Southfork

A sign at the former location of Southfork, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on July 11, 2019.

Mouthful

A ground squirrel with a mouthful of grass.  They move quickly so I had just enough time to get this one photo.

Photographed in Medicine Hat, Alberta on May 5, 2020.

Kaplychka

"Kaplychka" is a Ukrainian word that means "little chapel."

The formal name is Holy Ascension Orthodox Chapel and is near Rhein, Saskatchewan.

It is considered the oldest Orthodox Christian Temple in all of Saskatchewan making it a significant historical artifact. Seeing Kaplychka first hand was both a privilege and an honour. 

Settlers built the chapel soon after arriving in 1900.  According to oral history there were five Temples under construction during 1902-1903 and, as far as I know, this is the only one still standing.  Thankfully someone with foresight covered the little chapel with a metal roof which is most likely why it is still in such good condition.  There are graves beside the church...

...as well as across the open yard in front of the Temple. 

There is also a log belfry on the grounds.

A small table inside the belfry.

The gaps between the logs are filled with a mix of mud, manure and straw chinking.  This photo also shows that at one time the chapel had a whitewashed stucco finish.

The Temple has not been used in well over five decades but in the meantime lots of birds have made the chapel a home.

The logs on the uppermost part of the walls are longer than those at the bottom making it possible to build a roof that would extend well beyond the log walls keeping them safe from the elements, especially rain.  A simple wrought iron Orthodox cross stands alone at the roof peak. 

Of note...one of the last weddings performed at the Temple was on November 11, 1924.  The bride wore a crown of willow twigs and the young children wore flowers in their hair.  After the wedding was blessed the bride and groom returned to their own homes because the houses were too small for everyone to congregate.  In the evening the groom along with his sponsor, or "best man" as they are now called, went to collect the bride on a sleigh for a memorable night!

In later years a larger church was built nearby and named The Church of Saint Michael.  Both sites are still maintained by members of Saint Michael's. 

Information courtesy of the Canadian Orthodox History Project.  

Photographed on January 4, 2020.

One White Sock

A fine looking horse near Francis, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on December 14, 2018.

Baby Lischka

A headstone for a child that was here for only a very short time.

This marker is in Queen of the Apostles Roman Catholic Cemetery at Maryland, Saskatchewan.  The greenish-gray swirl marble is unusual and attractive.   

Photographed on December 16, 2018.

Bunny in the Park

A bunny taking in some winter sunshine at Kin Coulee Park in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Photographed on January 17, 2018.

CN Train Station in Carlyle

Carlyle’s historic 1909 CN Station is now home to the Rusty Relics Museum.

This is the type of railroad crossing sign I remember seeing when I was a kid.

On site is a CP caboose...

...Number 437072.

A motorized jigger.  Every time I saw one of these zooming along the tracks I wanted to hop on for a ride.

Photographed in Carlyle, Saskatchewan on December 17, 2018.

Today on a Range Road

Almost the same sky as the previous "Today on a Township Road" post...but different.

A barn with "a bit of a lean" in the Woolchester area of Alberta.

Photographed on May 2, 2020.

Today on a Township Road

The old Congregational Church north of the Cypress Hills in Alberta.  An old beauty in the spring landscape.

Photographed on May 2, 2020.

Bank Vault in Savoy

Most everything in Savoy, Montana is long gone but this old concrete bank vault does endure.

Nice prairie sunset too!

Photographed on October 18, 2018.