The Witch House

At one time this must have been the grandest house for miles around.

Photographed near Dollard, Saskatchewan on April 4, 2020.

One of the Good Guys

A "cowboy" memorial for Morris Gene Beck..."one of the good guys."

Complete with a bench...sit down for a few minutes and enjoy the big landscape.

The entrance gate complemented with two horseshoes.

Photographed near Dorothy, Alberta on November 14, 2018.

Windflowers

Some meadow anemones in full bloom.

The Greek word "anemone" means "daughter of the wind."

A big elm tree trunk in front of a bed of windlowers.

Blooming in a patch of variegated snow of the mountain.

Photographed on June 6, 2020.

South Meadow Township School #2

A small pioneer school near Tioga, North Dakota.

It is surrounded by unfenced farmland in all directions.  Lots of wind turbines in the distance.

There was definitely a porch entrance to the school at one time.

The vast majority of one-room schoolhouses remain standing in this, the northwest corner of the state.  Tearing down all remnants of the past doesn't seem to be the order of the day here....and that's certainly a refreshing attitude.

There is a South Meadows Township School #1 but I didn't get to it on this trip.  There's always next time.

Photographed on December 18, 2018.

Big Shiny Elevator

Big and shiny against the snow and prairie sky.

Photographed in Wroxton, Saskatchewan on January 5, 2020.

Moonlight

Photographed on December 2, 2017.

Big Stone Township School

When I see a sky like this I know I'm "home," so to speak.  I love the prairies!

This is Big Stone Township School near Corinth, North Dakota.

Flagpole is still standing straight and true.

I looked around all sides of the school but could see no sign of electricity ever being installed here.

Windows on both the west and north sides.

Late afternoon looking south...four more days and it will be the shortest day of the year.

Photographed on December 18, 2018.

Humboldt Water Tower

The historic water tower at Humboldt, Saskatchewan.

The best view of the city at about ninety-five feet high.

An information sign at the sight of the water tower.

A small triptych of stained glass windows on the wall of the original entryway to the tower.

The catwalk.

Photographed on March 21, 2020.

Road Trip

Some favourite photos from a week-long road trip in central Alberta this past February.

February 19, 2020:
First photo of the day...the New Brigden Water Tower was built by the Canadian National Railway in 1925.  Extensive rehabilitation to "straighten and correct" the structure was done a few years ago.  It's a landmark of some renown in the area and well worth a visit.

February 19, 2020:
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a grand brick building in the small town of Chauvin.  I love the stamped tin siding on the steeple.

February 20, 2020:
Winona School District #1927 sign near Oxville.  I've seen dozens upon dozens of school signs in the countryside but each one is special in its own way...a recognition of the past is always appreciated.

February 20, 2020:
My last stop for the day...a country cemetery near the town of Islay.  I really wanted to venture in to take a closer look at the headstones but the snow was deep and it had been a long day.  Next time.

February 21, 2020:
This tall budded cross marks the site of Saint Mikhail Cemetery near Myrnam.  The cemetery is about a quarter mile off the road and the only way in was on foot through the snow drifts.  Many of the burials here were victims of the flu epidemic in 1918-1919 and most of those graves were marked with wooden crosses.  Those markers have long since rotted or burned up in prairie fires so many of the graves here are lost.  The government records indicate that only about forty people are buried here when in fact there are well over one hundred.  As is obvious from the cross marker design and cemetery name it was established by Ukrainian settlers.

February 21, 2020:
The central dome of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity topped with an Orthodox cross in Myrnam.

February 22, 2020:
A roadside sign for New Kiew Holy Ascension Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery northeast of Vegreville...

February 22, 2020:

...and an icy-blue, cello-shaped headstone in the cemetery.

February 22, 2020:

The former courthouse in Vegreville...now an administration building.  These old courthouses look so "official."

February 23, 2020:

A large stone monument at Lanuke Cemetery just outside of Two Hills.  There is a covered outdoor picnic area here...my kind of place.

February 24, 2020:

As soon as I stopped here I knew I was in for a treat.  I stepped out of the car and about six hundred feet down the road this dog started running towards me with tail in full wag.  She was great company while I photographed the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Dormition of Saint Mary of Sich-Kolema near Vegreville.  Nice to have unexpected friendly four-legged company.

February 24, 2020:

The cross on top of the central dome at Ascension of Jesus Christ Catholic Church - Kopernick Parish near Holden.  The light was just right to capture this striking main feature.

February 25, 2020:

On my way home I stopped at Castor to see the grain elevator.  I can't remember the last time I saw one painted this colour.  It seemed to be in pretty good condition.

February 25, 2020:

Next to last photo of the day...a big willow tree covered with hoar frost at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Cemetery just outside of Castor.  The wind blowing little bits of the frost out of the trees almost looks like falling stars in the bright blue sky.

Hope you enjoyed the trip.

New Red Roof

This past winter I was driving along a country road in central Saskatchewan when I glimpsed this big red barn out of the corner of my eye.  I slid to a stop on the icy road and reversed my course for a few photos.

A young farmer on a snowmobile rode out to the end of the driveway to greet me.  We talked for a few minutes and he said that he had just had the roof on the barn replaced and that refinishing the siding was next on his "to do" list.  It was good to hear that "knocking it down" hadn't been an option.

The workmanship on the roof is second to none...nice to see there are still good craftsmen out there.

Photographed on a freezing cold day near Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan on March 18, 2020.