Walter

Walter the whooping crane is town mascot in the Village of Govan, Saskatchewan. 

The fibreglass and steel structure is dedicated to the Last Mountain Wildlife Area located about fifteen miles northwest of town at the northern end of Last Mountain Lake.  This wildlife area was established in 1882 and is the oldest bird sanctuary in North America.

At the time "Walter" was unveiled in 1987 there were only 137 whooping cranes in existence.  Current statistics estimate there are now 506 left in the wild with another 79 in captivity.  They are doing a little better now thanks to protected wildlife sanctuaries. 

Growing up in southeastern Saskatchewan in the 1950's and '60's I can remember seeing them flying over the farm in spring on their way to Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta and then again in fall on their way back to the County of Aransas in Texas.  Now that I live in southeastern Alberta, I miss seeing these graceful fliers on their migration route.

Information courtesy of Parks Canada and the Village of Govan.

Photographed on March 23, 2022.

Wiwa Creek Farms

An impressive gate sign near Rush Lake, Saskatchewan.

Another one of those "I'll stop next time" moments.

Photographed on March 25, 2022.

Rush Lake Creek Bridge

Something caught my eye the other day while driving down the busy Trans Canada Highway.  It was near Rush Lake, Saskatchewan and the object of interest was the same thing that had been catching my eye for well over forty-five years now: a one-arch bowstring bridge.  I always say to myself, "I'll stop next time."  Well, I decided that "next time" was going to be this time (finally).

The bridge is located about half a mile north of the highway and is situated on a dirt road that runs parallel to the railroad tracks.  I was expecting the bridge to be closed but to my surprise found that it was still in use and in great condition.  It's one of the best preserved examples of a bowstring bridge I've encountered in my travels.

The bridge crosses over Rush Lake Creek.

I would imagine most of the traffic over the bridge is now from farm vehicles.

The name is embossed on both the northeast corner and again on the southwest corner of the bridge.    

And just as I was about to leave a train passed by...woo woo!

Photographed on March 25, 2022.

Sod House

A frosty morning below a pink and blue winter sky.

Frugal living arrangements.

Laying on the table inside the house was this newspaper article written by Colin Budd of the Herald (a regional newspaper) published circa June 2005.  It may be difficult to read in the photo so here it is in full:

The caption under the photo: "Tramping Lake farmer Mike Jahner stands in front of the sod house he and volunteers constructed on his farm last week.  Jahner built the sod house 100 years to the day and on the exact same spot his grandfather built their first home."

The headline: "Jahner builds sod house to celebrate farm Centennial"

The story: "The spirit of the province's Centennial has hit the Tramping Lake area.

"Mike Jahner, a local farmer, has reconstructed a log house in exactly the same place as his grandfather built his family's first in the area.  In fact the impressions from the first sod house are still visible.

" 'It was exactly 100 years from the day we started building, June 19,' said Jahner of his grandfather who made the trek to claim the land along with five other men from North Dakota.  His grandfather was originally from Russia.

"The frame of the house was constructed out of tree branches and the walls were then lined with sod which was carved out of the prairie grass with a breaking plough.  The roof will be a combination of sod and hay.

" 'It's something I have wanted to do for the 100 year anniversary,' said Jahner.  'It's just a heritage thing.'

"Jahner has had some help with the project including his brothers Jack and Lawrence, Allan Lacoursiere, Dennis Lacousiere, Brian Udey, Jahner's wife June, Colette Sharleen Jahner, Jahner's grandchildren, and Richard Pullen.

"He also plans to move in an old stove and table and chairs to keep the look as authentic as possible for any possible visitors that are taking in the Centennial celebrations in Tramping Lake later on this summer.

"Some people have suggested Jahner rent the sod house out to tourists."

Stop by for a visit.

Photographed near Tramping Lake, Saskatchewan on December 13, 2021.

Церква Пресвятої Євхаристії

Church of the Holy Eucharist

The Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Eucharist is near Stry, Alberta.  Construction began in 1934 but due to the complexity of the structure it wasn't completed for another ten years.  It replaced the former Saint Michael's Parish at Stry which was a mud-plastered log building from the early 1910's.

