We use the Red Deer River Valley as a base of operations for many adventures. The area has all the things we love, historic stuff (going back eons!), much fabulous scenery, interesting people to hang with and great everything. Then there’s the free crash pad we get to use when there (thanks Rob). We’re not proud and any floor will do. This means fun in the badlands comes cheap and now there’s more money for VLTs!
Some evenings, perhaps after a busy day of exploring with friends, we like to go for a little walk somewhere quiet and peaceful. It’s a great way to unwind and as we often do, the camera’s along for the ride. Whether we use it or not varies, but it’s there. This time we’re in little East Coulee, a former coal mining town that still looks the part. It’s a section of the valley untouched by time and usually come twilight it’s all ours. This is another silly little post that means nothing really, just some random snaps captured for fun.
An Evening in East Coulee: just wandering about. With Chris Doering & Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
Sloan’s Garage: Here’s an old service station that operated from the 1930s to perhaps mid-1970s or thereabouts. Now it’s home to a firm that makes dinosaurs – not some Jurassic Park genetic cloning lab (although that would be epic), but instead models and museum displays. While covered in modern siding, underneath it’s very much the original building. It makes an appearance in a some God awful poor man’s Mad Max film that inspired this post: Firebird 2015AD Then & Now.
Long ago, a service station.
Little Miner’s Cottages: East Coulee is full of them, modest houses, some no bigger than a two car garage. There was a number of coal mines in the immediate area and it’s here the worker’s called home. Humble all, a number are still lived in, even if the mines are long gone (along with most of the old time miners), some are used as seasonal retreats and a few are presently empty. They’re all simple in form and so cute and charming. That blue one is a real stand out!
Scroll down for more photos and to comment.
Bye-Bye Blues Bus: That film was shot in the historic community of Rowley, a bit north of the Valley. Everyone who visits that restored ghost town talks about the movie but it seems no one has actually seen it. Anyway, we have and it’s not a bad couple hours wasted. Making an appearance in the flick is this purple bus, now on display at the East Coulee School Museum. Rowley’s home to a monthly event (except in 2020…thanks Covid) that we’ve attended many times. Here: A Rowley State of Mine. Pizza Night is always a blast and we look forward to doing it again once normalcy returns. If it ever does.
East Coulee School Museum: It’s a fine old building from the town’s early days (East Coulee was founded in the late 1920s) and is full of all kinds of interesting displays taking us back in time. That it’s a fair sized place reminds us just how big East Coulee was at one time. A really epic documentary premiered at the East Coulee School Museum a few years back. This: Forgotten Prairie. Also here’s a quick ‘n’ dirty tour of the building itself: East Coulee School Museum.
There’s some old time playgound equipment here, hard core stuff that can hurt you bad, including a perennial favourite with young trouble making boys; what others called a see-saw or teeter-tooter, that for us was the “rocket launcher”. Simple rule: get the other kid airborne before they did the same to you. If they hit the crossbar on the way down or took out the jewels, all the better. Only one can walk away. And the slide, face first of course. Cuts and abrasions, bumped noggins and even broken arms were par for the course. So many scars, so many good times.
Old Businesses: There are remains of a few in town, the former hotel closed some years years back, something that looks like an ex-car or farm equipment dealership – we’re not sure. We looked up old records and came up empty as to its lineage, but we really didn’t have much time so we’ll save it for another project. Still, it’s a cool looking building. Over on Second there’s Groundwork Natural Science Education, a book publisher housed in what appears to be a former store of some kind. Hard to believe this town once had everything and was busy as you could imagine.
Don’t Stop Believing: The sign that always brings a smile and around the corner, some old truck in retirement.
Lots of little miner’s cottages in town.
Random Stuff: Along the Red Deer River, it’s more peace and quiet. More miner’s homes, some dark, some with signs of life. They’re all sooo tiny. Then there’s a lame selfie. The moon lighting the way, we’re hanging the ghosts of the past. Doubling back, it’s a shining light. We’re home! For the weekend that is.
Pull up a lawn chair, grab a cold one, sit around the fire and talk the night away, about this and that and nothing in particular. And as an ending to a busy day, it’s about perfect.
I grew up in Cambria in the Drumheller valley with my grandmother and my brother. We lived in a coal miners house that my gran raised 7 kids in. It had been added onto and we actually got running water and gas in the house when I was in junior high. It was an incredible place to grow up.
