Saint Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church

Many of the country roads aren't plowed in the winter so, by rule of thumb, if no one lives along a particular road it will remain impassable until late spring when it dries up.  Such was the case when I was looking for an old school near Kayville.  My planned route was under a foot of snow so I had to make a lengthy detour through the countryside to get to it.  There wasn't much to see along the way until I came to an intersection where I could just make out the image of a domed church through the blowing snow.  I had completely missed this one when researching the area so it came as a complete and pleasant surprise.

Above is a clear photo taken between wind gusts of Saint Mary's Romanian Orthodox Church.

The gate-sign at the corner of the churchyard. 

Along the side is another gate that leads to the cemetery...

...where there was plenty of loose snow blowing among the headstones.  For me, this photo of the cemetery made the day a worthwhile experience.  Comes across more like an impressionist painting than a photo.    

Looking through the cemetery gate towards the church.  On a calm day I'm sure that spruce tree beside the church is perfectly straight.

A hazy shade of winter.

Photographed near Kayville, Saskatchewan on January 26, 2022.

Wild Sunflowers

Happy flowers!

Photographed near Aquadell, Saskatchewan on July 25, 2021.

Grand Valley Lutheran Church

Overcast...one of those days where the sky is almost the same colour as the snow...black and white but with a gray-blue haze.  

The sign looks new.

A view from the cemetery.

Outside looking in.

Inside the church looks as good as the day it was built.

I love the arched ceiling.

The view from the altar.  The interior is spartan as is the way in Lutheran churches.

Mustard yellow and aqua coloured windows grace both sides of the church. 

Photographed near Twin Valley, Saskatchewan on January 27, 2022.

On the Way to Grand Valley...

Hi Mister!

...I passed a farmyard where I saw a young husky standing at the end of the driveway.  As soon as I stopped and got out of the car she darted between me and the open driver's door where she quickly made herself comfy on the passenger's seat.  Well...I was happy to see her too!  A pleasant surprise but as I'm not a dognapper I needed to figure out how to coax her out of the car.  She was determined to tag along but after some sweet-talking (and opening every door in the car including the back hatch) she decided to join me once again outside.

After a good cuddle she settled down enough that I could get a few pictures of her that were in focus.  She's barely out of puppy phase and quite a sweetie.  A few parting scratches between the ears and she headed back home and I continued on my journey. 

Photographed near Twin Valley, Saskatchewan on January 27, 2022.

One of the Most Beautiful Settings on Earth

Click here:  Friedhof Lauterbrunnen

Heinsburg Heritage Park

A train-themed heritage park on the upper bank of the North Saskatchewan River in Heinsburg, Alberta...includes a water tower, train station caboose and speeder.  Looks like a nice place for a picnic in warmer weather.

Photographed on February 25, 2022.

The Old Stone House

A stone house near Amisk, Alberta.

Comes complete with horse and buckboard...

...and a nice view.

The property is well maintained by some folks in the community.

Photographed on February 24, 2022.

Святая Троица возле Кейвилля

Holy Trinity near Kayville.

The congregation was established in 1915 with the church being built in 1923.  From what little information I could find, a few services are still held at the church each year and the cemetery is still in use.  Even with snow cover it was easy to see the grounds are very well cared for as is the church. 

The dome and cupolas in combination with the cruciform shape and rounded apse define this country church as Eastern European through and through...and next year will be Holy Trinity's centennial.

Situated at the far end of the grounds is a community hall (visible here just on the left-hand side of the road) which I'm sure has been host to many gatherings both joyous and sorrowful over the decades.   

Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church and Cemetery was photographed near Kayville, Saskatchewan on January 26, 2022.

Truax Elevator

My first impression of the elevator in Truax was: "the incredible hulk!"  I've seen lots of elevators on the prairies but never one quite so singularly massive.

It was quickly built in late 1964 to replace the elevator that had recently burned down.  Grain farmers really were the backbone of the community at the time and it was essential that they have an outlet for their harvest, hence some urgency in its construction.  The "flat top" design isn't a common sight so it was a treat to see.  The building was recognized as a Municipal Heritage Property in 2003.

In passing...just east of town I crossed over the remains of the old rail line that runs past the elevator.  As you can see, the rails are gone but for some unknown reason the ties were never pulled up.  It is what it is and now it looks like a good place to take a dog for a walk.

Information courtesy of Canada's Historic Places.

Photographed in Truax, Saskatchewan on January 26, 2022.

Chesterfield S.D. No. 4050

An abandoned schoolhouse near Estuary, Saskatchewan.

It almost defies the laws of gravity.  I'm surprised it hasn't come down in one of our more than frequent wind storms of late.   

Looks a little more "upright" from this angle.

This trail leads the way to the South Saskatchewan River valley.

Photographed on November 5, 2021.