Out near Wetaskiwin Alberta there’s a wonderful attraction you and the family can visit, home to a collection of vintage train equipment…and who doesn’t like that stuff? Drop in, say hi, explore the grounds, go for a ride around the loop and make it part of a grand day. On… (Search hits: 0 in title, 6 in body, 0 in comments.)
…Challenge (Reworked edition), and we’re armed with an old photo and in search of a mystery location in Calgary. It’s in the city and that’s all we know. We don’t plan to simply find the target, but also hoped to shoot an image similarly composed, then chat about the whole… (Search hits: 0 in title, 5 in body, 0 in comments.)
…seen. Many quaint old homes are passed, and a few that are modern and of dubious design (as always, in our opinion); we’ll see churches too, lots interesting little details, and some trains. Now that’s a good mix. Grabbing a meal at a local truck stop is mandatory if you… (Search hits: 0 in title, 4 in body, 1 in comments.)
Here in Calgary, alongside always busy Crowchild Trail, on the grounds of the Military Museums, there’s a plane. It’s not just any old thing with wings, but a fighter jet, a CF-5 Freedom Fighter, stuffed and mounted to appear as though streaking off into the heavens. Whoosh! Here, it’s a… (Search hits: 1 in title, 7 in body, 0 in comments.)
…While the building wears “Pool” colours, old Alberta Pacific lettering can be seen on one side, a very faint Federal Logo on another and on a third, the that of its last commercial owner, Agricore. It’s got some identity issues. The building, and the other wood one discussed, are two… (Search hits: 0 in title, 4 in body, 3 in comments.)
…civilization anywhere, and still be close to all the amenities a film company needs. Experienced production crew, materials, extras, a major airport, a major highway, they’re all a stone’s thrown away. CL Western Town: a series of film sets seen in numerous movies and TV productions. Researched, Written and Photographed… (Search hits: 0 in title, 6 in body, 3 in comments.)
…in downtown present day are pretty featureless slabs of glass, there’s a couple standouts. Telus Sky, completed about a year ago, is that twisty building (twisty: an official architectural term) on the left side of the photo and is perhaps the most unique tower design wise. They actually put some… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…It marked the entrance to “Eamon’s One Stop Tourist Service Centre”, which included a gas station/garage, restaurant and as advertised there for all to see, a bungalow camp (aka motor court, or in today’s world, a motel). Sitting along what was then the main route west out of Calgary, it… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…the engaging write ups and pictures…you two are a national treasure!” Bonnie & Gerald McDonald. Another comparison that used a photo from Harry… Downtown Viking Alberta (w Harry Palmer). Did someone say grain elevators… Grain Elevators of Arrowwood Alberta (x2). Grain Elevators at Carbon Alberta. For Jim… A tribute to… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
Today we’ll be looking at Pella Mennonite Church found along a dusty Saskatchewan backroad. It’s just over a century old and for more than half that time has stood abandoned. During an oddly warm and snow-free March of 2021, we pay this modest little building a visit and get to… (Search hits: 0 in title, 6 in body, 0 in comments.)
…last shots, jump in the car, speed away, a little diversion behind us. Told you, we’re easily distracted. Supersized earth moving equipment! Draglines and Shovels – Reynolds Alberta Museum. Diplomat Mine Site. Bigfoot and Brutus (from afar). If you need any more information on what we talked about here, by… (Search hits: 0 in title, 4 in body, 2 in comments.)
…can get absolutely nuts), keeping us from having to fight for a space. Sanity intact, head west and at the last house hit the trail and turn left. Canmore Loop: an easy hike with a bit of history in the mix. A Chris and Connie Adventure! Stroll along at a… (Search hits: 0 in title, 5 in body, 1 in comments.)
…parent company was a luxury line, while this one catered to those who wanted the Airstream experience without completely breaking the bank. Argosy 28, a vintage motorhome and a poor man’s Airstream. Researched, written and photographed by Chris Doering and Connie Biggart (BIGDoer.com/Synd) Still, an Argosy was more Airstream than… (Search hits: 0 in title, 5 in body, 1 in comments.)
…owners don’t always know everything about what they have, for example the exact year a vehicle is from or its lineage, and since at best we can only fake it, we’ll speak in generalities in regards to some things. Anyway, we don’t want to appear too stuffy. See an error?… (Search hits: 0 in title, 3 in body, 0 in comments.)
…old gritty charm. You author, as a young punk, often sold goods “acquired” by questionable means, at many “no questions asked” second hand and junk stores that used dot the area. Those are long gone. Just up the street… The Nash aka The National Hotel. Short Subjects: reports that for… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…and soon to be “fossil prospecting”. 2) On the edge, we drop down into a “special” valley, an area not open to the general public and a real hot spot for fossils. Now this is a full on hiking adventure taking at minimum half a day and you need the… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…such unpleasnatries. You we’re witness to something amazing. More canyon hikes… Grotto Canyon. Jura Creek. More “history” hikes… Protection Mountain Mine. Hillcrest-Mohawk #5. One Mine Ridge. If you wish more information about this trail, by all means contact us! Date of adventure: September, 2017. Location: Kananaskis AB, Highwood River Area…. (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…to it, a look at a special “Canada” display. Some random hillside: on display in the remote Alberta Rockies…“Happy Birthday Canada”. By Chris Doering and Connie Biggart.(BIGDoer/Synd) On the sides of some hill, along some meandering forestry road, real remote and far from any civilization, a rock display, originally put… (Search hits: 0 in title, 2 in body, 0 in comments.)
