These random picks are some great fun and surprising in that you never know what will get posted. So far (knock on wood) it’s nothing embarrassing either and for that we thank our lucky stars! Here’s what we do, close our eyes (figuratively) and pick a card dump, subfolder and then finally an as yet unpublished image or two. Today, we’re in Millarville Alberta a little south of Calgary and we’re taking in the Millarville Races held each Canada Day (except Covid years).
It’s a great event, betting on the horses, drinking a cold one and simply relaxing. It’s two bucks a bet for us, per person, and in the end we often come out even. But then we’ve had a great time and that’s worth something.
The First Nation’s Riders are a combination of fearless and crazy and we’re not sure which is in play more and they do it all minus a saddle. Then there’s the side-saddle ladies race, scary in its own right. How it the world can you hang on when not straddling? And then the regular races play out and it’s hours and hours of good times for cheap. We don’t take many photos and ones like this are usually just for us anyway, but yet he we are showing you these. Please enjoy. That old truck’s cool too.
Short Subjects: reports that are short and sweet in nature. It’s stuff interesting enough in itself, but not deserved of the full on BIGDoer.com treatment. Think silly little snippets, vignettes and likewise things of that sort and you’ll be in and out in no time.
Beer Parlour Project Friday🍺: The Thorsby Hotel, built in 1929 & a photo by the manager's 7 years old daughter. More below 👇
Agreema politely asked if she could shoot a few photos & we obliged. A dark environment like this is very unforgiving & the camera she used quite temperamental, so she did an amazing job. We're out of work as photographers! Great food at this place, BTW!
Beer Parlour Project Friday🍺: The Tofield Hotel, built in 1912 & patron Lana, shot on Rob's vintage view camera. More below 👇
She's a sweetie & met her late husband at the hotel. The building from the alley side hasn't changed much since being built but the front brickwork is now covered by siding.
Crossley slides (unrestored), an unnamed fellow snacking on Sun-Maid Raisins - mountains of BC - 1950s. More below 👇
The distinctive red box is instantly recognizable! The location is listed as the Whitewater Valley & we think it's in the Sandon area close to Retallack. Perhaps some of our friends out that way can confirm. Sandon B.C., would Hal know? Crossley frequented Sandon so the location makes sense. Note the (mine?) road cutting across the slope in back. The slide is dated 1955 in the catalogue but 1956 on the frame.
Shout out to: Jason Sailer. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
An old section of Highway #6 (BC) in the 1970s & 2021 - it's the second most shared post in our entire history! More below 👇
The original photo shows the road about the time it was decommissioned. This was always a troublesome section & so it got replaced by a new route further up the hill. While it hasn’t seen a car in eons, it remains overall in reasonable shape, save for some rockfall in places like this. These came down about ten years ago.
Happy Holidays from Off the Beaten Path w' Chris & Connie. Thanks for your continued support & encouragement. More 👇
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CPKC's Holiday Train from a few nights ago. Rather than fight the crowds to see it, we wanted something a little more intimate. A bit of hike, but we brought mulled wine to help us keep warm while waiting. It's not a great shot & originally we had no intent to share it here, but what the heck.
Trainspotting is like fishing. It's not about the catch but rather getting out. If a train comes by, great, but if not, we had each other & a chance to get away from the day's problems. That's a BIG win in our books...even if we did freeze our bottoms off. _______
Out exploring with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
I think we saw you there!
Did the yellow hat give it away? Haha!
The Millarville races are a great time and we look forward to them returning.
Us too!