Moonlight

Photographed on December 2, 2017.

Big Stone Township School

When I see a sky like this I know I'm "home," so to speak.  I love the prairies!

This is Big Stone Township School near Corinth, North Dakota.

Flagpole is still standing straight and true.

I looked around all sides of the school but could see no sign of electricity ever being installed here.

Windows on both the west and north sides.

Late afternoon looking south...four more days and it will be the shortest day of the year.

Photographed on December 18, 2018.

Humboldt Water Tower

The historic water tower at Humboldt, Saskatchewan.

The best view of the city at about ninety-five feet high.

An information sign at the sight of the water tower.

A small triptych of stained glass windows on the wall of the original entryway to the tower.

The catwalk.

Photographed on March 21, 2020.

Road Trip

Some favourite photos from a week-long road trip in central Alberta this past February.

February 19, 2020:
First photo of the day...the New Brigden Water Tower was built by the Canadian National Railway in 1925.  Extensive rehabilitation to "straighten and correct" the structure was done a few years ago.  It's a landmark of some renown in the area and well worth a visit.

February 19, 2020:
Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a grand brick building in the small town of Chauvin.  I love the stamped tin siding on the steeple.

February 20, 2020:
Winona School District #1927 sign near Oxville.  I've seen dozens upon dozens of school signs in the countryside but each one is special in its own way...a recognition of the past is always appreciated.

February 20, 2020:
My last stop for the day...a country cemetery near the town of Islay.  I really wanted to venture in to take a closer look at the headstones but the snow was deep and it had been a long day.  Next time.

February 21, 2020:
This tall budded cross marks the site of Saint Mikhail Cemetery near Myrnam.  The cemetery is about a quarter mile off the road and the only way in was on foot through the snow drifts.  Many of the burials here were victims of the flu epidemic in 1918-1919 and most of those graves were marked with wooden crosses.  Those markers have long since rotted or burned up in prairie fires so many of the graves here are lost.  The government records indicate that only about forty people are buried here when in fact there are well over one hundred.  As is obvious from the cross marker design and cemetery name it was established by Ukrainian settlers.

February 21, 2020:
The central dome of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity topped with an Orthodox cross in Myrnam.

February 22, 2020:
A roadside sign for New Kiew Holy Ascension Ukrainian Catholic Church and Cemetery northeast of Vegreville...

February 22, 2020:

...and an icy-blue, cello-shaped headstone in the cemetery.

February 22, 2020:

The former courthouse in Vegreville...now an administration building.  These old courthouses look so "official."

February 23, 2020:

A large stone monument at Lanuke Cemetery just outside of Two Hills.  There is a covered outdoor picnic area here...my kind of place.

February 24, 2020:

As soon as I stopped here I knew I was in for a treat.  I stepped out of the car and about six hundred feet down the road this dog started running towards me with tail in full wag.  She was great company while I photographed the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Dormition of Saint Mary of Sich-Kolema near Vegreville.  Nice to have unexpected friendly four-legged company.

February 24, 2020:

The cross on top of the central dome at Ascension of Jesus Christ Catholic Church - Kopernick Parish near Holden.  The light was just right to capture this striking main feature.

February 25, 2020:

On my way home I stopped at Castor to see the grain elevator.  I can't remember the last time I saw one painted this colour.  It seemed to be in pretty good condition.

February 25, 2020:

Next to last photo of the day...a big willow tree covered with hoar frost at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Cemetery just outside of Castor.  The wind blowing little bits of the frost out of the trees almost looks like falling stars in the bright blue sky.

Hope you enjoyed the trip.

New Red Roof

This past winter I was driving along a country road in central Saskatchewan when I glimpsed this big red barn out of the corner of my eye.  I slid to a stop on the icy road and reversed my course for a few photos.

A young farmer on a snowmobile rode out to the end of the driveway to greet me.  We talked for a few minutes and he said that he had just had the roof on the barn replaced and that refinishing the siding was next on his "to do" list.  It was good to hear that "knocking it down" hadn't been an option.

The workmanship on the roof is second to none...nice to see there are still good craftsmen out there.

Photographed on a freezing cold day near Porcupine Plain, Saskatchewan on March 18, 2020.

Saint Elizabeth's near Parkerview

This is Saint Elizabeth's Roman Catholic Church near Parkerview, Saskatchewan.

It was abandoned long ago and is now surrounded by native aspen trees.

A diamond-shaped window on the back wall of the church.

From this angle the bell tower looks upright...

...from this angle, not so much.

Someone still maintains the small cemetery east of the church.

The church bell has been mounted in a small bell tower beside the steel cross church marker.

The marker includes a convex glass disc with the name of the church.

In better days it must have been a pleasing sight painted creamy yellow with green trim.

Photographed on January 6, 2020.

I Did the Best I Could

A grave marker at the Friedens United Cemetery for Barry Leroy Lausen...husband, father and grandpa.

"I did the best I could
Stop in again, I'll still be here."

Photographed near Hanna, Alberta on November 14, 2018.

Alberta Wheat Pool

The grain elevator at Kirriemuir, Alberta.

The silver-coloured tin panelling together with what looks like a fresh coat of green paint create a stark but attractive contrast.

The sky was gray or white with light rain throughout the day.  Thankfully the roads didn't get muddy.

I like this photo where the big silver annex dominates the scene.

Photographed on October 22, 2019.

Maltby S.D. No. 3777

An abandoned one-room schoolhouse near Arbuthnot, Saskatchewan.

This area was settled mainly by Catholic French immigrants.

The chimney is in remarkably good condition.  Usually chimneys on old schools are made of red brick but not this one.

Some bales in the background.

There are a number of pioneer schoolhouse signs of similar design in the area.

 The school yard has been conserved as a wildlife habitat.  Wild animals need a place to live but watch out for skunks!  

Photographed on August 10, 2018.