…a “caboose” if I’m correct Nester Jacobs One of these was sold at a auction a few years ago by Two Hills ! Jo Tennant I’ve read about those in Alberta history books, ingenuity at its best. Crystal Oliver This is amazing! I’ve heard of these but never seen one… (Search hits: 0 in title, 4 in body, 0 in comments.)
…there and sat there. The hours rushed past and just as we were about to call it a day, a freight appeared. We really hoped it’d be heading in the same direction as in the original, but at this point were happy to settle for anything. An observation: trains are… (Search hits: 0 in title, 4 in body, 0 in comments.)
Boler! / Exploring History / Hikes And Summits / Other Fun / Then And Now
by Chris Doering · Published January 1, 2024 · Last modified September 15, 2024
…Society, Hanna Alberta. Part two… Coming Soon (2)! Good times ahead… Marblehead Underground Quarry. A Few Minutes in Stavely Alberta. Didsbury Alberta Town Loop. Downtown Bawlf Alberta. If you wish more information on what’s seen here, don’t hesitate to: contact us! Date of Adventures: 2021-2024. Location(s): All over the West…. (Search hits: 0 in title, 5 in body, 0 in comments.)
Today it’s a railway theme (hooray!) and the subject but a single piece in the extensive collection belonging to Aspen Crossing, a tour train operator. All eyes on this “little” industrial locomotive that one half of your humble Team had a run in with decades ago. It’s sits on a… (Search hits: 0 in title, 4 in body, 0 in comments.)
…for sponsoring this page! Do the same… The railway arrived in Big Valley about 1911 and the structures seen here built soon after (circa 1912-1918). Known as the Alberta Midland, it was operated by the Canadian Northern, a massive railway spanning much of the country and with big aspirations. In… (Search hits: 0 in title, 6 in body, 1 in comments.)
…ball bonus. There’s one pop-bumper. Rules are plain and simple but executing them is another story. The game is not as easy as it looks. Take a look at the innards – all those wires and coils and switches. How in the world can anyone make heads or tales of… (Search hits: 0 in title, 4 in body, 0 in comments.)
…similar in form, found on Alberta backroads. This factory had the market cornered out this way and it’s amazing how many bridges they built that are still in use, so long after being made. What a testament to their solid design and construction. Blue Bridge to Nowhere: about a century… (Search hits: 0 in title, 3 in body, 0 in comments.)
…along the Cariboo Wagon Road, and the second incarnation for a newly built highway using some of the same route. There’s an even newer Alexandra Bridge, just downstream, and it replaced the one seen here close to sixty years ago. Alexandra Bridge Fraser Canyon BC: in a spectacular setting and… (Search hits: 0 in title, 3 in body, 0 in comments.)
…area. It’s in fine shape, nice looking and quite driveable. Scattered about the property are some old cars and trucks in retirement. Included is a 1956-1957 era International Travelall (pretty uncommon), a Ford Thunderbird one year younger than your author (making it a ’66), along with another GMC pickup from… (Search hits: 0 in title, 4 in body, 1 in comments.)
…collectively as “Entrance Ridges”. They come into season early and if fact they’re accessible and for the most part easily doable, all year round. We for one use them for spring conditioning, in anticipation of warmer weather and loftier goals. You know, to get our mountain legs back after winter…. (Search hits: 0 in title, 3 in body, 0 in comments.)
…once over by Gary. Some pesky scoring and reset issues are addressed – pretty routine stuff. Then there’s an general inspection and tune up followed by a good cleaning and waxing. What was a temperamental sluggish game is reborn and plays as good as it did when it left Gottlieb’s… (Search hits: 0 in title, 3 in body, 1 in comments.)
…Try to find it on your visit. A circa 1910s farm house, brought in from a rural area, is next. It’s well appointed with furniture and such of the era. A vintage phone…you know we have to take a pic. Got a thing for them. And you thought we only… (Search hits: 0 in title, 1 in body, 0 in comments.)
Kenopsia: "the eerie atmosphere of a place that's usually bustling with people but now vacant or abandoned."
Posted
Margaret Nemeth:
Robsart Saskatchewan 61 Years Apart
Rob Pohl & Arturo Pianzola:
Comox Fishermanβs Wharf Comox BC
Anonymous:
Notre Dame de Savoie Church (From 2014)
Margaret Nemeth:
A Corner in North Glenmore ~50 Years Apart
Anonymous:
Highland Golf Course β Fore No More
Richard Graydon:
Bay Island One Room School (1919-1950)
Gregory Fraser:
Farmer Jones Carz β Closed 2012
Richard Graydon:
Prairie Sentinels of Oberlin Alberta
Cindy Miller Reade:
Railway Barge Slip Rosebery BC (1989)
Kaman Kryskow:
Legends of the Fall (1994) Family Cemetery
Richard Graydon:
Manyberries AB Train Station (Blt 1917)
Jason Sailer:
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Whitepool #587
Mindi Miller:
Silver Streak 1976 Train Station Okotoks AB
Dale:
Historic Ainsworth Cemetery in BC
Dale:
The Lonely Laing House (1910s)
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!
Want to join in?
You cannot copy content of this page
Javascript is required for this site to function. Please enable it in your browser settings and refresh this page.
This popup is only shown once in a while.
BIGDoer.com has grown so huge that it's become a burden.
Please consider helping to keep new content coming...
Or
Thank you!
Comments are currently turned off