What a cute little cottage! It reminds me of a tiny house on a city lot in my old neighborhood in South Vancouver. The lot was heavily overgrown with trees and bushes which partially hid the house. It was inhabited by an accordingly tiny old lady named Mrs. Ferry. She was always very kind to us kids who went past her house but mostly kept to herself. She and her abode had an inexplicable otherworldliness to them, which made me wonder if her name was actually Mrs. Faerie!
Always a pleasure to host you guys….! Hopefully we can do it again soon… and then I’ll take you up on that offer of a beer. Sadly the town is in the process of undertaking some sort of flood mitigation project. Seems many of those old houses down along the river will go, and a large berm will be built, spoiling things in my humble opinion….
And I’ll bring the good stuff…Old Milwaukee! Oh, I thought the berm already in place was enough. It’ll be a shame to lose any of those old miner’s places, but it’s progress I guess.
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
So charming.
These little mining towns always are.
I grew up in Cambria in the Drumheller valley with my grandmother and my brother. We lived in a coal miners house that my gran raised 7 kids in. It had been added onto and we actually got running water and gas in the house when I was in junior high. It was an incredible place to grow up.
Seven kids? In a miner’s house yet. Things sure were different back then. Thanks for sharing.
The original tiny houses. Lol
They don’t get much smaller.
My dad was a miner in East Coulee, he built our house and it was nice to see this as I don’t see that much on east coulee.
Mining was pretty much all you could in that town. Happy we could stir up some memories.
Very cool. I love learning information like this
We’re so pleased to share it with you.
Interesting!!
It’s what we do.
Such a fascinating little town. Sure have enjoyed exploring it and for a year or so I thought I should move there. Check out the real estate prices.
I bet some places could be had for cheap.
My immigrant grandparents lived in Drumheller in the late 30s .. Worked in coal mines. Then went farming in the 40s
Hard to say what’s a harder occupation. Both mean endless days toiling away for little return.
Thank you for sharing!…
You know it’s our pleasure!
East Coulee, nice little town.
No argument there!
What a cute little cottage! It reminds me of a tiny house on a city lot in my old neighborhood in South Vancouver. The lot was heavily overgrown with trees and bushes which partially hid the house. It was inhabited by an accordingly tiny old lady named Mrs. Ferry. She was always very kind to us kids who went past her house but mostly kept to herself. She and her abode had an inexplicable otherworldliness to them, which made me wonder if her name was actually Mrs. Faerie!
Vancouver has (had) many neighbourhoods with tiny houses. Recall that as a kid.
Love this area. We farm not to far from there.
Yes, we recall you saying that. What a cool area you live in.
This is my husband’s grandparents house (with the caption: “They’re all so tiny”). It has three bedrooms believe it or not! Still owned by the family.
How cool is that! Three bedrooms? Wow, it sure doesn’t look big enough for that.
Small prairie towns nearly anywhere had some neat little houses. Despite their size they were always homey!
It’s amazing how small some were, quite the contrast to today’s typical monster houses.
My uncle Mike work in the mines, and had a small home in Rosedale. I can remember as a child going to visit the ” doll house”.
Miner’s cottages were always small and cozy.
I have family out that way.
You’re not the first to say that.
Fascinated by this little town , visit often.
Us too!
We visit East Coulee every summer!
It’s sure busier in summer.
My sister lives in East Coulee. She’s on the Main Street facing the highway beside the old store.
It’s such a charming place and would wander it endlessly.
My family and I have driven through this neat little town. You can visit the old school house still and go inside*
The school museum is an awesome place and was where this documentary, which we appear in, premiered: Forgotten Prairie
Interesting article, keep up the good work
Thank you, we will! Glad you liked the piece.
I don’t think I’d want to see the grille of that Brigadier bearing down in my rear view mirror.
That’s one big grille!
Always a pleasure to host you guys….! Hopefully we can do it again soon… and then I’ll take you up on that offer of a beer.
Sadly the town is in the process of undertaking some sort of flood mitigation project. Seems many of those old houses down along the river will go, and a large berm will be built, spoiling things in my humble opinion….
And I’ll bring the good stuff…Old Milwaukee! Oh, I thought the berm already in place was enough. It’ll be a shame to lose any of those old miner’s places, but it’s progress I guess.