The Legacy, in Lion’s Centennial Park Ponoka Alberta, is claimed as the world’s largest saddle bronc statue. Photographed while out for an evening stroll, this roadside attraction is a subject we never planned to share. We shoot a lot of images just for us, as was the case here, even if truth be told, it sometimes takes years before we look at them. Yet still we do it, even if we don’t always know why.
Installed in 2004, the statue is “Dedicated to the strength of the pioneer families”.
Just a short walk away and similarly a monument, but of another sorts, it’s the ghost signage of a Movie Galley rental outlet. This business, by all accounts, closed long ago (a decade?), yet no one has bothered to remove the last vestige. Movie rentals – that was a thing, in what, 2002? Wonder what the charges will be on that long-overdue Notting Hill VHS? Oh, wait, they’re out of business! Score!
Random picks are just that and when selecting, we simply close our eyes and choose one (or a related group) from our collection. They potentially could show anything, and given we’re too lazy to delete bad photos when doing a card dump, they could even be something God-awful embarrassing or cringe worthy. So far it hasn’t happened, but it will. Dodged another bullet here. The only consideration is they be as yet unpublished, but otherwise, all are fair game.
Short Subjects: Reports that are short and sweet in nature. Think silly little snippets, vignettes and things of that sort. 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.
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