Here’s a faded sign from long ago, oddly left behind when the business it was connected to closed decades back. Hidden away and only visible from the alley, we suspect few people even notice. We’re at a place once called Leong’s Food Store in Calgary’s Southwest and they operated out...
Historic buildings and vintage metal are equally a passion for us and this piece has both. Presenting historic Eamon’s Garage, a mid-century gas station at a small town museum and kindly showing up to pose in front, vintage rides belonging to members of the car club that own the building....
A series of ponds mark the site of the Birnwell Mine in Bow City Alberta. These scars from long ago are reminders of a time when men and machine toiled away in search of coal. There’s no buildings left behind, no old equipment either and it’s just these curious water...
A glance at the clock tells us it’s time to gather up our gear up and head on out. Tonight’s an extra special one (even by our standards) and we’re on assignment doing something a little bit different than usual for us. Our job this evening is a culture and...
We really know nothing about our subject, this seemingly abandoned boat but we thought the photos were so nice we just had to share them. You mean we’re not going to blab on endlessly? Just photos? How unlike you! Nowhere close to water and going by the name of Pricess...
Turn a corner and there’s Boler. Cruise down the highway and there’s a Boler. Take an after dinner walk and there’s a Boler. Each and every time that’s how it plays out and we never see them coming. Think of it like fishing and instead of a rod and reel,...
It’s one of the oldest buildings we’ve explored in these parts and dates back to well before Alberta was even a province. Yessiree, stuff from that time, like what’s seen here, is ancient by local standards. Long ago, it straddled the Canada/US border and is presently found at a museum...
On longer road trips we’ll often take a mid-day break and have a picnic in some small town (and we’ll purchase eats local if we can). We’ll search out a park or green space, plop ourselves down for a half hour and just relax. A great recharge from the road,...
It’s a hike short and sweet, taking in a little bump in the Kananaskis Foothills. While there’s roughly 80 stories of height gain, it’s really nothing more than a little stroll in the woods. Even the slowest hikers (so us) can be in and out in the blink of an...
by Chris Doering · Published April 21, 2021 · Last modified June 27, 2021
We’re a bit of south of Calgary in Vulcan County and visiting a quaint little village by the name of Champion Alberta. There’s lots of charm and personality here and in the pleasing light found near sunset we simply wander about with a curious eye. That’s our MO – put...
Little Dorothy Alberta has flirted with ghost town status for a while, but seems reluctant to concede, with few hardy folks still calling it home. Of interest to the history minded there’s a couple cute little churches to take in and barely hanging on, the old grain elevator down by...
We’ve passed by Irricana United Church a gazillions time on the road to adventure but never stopped to take a closer look. Silly us. Then one day, after coming back from a gig at a local museum (the Team loves to volunteer) and with the sky soft pastel hues, comes...
This curious structure is unlike any other in Calgary. Looking more the part of a military installation, it’s a school built in style trendy at the time in certain parts of the world but never widely adopted here. They call it Brutalism and it’s one of a handful of buildings...
A popular loop hike in the Elbow River area of Kananaskis, join up with us and take in the combined Sulphur Springs-Elbow Valley trails. Accessible any time of the year it’s a good choice come the off season when options can be limited. No matter when, prepare for a little...
Whether we’re travelling in town on local business, on extended road-trips for fun or even on assignment (rare these days thanks to the pandemic), we’re on the lookout for vintage metal. Be it an old school day to day driver or restored classic, we play no favourites. Be it never...
We came to look at the classic Cadillac we saw down this alley. Old cars are another passion (of many) and so if we see one we’ll often stop to check it out. With this chance spotting came a pleasant surprise and unseen from our original position it’s something special...
At the time of its removal a year or so ago it was the oldest such structure in Calgary and without a doubt the most challenging to navigate. With steep stairs and a narrow walkway, it was not for the timid. We’re speaking of the 14th St Pedestrian Bridge, now...
Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions’ tour trains make a regular stop in Big Valley, a charming little community rich in history. Front and centre, it’s the railway station, over a century old, that welcomes those visiting no matter how they arrive. Come by car, or more awesomely by rail, the building...
We’re enamoured with small towns. They’re always full of charm and character, always nicely wrapped up in a tiny little package, so every chance afforded us we’ll get to know one. We’ll simply stroll about, taking in what they have to offer while always being respectful of anyone who lives...
The Prairie Creek – Powderface Creek Loop is a time-honoured hike in Kananaskis that can be done pretty much any time of the year. Taking in two roughly-parallel valleys, there’s a hop up and over a low wooded bump that separates the two (via Prairie Link) just beyond the half...
When we get busy Then & Nows are sadly the first to be put on the back burner. Of all things we do they’re often the most joy (sometimes frustration too), but eat up a lot of precious time and resources. Still, we’ve continued to shoot them with the hope...
A hole in the wall eatery serving “Chinese & Western Cuisine” (as the old signs often advertised) is a small town staple. Usually housed in some heritage building they offer unpretentious fare, nothing remotely gourmet, but yummy all the same. Think kitschy decor, budget prices and generous portions. Think bottomless...
The Parkdale neighbourhood of west-central Calgary was founded in the 1910s. Most growth, however, happened in the 1950s and in support of this a modest-sized business district sprang up in the vicinity of Parkdale Crescent NW along 3rd Avenue. Today, a few commercial buildings from the old days can be...
We’re got a thing for retro motels and seek them out at every opportunity. It’s a nostalgia rush and for the full immersive experience we often make them our home on road trips. For those on a tight budget (so us) they’re usually the best choice too and if this...
Peeking through the fence @ Calgary International we’re here to see some very specialized aircraft. Able to handle a number of demanding roles, it’s aerial firefighting which they excelled and where most were kept busy. Presenting the legendary Canadair CL-215, a unique design for a unique job. Whereas most “water...
Sometimes a wrong turn becomes a right turn. Zigging when we should have zagged leads us down a dead-end road in little Exshaw Alberta to a most pleasant surprise. We’re in search of a spot with a clear view of the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks nearby with the hopes of...
by Chris Doering · Published January 20, 2021 · Last modified April 16, 2021
Winding down this three-part series, here’s a final look at Historic Wolseley Saskatchewan. Over a wonderful summer weekend, we randomly walked about taking in what ever old buildings caught our eye and there’s certainly no shortage here. This installment has us taking in the area in and around downtown, a...
Making a broad loop around the little foothills community of Bragg Creek, this trail will have you pounding the pavement in town and at other times you’ll be deep in the woods. It’s a real nice mix and is super easy in terms of effort. It’s still a good number...
Here’s something not uncommon out in rural areas back in the day, a hand pump from which you got water. That’s how it was done for many folks and short of dipping a pail in a nearby river or pond, was about as simple as it got. Need some good...
Here’s a tour of two massive machines, along with all that remains of a third, that once worked at a Central Alberta coal mine. Look up, look waaaay up, they’re freaking huge! Wide angle lens are mandatory should you visit and if you’re not thoroughly impressed by their sheer size,...
Kenopsia: "the eerie atmosphere of a place that's usually bustling with people but now vacant or abandoned."
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