Pioneer Acres Museum in Irricana Alberta had a large collection of vintage cameras donated a couple years back and asked the Team to help build a display around them. No problem! Doing this kept us busy during Covid and now that things have opened up again our little project can finally be viewed. You can find our handiwork in the hall on your left when entering the grounds and in the same building as the gift shop. The museum’s a huge place and this our wee contribution.
One camera in the group contained the address of a former owner and the museum allowed us to take it back to its old stomping grounds. It’s been brought home!
We’re looking at a Konica S2, a pretty nice rangefinder from the 1960s, that once belonged to a person that lived in the house seen in back. We don’t know their story or how the camera came into the hands of the collector, whose estate later donated it to the museum, but still, this is all pretty cool!
This was a easy one for us and the target house is mere blocks from BIGDoer world headquarters. Let’s go for a walk! The camera’s back in the display and you can see it along with a wide section of others when you visit. If you’re into old gear, you’ll enjoy it.
We had a little fun and shot a few rolls at the museum using cameras in the display. Look for the photo album and take in some God-awful snapshots! Sadly this S2 jammed and not used. It’s a nice rig and we so wanted to give it a workout.
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.
That’s a neat coincidence!
It sure is and small ones like this happen to us more often than it should. Not complaining.