Thursday, October 31, 2019

Happy Hallowe'en



An unsigned masterpiece attached to the inner door of Elk School.  A big orange moon, a bat and a witch on a broomstick...can't beat that for a kid's Hallowe'en!

Elk School is a one-room pioneer school near Major, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on December 12, 2017.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

3 B's



A little red barn in the bush with bales.


Sighted near Dry Creek, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on October 25, 2019.


Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Divine Light



A captivating marker against the setting sun at Bodnari Cemetery near Alvena, Saskatchewan.

I love Ukrainian churches and cemeteries and all the iconography and imagery that goes along with them.  Maybe it's because I'm half Ukrainian...maybe it's because they're just beautiful. 

Photographed on October 27, 2019.

Monday, October 28, 2019

2 B's



A little red barn with two bales near Lomond, Alberta.

Photographed on September 22, 2017.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

A Church in the Pasture



Formerly the First Lutheran Church of Lignite, North Dakota.


I talked to someone in town and they thought the church had been moved into the country with hopes of making it into a home.  A dream that didn't come true.


Photographed on November 25, 2018.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

1 B



A huge old barn...


...near Weyburn, Saskatchewan.


Photographed on October 27, 2017.


Friday, October 25, 2019

Pelicans



Pelicans floating down the South Saskatchewan River as it passes through Medicine Hat, Alberta.


Photographed on June 12, 2018.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Handmade



A handmade grave marker for the Anderson family in Bethel Cemetery near Wildrose, North Dakota.

This is an unusual beauty.  As well as being visually stimulating it's also aurally pleasing.  The little feather-shaped pieces are individually attached to the framework by links so they can clink and chime against each other in the wind creating an ever-changing soundtrack for the cemetery.  Pretty nice is an understatement.

Photographed on December 18, 2018.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Saint Joseph's Cemetery



This was the first time I'd visited Saint Joseph's Cemetery when the grass was green.  All my previous stops here had been during late fall or winter and, for one reason or another, I was never very pleased with the photos from those occasions.  A trip to a cemetery is always appealing to me in so many ways and this time the photos were "on the mark."

This pioneer cemetery is a half mile off the main road.  Driving is not an option as there is no trail to the site so walking in is the only way to see it.  Personally, I like these locations that are "out of the way."  The walk in gives me a little time to enjoy the wide open spaces while I anticipate what's ahead.  I think there's also a bit of selfishness involved in that so few people ever get to see these places first hand.

Above is the gate sign for Saint Joseph's Cemetery.


The walk in.  The cemetery sign is visible about midway on the horizon.


A view of the cemetery from under the gate sign.


The main marker that lists those known to be buried here.  Yes, there was a church at one time.



A cast concrete headstone that is still in great condition.  I personally like these but they don't last for very long.


A marble headstone at a child's grave.  This little "lamb" marker will last for centuries.



A few shots of ornamental wrought iron and plain steel crosses with the latter marking "unknown" graves.  I love the hand made decorative crosses and the fact that someone was thoughtful enough to mark the forgotten graves.


The flower detail on the gate sign.


It was now late-morning and the temperature was rising...time to get back to the air-conditioned car.  I can't handle the heat like I used to.

Saint Joseph's Cemetery is in farming country north of Foremost, Alberta.

Photographed on May 9, 2019.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The Virgelle Ferry


One for BW Bandy...

November 27, 2017
The old ferry (retired).

December 1, 2017
The new ferry (in operation during the warmer months).

The Virgelle Ferry crosses the Missouri River and can save up to an hour in travelling time.  I'm usually through the area either too early or too late in the season to take advantage of the trip.  One day I'll get lucky.