In the Valley

A Charolais bull taking it easy near one of the bridges along Seven Bridges Road in the Qu'Appelle Valley.

He seems to be having a quiet and relaxing morning.

Photographed near Lumsden, Saskatchewan on August 3, 2020.

Autumn Joy

One of the last flowers of the season to bloom and appropriately named "Autumn Joy."

Photographed at Linda and Lawrence's yard in Medicine Hat, Alberta on August 15, 2020.

Cudworth Train Station

The restored train station in Cudworth, Saskatchewan is now a museum.

The roof is covered in cedar shakes.

That appears to be a vintage "Rexall" sign.

The Wheatland Express Excursion Train was parked at the train station on this occasion.

Photographed on August 4, 2020.

Barn near Deer Valley

A huge old barn near Deer Valley, Saskatchewan.

It has certainly seen better days.

A number of support beams help to keep it upright.

Photographed on August 3, 2020.

Sunflowers

A field of sunflowers near Hilda, Alberta.

Sunflowers = Happy!

A showy display at half a mile wide by a full mile long.

Photographed on August 11, 2017.

Gotta Go!

Mom and Twin #1 had already hopped the fence and were off onto the grassy hillside.  A minute later, Twin #2 realized the situation and was quickly over the fence too.

Photographed at Daisy and Jesse's yard in Medicine Hat, Alberta on August 19, 2020.

Mystery Solved!

Larry, a blog reader from Minnesota, has identified the "Mystery" School in the previous post.  It was named Creekside School and built 1914.  Thank you Larry!

Photographed on November 25, 2018.

"Mystery" School

A "mystery" country school in Forthun Township, North Dakota.

The State Historical Society of North Dakota has done an excellent job of documenting their past but there seems to be no record of this school ever existing.  It's a mystery!

The building sits less than five miles south of the Saskatchewan/North Dakota border.

Forthun Township is thirty-six square miles of flat prairie farm land with a population of ten people, give or take.

Photographed on November 25, 2018.

Inside Saint Nicholas

An inside view of Saint Nicholas Church in the Qu'Appelle Valley.  Simple and spartan, charming and warm.

Look up...

The open beam rafters are the dominant indoor feature.

A plain plywood altar covered in deep green velvet.

A small and time-worn hand woven tapestry wall hanging above the pump organ.

This little country church is a "must see."

Photographed near Kennell, Saskatchewan on March 17, 2020.

Saint Nicholas near Kennell

One of Saskatchewan's most photographed historic churches.  Saint Nicholas sits on the south slope of the picturesque Qu'Appelle Valley.

The church was built in 1900 but due to many parishioners moving away from the area it way dismantled and reconstructed about six miles southwest of its original location in 1910-11.

The cemetery is on the upward slope of the church grounds.

Three ascending rooftop crosses from back to front.

Although built as an Anglican church, it now serves and welcomes a much more diverse community.  Nice place to be baptized, married or laid to rest.

Photographed near Kennell, Saskatchewan on March 21, 2020.