Let’s face it, winter in this city isn’t always pretty and with each chinook things turn brown and dust covered. A new dump of snow freshens up the scene, but soon after those warm winds melt it all away, and it’s depressing and gloomy again. That’s how it plays out here and while you’d think one would get used to it, that’s not always the case. For us anyway. Sure, we like the mild weather, but what comes with it often negates any benefit. Presenting another drab Calgary winter…sigh.
On a dull March day 2022, a symbol of hope appears in the form of a Boler and gets us thinking of spring. It’s only a month or so away at this point. There we were, out for a stroll and on rounding a corner, it’s a gift presented by the Boler gods. This reminds us Mother Nature is only sleeping and will return soon. These trailers are usually socked away for the winter and only hit the road once things green up. So like us, it’s waiting for spring, glorious spring.
The day’s made a bit brighter thanks to this random chance find.
Boler: A small, cute-as-a-bug fibreglass camping trailer made in Canada in the 1960s to 1980s period and we make a fun game spotting them on road trips or adventures. We’ll also include similar trailers from other manufacturers that are close in appearance, construction or configuration to Bolers.
Patrons whose sponsored piece will be posting soon...
Byron Robb - Rob Pohl & Arturo Pianzola - Don Wilson - Johanna (Connie) Biggart - Dale - Francomedia.com - Brian D - Anonymous - Cindy Miller Reade - Richard Graydon - Margaret Nemeth
We couldn't run this website without your help and it's appreciated!
Beer Parlour Fridays: before Pilsner in Saskatchewan, there was Bohemian or simply Boh. For decades, it was the most popular beer in the province. Incidentally, both Pil and Boh were for decades products of Sick's Brewery. This Boh cap was found in the basement of an old hotel in SW Saskatchewan during a visit by the Beer Parlour Project. It celebrates the beer winning a prestigious best in world award in the late 1960s.
Beer Parlour Fridays: here's a standard issue cast-metal round-top Beer Parlour table. These were supplied through the liquor control board (who heavily regulated the business) and therefore could be found at most drinking establishments. They date back to the 1940s-1960s period and surprisingly, we still see them out there in the wild all the time. Often they were covered in terrycloth to help sop up spilled beer. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
Beer Parlour Fridays: The Tompkin's SK Hotel/Lucky Loon Saloon, previously Woody's. It was just a drive by visit and not a stop on the recent Beer Parlour Project tour of SW Saskatchewan. Had it been open we would have checked it out, however. Celebrating old school watering holes at https://www.BeerParlourProject.com. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
Beer Parlour Fridays: The Wildwood Hotel in Wildwood Alberta, built in the late 1950s to replace one that earlier burned down. Visited in October 2024 by Chris and Rob. Watch for this hotel and others appearing at https://www.BeerParlourProject.com. Celebrating old school watering holes!
Scroll down to the comments for more!👇 _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
A retro, all-metal playground in Burstall Saskatchewan. The rocking horse, aka the tooth chipper or shin buster, was perhaps the most dangerous. Chris says he still has scars from one. But on a summer's day, those slides could get as hot as a baking pan fresh from the oven and gave new meaning to the words toasted buns. If you survived this playground, you were ready to take on the world. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Date: 2024. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
Comments are currently turned off