Cottonwood Church

A long abandoned church midway between Simpson and Havre, Montana.

With the madness of spring gardening momentarily under control it was time to head south of the border for a day.  Left home early, and as it happened, reached the Wildhorse border crossing just as they were opening the gate.  I was a regular cross-border traveler at the time so the procedure was quick and painless and was soon off into the wilds of northern Montana for the day.

Cottonwood Church was both the first and last stop of the day.  The photo shown here was taken early in the evening just before heading back across the border for home.  Over eighteen hours had passed by the time I walked in my front door...and what an enjoyable time it had been. 

Photographed on May 21, 2017.

The Saamis Teepee

Out for a drive with Daisy on a sunny winter afternoon...

 

The Saamis Teepee was originally built for the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

Three years later it found a permanent home in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

The tall masts each have a circular storyboard illustrating native culture, a few of which are shown below.

Back in the early '90's when it was announced the teepee would become a permanent installation adjacent to the Trans Canada Highway through town there were many who were opposed to the idea.  Adverse to change and all that I suppose. 

Now, over thirty years later, it stands as a proud and inspirational landmark in Medicine Hat.  It's quite a beautiful sight in and of itself.   And there's a bonus...at night it's all lit up.

Photographed on February 13, 2023.

Uh Oh!

Mama making her way quietly along the far side of the cemetery...

...followed by her youngster.  Uh oh!  Stranger alert!

I'm outta here!

An encounter with wildlife always makes the day a little more special.

Photographed at the Cemetery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Nativity of Saint Mary near Senkiw, Manitoba on August 22, 2022.

Part Three of a Trio: Makinak Schools

A monument memorializing the Makinak Schools.

The first school here was a one-room schoolhouse which was open from 1898-1918.  After twenty years of service it was replaced by a two-storey brick-veneer building that operated from 1918-1971.  

Over seventy years is a good long time for a country school to be open.

The remains of the front steps and foundation of the school.

Information courtesy of the Manitoba Historical Society.

Photographed in Makinak, Manitoba on July 23, 2022.

Part Two of a Trio: Grain Elevator at Makinak

The grain elevator in Makinak, Manitoba.  Safe to say this one is still in use.

Photographed on July 23, 2022.

Part One of a Trio: Holy Trinity at Makinak

Holy Trinity Anglican Church and Cemetery in Makinak, Manitoba.

After an early supper in Dauphin there was plenty of time for an evening road trip. Nice weather, lots of things to see...can't beat that.

Thanks to the Manitoba Historical Society for identifying this little country church.

Photographed on July 23, 2022.

The Old Bridge near Margaret

Chatting with a lady out walking her dog in town was a pleasant break from my drive in the countryside.  It was a chilly morning but as we stood talking the fall sun soon blessed us with some much needed warmth.  

About twenty minutes later when it came time for me to get back on the road she asked, "Have you seen the old bridge?"  

Hadn't seen one quite like this before.  It was only a short walk from the main road but well worth it, don't you think?          

Photographed near Margaret, Manitoba on October 16, 2022.

Іван i Марія

Іван i Марія Капіцький

Вічна пам'ять

Фотографії зроблені на православному кладовищі Святої Марії біля Сандро, Альберта, 9 вересня 2021 року.

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country

The school district was established in 1894 with the schoolhouse seen here operating from 1909 to 1967.

Tamarisk School was photographed near Grandview, Manitoba on July 22, 2022.

Stepping Stones

Some stepping stones placed around a grave in Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery.

It's always a joy to see these little personal touches in a country cemetery.

Tread softly.

Photographed near Smuts, Saskatchewan.