I stopped here a few years ago but on this occasion was lucky to meet some folks who had just arrived for a meeting in the hall near the church.  After a brief and friendly chat I asked if it would be possible to take a look inside the church.  They had a key and again, lucky for me, were willing to let me into their place of worship.  God bless them.

The interior is soft and welcoming in baby blue and white.  A prominent feature (and something I've never seen before) is the ornamental structure above the altar known as a baldachino.  This freestanding canopy is adorned in red and gold with a cobalt blue sphere at the centre.  The church contains all original liturgical items including artifacts from the original Saint Michael's.  The church is an enduring example of the craftsmanship, dedication and perseverance of the Ukrainian pioneers.

Another view...looking up into heaven.

Information courtesy of Hermis/Canada's Historic Places.

Photographed on February 26, 2022.

Fox Valley S.D. No. 2879

The first school built in Fox Valley in 1928.

While taking a few shots of the school a lady out for a walk came by and asked if I'd like to see the inside.  Of course!  She lived just down the block so in a few minutes she was back with key in hand.  Thank you ma'am.

The school originally had two classrooms upstairs... 

...and one downstairs.

Trinity Lutheran Church can be seen here just east of the school.

Photographed in Fox Valley, Saskatchewan on November 5, 2021.

Saint Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church

Many of the country roads aren't plowed in the winter so, by rule of thumb, if no one lives along a particular road it will remain impassable until late spring when it dries up.  Such was the case when I was looking for an old school near Kayville.  My planned route was under a foot of snow so I had to make a lengthy detour through the countryside to get to it.  There wasn't much to see along the way until I came to an intersection where I could just make out the image of a domed church through the blowing snow.  I had completely missed this one when researching the area so it came as a complete and pleasant surprise.

Above is a clear photo taken between wind gusts of Saint Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church.

The gate-sign at the corner of the churchyard. 

Along the side is another gate that leads to the cemetery...

...where there was plenty of loose snow blowing among the headstones.  For me, this photo of the cemetery made the day a worthwhile experience.  Comes across more like an impressionist painting than a photo.    

Looking through the cemetery gate towards the church.  On a calm day I'm sure that spruce tree beside the church is perfectly straight.

A hazy shade of winter.

Photographed near Kayville, Saskatchewan on January 26, 2022.

Wild Sunflowers

Happy flowers!

Photographed near Aquadell, Saskatchewan on July 25, 2021.

Grand Valley Lutheran Church

Overcast...one of those days where the sky is almost the same colour as the snow...black and white but with a gray-blue haze.  

The sign looks new.

A view from the cemetery.

Outside looking in.

Inside the church looks as good as the day it was built.

I love the arched ceiling.

The view from the altar.  The interior is spartan as is the way in Lutheran churches.

Mustard yellow and aqua coloured windows grace both sides of the church. 

Photographed near Twin Valley, Saskatchewan on January 27, 2022.

On the Way to Grand Valley...

Hi Mister!

...I passed a farmyard where I saw a young husky standing at the end of the driveway.  As soon as I stopped and got out of the car she darted between me and the open driver's door where she quickly made herself comfy on the passenger's seat.  Well...I was happy to see her too!  A pleasant surprise but as I'm not a dognapper I needed to figure out how to coax her out of the car.  She was determined to tag along but after some sweet-talking (and opening every door in the car including the back hatch) she decided to join me once again outside.

After a good cuddle she settled down enough that I could get a few pictures of her that were in focus.  She's barely out of puppy phase and quite a sweetie.  A few parting scratches between the ears and she headed back home and I continued on my journey. 

Photographed near Twin Valley, Saskatchewan on January 27, 2022.

One of the Most Beautiful Settings on Earth

Click here:  Friedhof Lauterbrunnen

Heinsburg Heritage Park

A train-themed heritage park on the upper bank of the North Saskatchewan River in Heinsburg, Alberta...includes a water tower, train station caboose and speeder.  Looks like a nice place for a picnic in warmer weather.

Photographed on February 25, 2022.