Homestead

An abandoned homestead near Hilda, Alberta.  Looks attractive in the early morning light.

Photographed on September 19, 2019.

Not the Usual

A couple of well aged and unusually shaped granaries near Burstall, Saskatchewan.

They look somewhat like miniature versions of the old water towers that used to be so prevalent on the prairies.

Photographed on September 16, 2019.

Ingebrigt S.D. No. 2896

Ingebrigt School is one of about half a dozen one-room schoolhouses still standing in the Fox Valley area of Saskatchewan.

Windows on the south and west sides of the building.  It must have been hot inside during the summer.

The lightning rod is more-or-less intact.  Looks like something is missing...it may have had a glass ball and/or weathervane on top.

Signs like this one mark the locations of schools, churches and cemeteries from days gone by.  Most of the churches and schools are long gone, the cemeteries are mostly neglected.

This is farming country.  The crop around the school had already been harvested but the neighbouring fields were full of combines, grain trucks were coming and going on the dusty country roads.  A busy time on the prairies. 

Photographed on September 16, 2019.

Saint Henry's Parish Cemetery

A memorial cairn erected at the original site of Saint Henry's Roman Catholic Cemetery near Salvador, Saskatchewan.

When the cemetery fell into disrepair it was plowed under.  This is not a practice that I can condone in any way, shape or form...in my opinion, it's simply disrespectful.  That said, the cairn is a reminder that people are still buried below the tilled field.

All parts of the crucifix are made of metal and mounted on quite a substantial concrete base.  It should last well into the twenty-first century.

Photographed on December 11, 2017.

Black and Shiny

Two black Angus cows with their calves near Richmound, Saskatchewan.

Look at those shiny black coats and wet noses.

These four were the only ones close to the road while all the other cattle were about a quarter mile to the west.

Photographed on July 30, 2019.

Prairie Sunflowers

"Happy!"

I love to see prairie wildflowers used in an urban landscape.  They're "tough as nails," so to speak.  Give them a little water to get established...after that they pretty well take care of themselves and reward you with weeks of enjoyment year after year.  These were planted alongside a driveway in Monarch, Alberta. 

Photographed on August 26, 2019.

Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery

I've stopped at this pioneer cemetery a number of times over the years.  For me it never looks better than in spring when the old caragana hedge is in full bloom with the tall and abundant grass blowing in the prairie wind.  I've taken photos here on numerous occasions but these are my favourite shots of this long abandoned place of rest.

None of the original grave markers remain (most likely they were wooden crosses) but a memorial marker bearing the names of those known to be buried here has been placed just inside the entrance.  Word has it that it was known as the "Government Cemetery" as people with no religious affiliation were buried here.

The town closest to the cemetery is Schuler, Alberta.  The most recent news is that an addition has been built onto the Schuler School.  That means dozens of country kids won't need to be bussed into the city for classes.  Take it from a farm kid...that really is good news.

Photographed on June 2, 2017.

Stranraer United Church

Situated on a hillside in the former hamlet of Stranraer, Saskatchewan.  The clouds almost appear to vibrate in the bright blue sky.

The church is a designated Municipal Heritage Site.  Construction of the building began in 1926 and was completed in 1929.

The weathervane/lightning rod atop the spire.

A simpler lightning rod and red brick chimney...the latter of which has seen better days.

The church seated about one hundred people comfortably and the basement is one large room with a kitchen which is used as a community hall.

I saw this church during a trip to Rosetown, Saskatchewan.  Gardening was pretty well finished for the season and a road trip was "just what the doctor ordered."  I was blessed with beautiful weather for the entire four days and the majority of what I saw was all new to me.  It's always good to see new things.

Information courtesy of Canada's Historic Places - A Federal, Provincial and Territorial Collaboration.

Photographed on October 25, 2018.

Stoneview Township School

An overcast, cool and frosty day near Bush Lake, North Dakota. 

It was hunting season and there were several locals, mostly in old beat-up half ton trucks, cruising the countryside looking for game.  My Alberta licence plate made me an international curiosity, and vice versa...it's always interesting to talk with the neighbourhood folk.  I was the only one without a gun rack in the rear window.

This is Stoneview Township School, known to the old folks in the area as Merryfield School.

The bell is missing but the bell tower and flagpole are intact and the building itself is still solid.

There are a few more windows than is usual in a pioneer school.  A large concrete cistern can be seen on the north side of the building.

Some bales that hadn't been picked up yet.

Let's swing!

Location and information courtesy of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Photographed on November 24, 2018.

Herman

A train trestle that crosses the Old Man River near Monarch, Alberta.

This is Herman.  He's a happy four month old puppy.

I stopped at a farm yard to ask permission to walk across their land to get a better view of the trestle.  As soon as I stepped out of the car Herman was there to greet me.  He's pretty friendly.  The lady of the house was home and said it would be fine to walk in to get a closer look.  Herman was raring to go so off we went.

The trestle spans about two thousand feet.

After a few shots I could see Herman holding his head up in the direction of the trestle.  A few minutes later I also heard it...a train was coming.

Bonus!  Talk about good timing!

Back up to the house and Herman headed for some shade beside the owner's car.

A big adventure calls for a big nap.

Photographed on August 26, 2019.