Japanese Lilac Tree

Probably the most beautiful Japanese lilac tree I've seen anywhere.  Very showy and the fragrant blooms are intoxicating.  A perennial favourite.

Photographed in New Hillside Cemetery on the outskirts of Medicine Hat, Alberta on July 1, 2024. 

"Butterflies"

New stained glass window above the front door at Saint Margaret's Church.

Photographed on September 15, 2024 near Eagle Butte, Alberta.

A Look Inside the Empress Train Station

About six weeks after my first visit to the Empress Train Station I had the opportunity to revisit and take some photos of the interior. 

Inside it is spacious and inviting.  

The maple floor and all of the woodwork has been refinished and look like new.

The open door is on the town side of the station.

Enjoy the prairie landscape while you wait for your train.

A vintage Royal typewriter.

The double doors leading to the baggage/freight area.

Notice the cutout on the lower corner of the door on the left.  That was to let the resident cat access to the freight room to catch mice (which I'm sure were plentiful).

A few details.

A piece of the original railway track that ran past the station.

The Empress Train Station has been lovingly restored to its former glory.  Stop by for a visit.

Photographed in Empress, Alberta on July 17, 2017.

Empress Train Station

On my travels I've seen a number of historical train stations in various states of repair, disrepair, abandonment and restoration.  This one in Empress, Alberta is obviously of the latter and is my personal favourite.

It is the only Canadian Pacific Railway station in Alberta that utilizes this particular design (known as Plan X-12)...quite a handsome design all around.  

The roofline is decorated with finials bearing a wild rose design.  I'm not sure what the tall decoration is called but it seems to be the pinnacle of the building.  This is the only train station I've seen in Alberta that utilizes these lovely decorations. 

A peek through the windows.

Baggage and goods were handled through the double doors on the west end of the station.  This is also where farmers would drop off their milk and cream cans.  (An aside, I can remember going into town with my dad to drop off milk and cream cans at the Midale, Saskatchewan train station when I was five or six years old.) 

The eaves on the east end of the building are over six feet wide.  Passengers waiting for an afternoon train in the summer months would always be able to relax in the shade of the oversize eaves.

Another aside...all the historical photos of the Empress Station show it painted in that deep red-brown colour that is indicative of C.P.R. stations.  But, when I talked to a few people responsible for the restoration, they informed me that as the old paint was being scraped off the siding, they discovered the original colour was a soft creamy-yellow with forest green trim.  That's definitely a favourite colour combination...pleasant and inviting.        

I can't believe it's been over seven years since my visit here.  I must make an attempt to revisit.  

Photographed on June 2, 2017.

A Beautiful Place Out in the Country

Saint Elias Russo Greek Orthodox Church was photographed near Pakan, Alberta on September 18, 2021.

End of Time

Photographed at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery near Eagle Butte, Alberta on June 2, 2024.

Saint Margaret's

Lots of spring rain followed by summer heat means lots of groundskeeping at Saint Margaret's.  I have to admit it's been hard to keep up with things this season but so far so good. 

Definitely a beautiful place out in the country.

Photographed near Eagle Butte, Alberta on July 6, 2024.

Deux Mois en Trois Minutes

Sun Bath

A prairie rattler enjoying a sunbath.

I have had a few startling encounters with them over the years but...

They won't hurt you in any significant way so, please don't hurt them or run them over.  They deserve a long and full life too.  

Photographed near Mayfield Cemetery in Saskatchewan on July 14, 2020.

Pink and Yellow

Pink vetch and yellow clover in a green pasture against a sky of blue.  Something I look forward to every summer...simple pleasures.

Photographed near Tothill, Alberta on July 6, 2024.