White-tailed Jackrabbit

A white-tailed jackrabbit that greeted me at the hotel in Regina, Saskatchewan.  They usually move too fast to get a decent photo but this one didn't mind posing for a few.

Photographed on December 13, 2018.

The Elevators in Lepine

The abandoned grain elevators in Lepine (which is just a hop, skip and a jump from Wakaw, Saskatchewan).

When I left Wakaw in the morning it was snowing and blowing.  I stopped to take some photos of a few cemeteries that were covered in fresh snow and then it was off to Lepine.  Pretty well all that's left of the town are a ramshackle house and these two elevators.  But attractive elevators they are.

The northwest corners were plastered with snow.

A little bit of blue sky was showing to the south.

A large pit has been dug out between the two elevators.  This photo shows the pile of soil from digging.  I'm not sure what's up with the pit but I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with preserving these old beauties.

See them while they're still upright!

Photographed on October 26, 2019.

Liberty School

An old country school near Milo, Alberta.

I don't know if this is the original colour scheme but I like the creamy yellow with sage green trim.

Since these photos were taken the door and all of the windows have been covered with chipboard.

This is what remains of the chimney...

...and this is the top the old bell tower.

The original sign above the front door.

All of the pioneer schools in Vulcan County, Alberta have been marked.  A few of the signs are missing but well over one hundred of them are still standing.

Photographed on September 22, 2017.

Homage to a Friend

May 29, 2019

This is always unexpected...

I had some sad news this afternoon.  A fellow backroads traveler and photographer died in an accident while out on a road trip in the Foremost area.  His name was Tye Carnelli and he was only sixty years old.  My heart goes out to his loved ones.

Tye had a popular Instagram page you can see here:  prairieeyes

Our most common interest was photography so what better way to celebrate his life than with what he loved: photography.  He left this world doing what he loved the most.  Here is a small collection of photos in homage to the "rural tourism" he enjoyed exploring.

Above is Sacred Heart Church near Etzikom, Alberta.

July 30, 2019

Thunderhill School is south of Golden Prairie, Saskatchewan.

April 7, 2019

"The Veranda House" is just up the road from Thunderhill School.

November 23, 2017

Cottonwood Church is north of Havre, Montana.

June 28, 2018

Congregational Church at Gros-Ventre is just north of the Cypress Hills in Alberta.

June 9, 2019

State School is near Medicine Hat, Alberta.

November 18, 2019

An abandoned storefront in Tramping Lake, Saskatchewan.

February 22, 2019

We used to joke about this one..."Tigh" is pronounced just like "Tye."  The Tigh School sign is near Richmound, Saskatchewan.

As a dear friend just reminded me...value each moment.

Church Windows

October 19, 2017

A collection of church windows I found remarkable each in their own way.  Kudos to all the artists, designers and craftsmen who had a hand in the realization of these illuminated wonders.

Above is a beautifully designed window at Saint Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Parish in Weyburn, Saskatchewan...including a sheaf of wheat, a mouse and more.

November 24, 2018

The window shown here is to the side of the altar at Saint James Catholic Church in Powers Lake, North Dakota.  There are seven classically styled stained glass windows in the church and then there is this one that utilises a modern design to depict a biblical story: the dove bringing an olive branch to Noah to show that the flood waters had receded.

December 16, 2018

This small round window of green and orange pressed glass is high above the altar at Maryland - Queen of the Apostles Roman Catholic Church near Lampman, Saskatchewan.  It was a very cold day that I stopped here but I could see smoke rising from the chimney...yes, it was toasty warm inside.

August 9, 2018

A cross of glass block behind the altar at Glentworth United Church in Glentworth, Saskatchewan.  There's just enough light to outline the candelabrum and not quite enough to reveal the cross on the altar.

December 17, 2018

Most of the windows at Saint Andrew's United Church in Arcola, Saskatchewan are simply translucent glass bordered by red and blue squares and rectangles.  But there are two others: one of Jesus holding a lamb which is above the altar and this nativity scene placed inside the front entrance to the church.  The elongated and angular elements of the design make it a rare and exceptional find in this part of the world.

August 10, 2018

This red and blue gothic arch is midway up the stairs to the balcony in Saint Boswells' Trinity Lutheran Church in the R.M. of Glen Bain, Saskatchewan.  The reflection on the landing helps to make this rather simple window appear brilliant and luminous.  I stopped here on my way home from a road trip around the Assiniboia area... it was sweltering 39°C outside.

November 23, 2017

This is a shot of the choir loft at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fort Benton, Montana. The tall red, yellow and purple window panels rise from floor to ceiling in this mid-60's style church.

October 16, 2017

The crest of the United Church of Canada at First United Church in Swift Current, Saskatchewan.  The heads of wheat are a gracious nod to the prairies.

October 19, 2017

This is the top half of a very tall stained glass window at Grace United Church in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. To give an idea of the scale, the pew at the bottom of the photo in on the balcony inside the church.

October 21, 2018

One of seven traditionally designed stained glass windows at Hogeland American Lutheran Church in Hogeland, Montana. The anchor symbolizes hope and appears in epitaphs dating back as far as the first century A.D.

May 7, 2017

The rose window above the front entrance to Saint Ambrose Anglican Church in Redcliff, Alberta.  The centre of the window as well as each petal display a bright red bloom.

November 26, 2018

One of many stained glass windows in Nazareth Lutheran Church in Kenmare, North Dakota.  All of the windows here are designed as diptychs, except for this one of Jesus.  It is also the only window in the church that is constructed of thick glass with multiple chipped edges to give it that extra sparkle.

October 19, 2017

A second offering from Saint Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Parish in Weyburn, Saskatchewan: a white dove with rays of bright red and gold.

August 9, 2018

Green and yellow panels in a gothic arch frame at McCord United Church in McCord, Saskatchewan.  This is a popular colour combination in many churches.

October 25, 2018

The triptych design and use of muted colours gives this window an "old world" appearance...a piece of the distant past.  It is installed behind the altar at Saint Andrew's United Church in Eston, Saskatchewan.

January 8, 2018

A spectacular stained glass window mounted on the back wall of Saint Barnabas Anglican Church in Medicine Hat, Alberta.  There are so many beautiful windows in the church it's pretty well impossible to pick a favourite.

September 29, 2017

One of several identical red and white windows at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Admiral, Saskatchewan.  On bright sunny days the interior of the church is literally filled with a red glow.

January 5, 2019

My personal favourite from this collection.  This is one of three small windows that is fitted below the onion-dome on Saint James Russo Greek Catholic Orthodox Church near Mundare, Alberta.  Looking up into the dome really gave me a sense of wonder.

I hope you enjoyed the church window tour.

Baby Boots

Spotted this at Saint Boswells' Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in the R.M. of Glen Bain, Saskatchewan. 

I've only seen this design a few times in my travels and "pretty sweet" is an understatement.  A very loving and thoughtful remembrance of a baby gone to heaven. 

Photographed on August 10, 2018.