North of Bindloss, Alberta

This marker showing where a one room schoolhouse once was is in an empty place. I like to keep a lookout for unique signs and markers. I have only seen two other ones of this type in Buffalo, Alberta. 

This looks like the lettering was done by welding on a metal plate.

Quick ride March 29, 2016

Took a trip after work for about an hour. Everything seems fine and I am looking forward to Friday when the temperature is rumoured to be twenty degrees celsius. This is about a mile south of Airdrie. It looks kind of like a desert. Soon the rusty coloured farm fields will give way to more vibrant colours. 

Chilmark School March 12, 2016

This was a neat find. There are school markers all over Alberta where one room schoolhouses once stood. This one is north of Buffalo, Alberta in a remote area that does not get a lot of traffic. The school is long gone, all that remains is the steps and the foundation on the other side of the barb wire fence..

The very rural sign

Sometimes you see some unique signs in the middle of nowhere. This one has a serious lean to it. This is north of Bindloss, Alberta on Range Road 31 on March 12, 2016. It was so dry out it would not take much to have a raging prairie fire even though it is March. No snow anywhere and bone dry which is not unusual for this part of Alberta.

Marble Canyon March 20, 2016

Just west of the British Columbia/Alberta border barely off Highway 93. It is five hundred meters from the parking lot to the canyon on a fantastic Saturday.

The path leading to the canyon. Hard packed snow. The trail is under about two to three feet of snow. This is looking south from the canyon. The destination is the other direction.

You can just make out the snow covered natural rock bridge traversing the canyon.

The canyon is not very wide. It is deep.

Right in the Rocky Mountains in Kootenay National Park.

Mailboxes and parcel box

Made a quick stop at the side of the road on Highway 570 west of Big Stone, Alberta on March 12, 2016 and happened to spot this. You see the green mailboxes all over rural Alberta, that is nothing new. Someone built their own barn style box for parcels.

The abandoned truck post

Out by Buffalo, Alberta on March 12, 2016. As we were driving my friend spotted this off in a field. I was really pleased with how these turned out.

Summit Cafe, Canmore, Alberta March 25, 2016

Canmore, Alberta is one of those places I like. I stopped here on the way to Banff  and beyond with my nephew and brother-in-law. The brother-in-law suggested this place. I suspect he is a bit of a foodie.

This place is small and busy. The food is perfectly fine. 

For some reason after you place your order you get a dinosaur to put on your table. This is how they know to find you. I don't get it but it works for them.

To be candid it is not really my kind of place. The food is very good, I just prefer my meals a little less healthy. I would definitely come back for the food and especially the views.

This morning in Airdrie

Calgary cityscape from Airdrie, Alberta March 8, 2016

Open road this Friday? Maybe. Sometimes responsibilities like laundry intrude.

Still, in most of Alberta it does not take much to go from a city setting to very rural in a short period of time.

The Easter Weekend

May all of you have a great Easter Weekend and spend some time with family. That is where I will be.

School and church marker

Historical societies in Alberta have set up markers showing where old schools once stood. Sometimes you will see markers stating where a church once was or sometimes a homestead. They come in a wide variety, some are ridiculously elaborate, a number are very plain. This is the first school and church marker that I have run across just west of Airdrie March 8, 2016. 

Nick's Service Shop, March 5, 2016

Saw this in Andrew, Alberta. One of those small town businesses that closed down some years back. A peek in the window shows someone is storing lawnmowers inside. I was passing through and had to stop for a look. Many years ago my grandfather had a small town business similar to this. My grandfather's place had a garage for vehicle repairs and gas pumps. 

The glass is missing off of this pump. I do not know if that was the last true price.

Moyie Cemetery, Moyie, British Columbia

February 13, 2016. This spot is right beside Highway 3 barely west of Moyie on the side of the mountain.

The front of this says "Historic Moyie Tomb 1898". I was unable to find any more information on it. A very interesting site.

Highway 3 in the background.

Entrance to the cemetery. The highway is to the right.

Still in use. Someone had recently been clearing away some brush.

Water Valley Stud Auction March 18, 2016

Time once again for the Water Valley Stud Auction held in the Water Valley Saloon in Water Valley, Alberta. This is actually more of a community fund raiser. I was here last year and only one horse was auctioned off for stud fees. I was going to be one of a party of five to attend this event. My cousin came down with the flu so that scratched her and her date. A friend of mine got called out to a job out of town in the opposite direction. My date was starting to suffer with the flu. I asked if she was alright and she insisted on going.

We arrived just before five and snagged the last table in the place. The food at the saloon is very good. I had the buffalo burger and I will be back to have it again.

I have been to Water Valley over ten times and I keep forgetting to ask if they really do have rooms available.

This is what it is all about.

What this is supposed to be all about.

Being a country auction you have to have a genuine country auctioneer. This is cowboy country.

Some of the live items. The cinnamon buns went for $55.00, the carrot cake for $70.00, the eggs for $50.00 to name a few items. The stud fees were valued at $600.00 and only went for $130.00. Good thing the horse was not around to hear what his services sold for.

One of the live items. I cannot remember what that went for.

Hay bales sold at live auction for $160.00.

My friend started bidding on this and dropped out when it hit $50.00. A dinner triangle is one of those items you probably buy and then wonder why you bought it.

I liked the name. I don't do yoga.

More items.

This was one of the live items. No one started the bid on two loaves of Irish Soda Bread. The bidding was per loaf. I started the bidding at $5.00 and managed to end the bidding at $5.00. So I held up two fingers to indicate I would take both. Someone that made the effort to bake bread was not going to have their contribution pass without any bids on my watch.

The live auction started at quarter after seven. We were three quarters of the way  through the live auction and my lady friend was looking less healthy. You were not supposed to pay until the live auction was finished. I managed to convince them to take my money and I got my one and only purchase, the bread. My friend made it out to the parking lot ahead of me. On my way out I got stopped by a very nice looking tipsy blonde in my age range. She was quite friendly and I think she would have liked a loaf of bread. If I had arrived as a solo act I think I might have had a very different ending to my evening. Both of my loaves stayed with me. My date made it home and I left for my home. I am looking forward to next year's auction.

In case anyone is wondering I did try the bread. It is very good and I sent an email to the address on the business card complimenting Catherine O'Toole on her baking.