In & Around Hanna

In our fast paced world, sometimes we drop a couple gears and slow it down. In posts like this it’s not so much about what we see and photograph, nor the story behind them, but rather the simple and pure joy of getting out and roaming aimlessly. And if we capture a few nice pics great…but enjoying ourselves is all that matters. Rarely are we given the opportunity to just be “us” and let our hair down (if you know Chris, there’s a joke in there) and not go all-in as we more often do. Here, uncomplicated and beautiful, it’s random scenes from one night in Hanna Alberta. Enjoy…

1-2) In behind our motel, Maggie’s is part car wash, part laundromat. The place has an almost abandoned feel about it. It’s about 9:30pm, we’ve escaped the confirms of our room, the light’s soft and pleasing, and there’s not a single person about. Nate Horner’s a politician and the congrats is in regard to a seat just won. Here in rural Alberta, we can safely assume he’s neither Liberal nor New Democrat (in fact he’s a United Conservative).

3) Standing at New Life Community Fellowship looking across to another church that appears to be no longer used. Or perhaps it’s been converted to a residence? It’s hard to tell, but there are no signs nor markings to suggest it’s still a place of worship. Our research here was half-baked at best, but it may be an old United Church originally (and that castellated tower was a sometimes element used on their buildings) and later an Alliance Church, with each congregation moving on to newer digs at some point. We’re open to corrections.

4) Bethel Evangelical Missionary Church not far away, also rocks the castellated towers. But they have two! The light’s only getting better. And still, it’s dead quiet with no signs of other people, the vibe we so love.

5) Hanna has taken on the goose as a mascot of sorts. I suppose that’s because the town was along Canadian National’s (earlier Canadian Northern’s) “Goose Lake” Line. The railway was built in the 1910s and was abandoned about a dozen years ago. This here goose is at Hanna’s airport a few clicks from town.

6) At Hanna International! The airport (code CEL4 ) here consists of one paved runway (and perhaps others in the past) and a few hangers. We chatted with a fellow cleaning up one of the latter before capturing this pic. They get much better sunsets in Eastern Alberta than further west out our way. And we’re super jealous.

7) This is a Cessna Model 150, one of the most commonly seen personal aircraft ever made. They made them by the tens of thousands, across numerous sub-models, from 1958-1977. They’re simple in design and easy to service and fly and because of this, they remain popular decades after being discontinued. This one is a 150m and so a late model example from the last three years of production. Tie downs keep the plane from getting away should it get windy.

8) At Cactus Corner, a truck stop down the road. All day breakfast! And coffee by the tank load! This is home.

9) Downtown, an artist works busily on a mural. We chatted and watch them work and then let them be. I guess it was a commission with a tight deadline. Lots of light here!

10) An old farm, standing alone in a field. Pure mood here. This one we hope to come back to once we track down the land owner. It’s pretty darn special looking.

11) The old Seymour Hotel, closed for many years now. We’d love to see the inside and will be working towards that end. We know who owns it but have yet to find the time to put in the request. Years earlier: The Seymour and New National have served their last drinks.

12) On display at the Hanna Pioneer Museum & Village, this here old caboose. Street lights behind the photographer cause many shadows. There’s plans to have us go into the facility, once the weather’s better, and do a “Museum Tour” for sharing on this website and other who republish our work. Looking froward to take in the place.

And with it dark and our energy exhausted, it’s back to our home on the road where we welcome sleep with open arms. We are human after all! Night everyone..

They’re saying…

”I’ve always enjoyed your unique perspectives and photography!” Shelley Hiebert.

That same weekend…
Canadian Civil Defence Museum’s Alsask Dome.

More like this post..
Wandering Cranbrook – restless are we.
Wandering Historic Downtown Coleman – a former coal mining town.
Wandering Beiseker – one fine evening.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date of Adventure: April 2019.
Location: Hanna, AB.
Article references and thanks: Connie for the inspiration,

1) View from a wash bay.

2) Congrats Nate Horner!

3) One corner, two churches.

4) Bethel Evangelical Missionary Church.

5) The goose is loose.

6) At Hanna International!

7) Cessna sunset.

8) Kings of the Road are found here.

9) Working well into the night.

10) This picturesque old house.

11) Empty and forgotten, it’s the Seymour.

12) At the Hanna Museum.