Stone House

I was north of Sheho, Saskatchewan on my way to Whitesand Lutheran Church when I came across this remarkable stone structure.  I think it was a house...and it must have been pretty grand in its day.

Bonus...the moon was rising.

Photographed on January 6, 2020.

Tree Swallow at Saint Margaret's

A tree swallow in spring at Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery in the Cypress Hills of Alberta.

Photographed on June 8, 2017.

Saint Columba at Tuxford

Saint Columba is a country church near Tuxford, Saskatchewan.  It's over one hundred and twenty years old and looking as lovely as ever.

The old part of the cemetery is to the south side of the church...

...while the more recent burials are placed well in front of and on the northern side.

I always enjoy seeing a country church whether it's something grand or one that is relatively tiny.  Saint Columba is definitely one of the latter.  This little church also takes "delightful" to a whole new level. 

It was good to see the grounds are still maintained and looking fine.

Just as I was leaving some blue sky was beginning to show.

I visited the church a little over two years ago.  You can see those photos here: Saint Columba

Photographed on December 15, 2019.

Holy Trinity at Kahwin

This is only one of the many historic churches to see in Lamont County, Alberta.  My visit here last winter coincided with over a foot of fresh snow and a temperature of -32°C...that's quite a welcoming, and best of all, it was a glorious week-long adventure in a winter wonderland. 

The congregation of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church at Kahwin was formed in 1931.  The building was constructed in 1934 by the highly skilled and renowned church builder John Mnoholitny who was responsible for building over twenty churches across Canada.

The fiftieth anniversary memorial table can be seen on the right hand side in the photo.

The dome and cupolas are hand painted a brilliant bronze colour.

The bell tower with three bells.

The Orthodox crosses with three cross beams make for prominent headstones in the cemetery.

A view of the cemetery with a memorial table dedicated to the pioneers of the Kahwin district.

Information courtesy of Canada's Historic Places and the Canadian Orthodox Historic Project.

Photographed on January 8, 2019.

Snow Geese

A gaggle of snow geese spotted southwest of Bow Island, Alberta.  I always enjoy seeing the snow geese heading south for the winter.  They make a wondrous noise too.

Photographed on November 27, 2016. 

Saint Leonard's Anglican Church Monument

A stone monument located at the former site of Saint Leonard's Anglican Church near Kamsack, Saskatchewan.

The plaque lists those buried here.

I found seven headstones in the brush on the north side of the plot but couldn't locate the eighth.

Several old church and cemetery sites in Saskatchewan are designated "Wildlife Tomorrow" spots and provide habitat for many of the wild animals in the area. When I stopped here yesterday I saw a ferret darting about in the brush but he was too quick for me to get a photo...maybe next time.

Photographed on January 7, 2020.

Doukhobour Prayer Home

I came across this spectacularly beautiful building on my road trip today.

The Doukhobour Prayer House is part of the National Doukhobour Heritage Museum in Veregin, Saskatchewan.

Photographed on January 7, 2020.

"Щасливого Різдва"

"Щасливого Різдва" means "Merry Christmas" in the Ukrainian language.  Orthodox Christians observe Christmas on January 7...that's today!

To join in on the celebration here are some photos of Saint John the Baptist Orthodox Church in the Village of Hyas, Saskatchewan.

The three onion domes dominate the facade of the church.

A close-up of the cross on the central dome.

The bell tower has two bells...that's one more than usual.

A beautiful country church in late afternoon winter-light.  

"Щасливого Різдва!"

Photographed on December 20, 2019.

Grain Elevator at Theodore

A photo from my first road trip of the decade.  That sounds pretty dramatic but never the less, this is the grain elevator at Theodore, Saskatchewan in morning light.  (Less than an hour later I was in the middle of a snowstorm.) 

Photographed on January 6, 2020.

Favourites from the Past Year

September 16, 2019

A selection of personal favourites from 2019.  Several of these locations warrant a feature post...something I'll  get to in time.  Enjoy!

Above is Saints Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church (aka Blumenfeld) near Liebanthal, Saskatchewan.  There is also an outdoor altar,  an outdoor Stations of the Cross, a shrine and cemetery on the grounds.

February 22, 2019

The Echodale School sign is in a remote area west of Hilda, Alberta.  The South Saskatchewan River is not far away.

July 12, 2019

Creston School is a one-room schoolhouse near Shaunavon, Saskatchewan.  It sits on the edge of a valley.

November 17, 2019

Mayfield Cemetery sits on a hilltop about midway between Empress, Alberta and Eatonia, Saskatchewan.  It's a beautiful spot!

July 11, 2019

An abandoned barn in a big green field bordered with yellow and white flowers.  It's not far from Dollard, Saskatchewan.

September 16, 2019

An abandoned L-shaped house in northern Cypress County, Alberta.  It even has a bay window.

October 10, 2019

This "Summer Road Only" is north of the Cypress Hills in Alberta.  It's a nice little detour off the main road.

December 18, 2019

A rather sketchy trail that leads to Rockdell Cemetery in the R.M. of Willowbrook, Saskatchewan.  I love the vapour trails.

October 26, 2019

Just outside of Wakaw, Saskatchewan...the cairn at Saint Mary's Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery on a very cold and snowy day.

October 27, 2019

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary near Alvena, Saskatchewan.  This is one of the most captivating church buildings I've seen in recent times.

July 12, 2019

Another photo from the Dollard, Saskatchewan area...a pronghorn keeping an eye on me while I photograph the old house across the road.

July 30, 2019

The range road that passes by the Observation School sign near Tunstall, Saskatchewan...wide open prairie.

December 15, 2019

Saint Columba Anglican Church was opened in 1898.  It's a treasure to see out in the prairie near Tuxford, Saskatchewan.