots of others. I like to see you drive with both hands." And regardless of whether a driver is new, or a veteran like himself, Fleury said obeying traffic laws as you move around the town's streets from hotel to hotel is key to a successful day. "Our big concern is safety. Traffic is so much of it. You've got to be alert."