Lunner Norwegian Church

Some photos from a summer road trip through south and central Saskatchewan a few years ago.  

I stopped at Lunner Norwegian Church and Cemetery in the early afternoon on the second day of the trip and was instantly captivated: historic, rustic and charming...can't beat that!  I hope the photos capture the essence of my visit.

The church will celebrate its centennial this year.

Something that rarely happens but was certainly appreciated...each and every day of my week-long trek was filled with blue skies and green grass which in turn encouraged an overall carefree and light heartedness to the journey.  Easily one of the best road trips ever.

Photographed near Southey, Saskatchewan on August 3, 2020.

Easter Sunday

Enjoy your Easter Sunday.

Photographed at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery near Candiac, Saskatchewan on July 28, 2022.

Summer in Angusville

Isn't it such a beautiful sight!

Summer will be here again soon.

Photographed in Angusville, Manitoba on July 26, 2022.

Flag Park

An unexpected but pleasant surprise...the George Phelps Flag Park.

A combination flag and tree planting park in Rossburn, Manitoba.

After taking some photos around town I stopped at the Rossburn Hotel Restaurant for a late breakfast.  The down home cooking came along with friendly visits from a local farmer and the hotel owner.  Highly recommended!

Photographed on July 26. 2022.

Long Shot (Saint John's near Fosterton)

Hazy, almost dreamlike setting...

Saint John's Lutheran Church and Cemetery is near Fosterton, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on February 26, 2018.

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.