Another motorcycle update . . .

I did not get a phone call however I got a detailed email.

I will not get the bike back for the weekend. I got an apology and an explanation that parts are on order to replace whatever is missing. They will also be doing an inspection before it gets back to me. I should have it back on Tuesday. I will be missing some ideal riding weather this weekend however brakes on a motorcycle are important.

I have botched things in dealing with clients, not anything as serious as what happened with my motorcycle. Everyone screws up sometime. When I have discovered something I did wrong I have phoned to tell the person and tried to fix it right away, even if that means working outside of office hours and going to see the client in person to admit the mistake. People make mistakes, it is what you do to try to fix them. My big issue that no one picked up the phone to call me instead of hiding behind email. I would have had a lot more respect if someone had called, said they made a mistake, and will do what they can to make it right. 

Fun

This sign for Woodlawn Regional Park at Boundary Dam sits along Saskatchewan Highway #47 between Estevan and the Noonan, North Dakota border crossing.

Back in 2016 the hand-carved pelican was stolen and the incident was reported in the local newspaper.  The police had no leads and there were no witnesses to the crime.  It seemed like the culprit had gotten away with it.

Then a request was made in the newspaper to return the pelican, no questions asked.  As if my magic the pelican was soon returned to it's perch on top of the sign, much to the delight of passersby.  And no questions were asked.

- Michael Truman

I expected better than this . . .

On May 28, 2019 I received an email from the Service Manager saying that someone would contact me about picking up the motorcycle. I received a call in the afternoon and I arranged a time to have it picked up.

My motorcycle was picked up by the morning of May 30, 2019 by a guy towing a truck with a motorcycle trailer. I asked their employee who picked it up to have someone call me as to when this would be resolved and when I would get my motorcycle back (and it should be delivered to me). I pointed out where the brakes came off the motorcycle and told them they should be happy I am being nice about this. It could have been a lawyer representing my estate contacting them since they could have killed me with their negligence. I have yet to receive any kind of response.

This evening after not getting a phone call or even an email from anyone at the dealership I sent an email to the Service Manager detailing the recent events and mentioning how displeased I am with their service.

If I do not receive a response my next call will be to whoever is at the top of their food chain.

If that does not work, I will be calling my lawyer.

I stopped for the barn

West of Grande Prairie, Alberta.

Abandoned in British Columbia

Spotted this along Highway 16 east of Tete Jaune Cache. British Columbia.

Nasty surprises

I had new tires put on the motorcycle on May 21, 2019. The motorcycle then sat for a week. Yesterday I took the motorcycle to work where it sat for the day. After work I hopped on, backed it out of the parking spot, and while doing so heard a "clunk". I started it, moved a few feet, and heard another "clunk". I immediately pulled over and shut it off. I could not see any obvious problem until I got down on the ground and noticed the brakes completely off the front wheel. This did not make me happy.

When the shop changed the tires they neglected to bolt on the front brakes and they fell off the motorcycle. I carefully got it home and this morning I called the shop and asked to speak to a manager. There is no manager in today, he will be in the following day. I stated what happened and sent them this photo of the brake assembly hanging from the brake cable. I await a phone call to see how they are going to fix this. Thankfully this did not happen at highway speed.

Train!

Tried a train shot last weekend. Noticed a train parked on the west side of the Alberta border alongside Highway 16.

Michael Truman started a new blog!

I want to thank him for posting here and hope he may gift this site with a post or two sometime in the future.

Please visit his blog at:

michaeltruman.blogspot.com

Halcourt Church 1911

This might be all that is left of Halcourt, Alberta. This church is in a rural area west of Grande Prairie, Alberta. I do not think it sees regular use these days. 

There is a fenced off on the other side of the church that held five horses.

Every place should be known for something

I passed this sign west of Tete Jaune Cache, British Columbia along Highway 16 and had to hit the brakes and back up to confirm what I saw. Apparently this is a real thing. If I am ever in Fort St. James I will have to check it out.

Speaking of big beavers . . .

I am not a fan of over-sized roadside attractions in small towns. This one was an exception. I felt I had to stop for this one in Beaverlodge, Alberta.

The Empress Bunny

I spotted this bunny in the Village of Empress, Alberta late one summer morning.

From the white streak across his/her nose I think this bunny is the offspring of some wild/domestic relationship. Racy!

- Micheal Truman

Dunvegan Bridge

Alberta's longest suspension bridge crossing the Peace River north of Grande Prairie. Completed in 1960.

I thought I would see what it looked like in black and white.

Aliens tend to prefer the rural areas

I saw this near Tangent, Alberta a few years ago. I was driving through the area last weekend and it is still there. Someone has a good sense of humour.

I did not notice the small alien under the saucer the last time I drove by it. It was likely always there.

Got my bear

Near Grande Cache, Alberta last weekend.

There were four of them high up on a ridge. This was at the extreme range of my telephoto lens and I managed one photo that was any good.

Happy!

A low-growing species of fleabane blooming profusely on the wide open prairie near Empress, Saskatchewan. In a word: Happy!

- Michael Truman

Yard art

Saw this at the entrance to a farm. I just had to stop and get a photo.

St. Michael and St. Michael’s

This is kind of north of Clair, Saskatchewan in a rural area. I was here on April 20, 2019.

According to Google Maps that I consulted at the time this is St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Less than a mile east is another St. Michael's Church. Google Maps says this is St. Michael's Ukrainian Church. Tried to look inside, it was locked.

Windows

Various abandoned building window photos.

Camping . . .

This is the Victoria Day Weekend in Canada, a long weekend that typically kicks off a lot of summer activities. One of those is camping, a lot of people have got their stuff out of storage and are out camping. I have no desire to camp. As a kid my parents would go out camping. I froze in tents, then froze in tent trailers, then froze in a truck and camper unit, then froze in a trailer as my parents graduated from one form of camping to another. Camping may build character, and I have done the usual camping stuff like built fires and chop word, however I hate being cold at night. I froze enough in my younger days.

If I am out on a weekend I will be spending the night in a decent motel or hotel. I can afford it and I like to get quality sleep at night. I see some of this monstrous fifth wheel trailers and bus style motorhomes that cost a small fortune. I doubt that is camping when you have all of the comforts of home. The money spent on one of these I think you would be far ahead financially taking a motel or hotel instead, nevermind what they charge you to use a campsite these days.   

For those that like to camp, I saw this at a campground by the North Saskatchewan River near Drayton Valley, Alberta.

This is one of a kind

This is an old cream can made into a mailbox. At one point cream cans were collectible and I would see minor bidding wars over them at farm auctions. People would buy them and use them as decorator pieces. 

Nobody Home

This tour around the countryside focuses on abandoned homes in and around "my stomping grounds," a term I use rather loosely here. Enjoy!

Above and just below . . . a tiny abandoned house on the western edge of the Cypress Hills in Alberta. Saint Margaret's Church and Cemetery is within walking distance just up the coulee.

I spotted this old homestead southwest of Crosby, North Dakota. Even though it was nearly Christmastime there were still a few bales in the fields.

A big two-storey house near Corinth, North Dakota . . . comes with a windmill and wide open spaces. The setting sun gives the weathered wood a warm and attractive appearance.

An abandoned house near Dowling Lake, Alberta. Love the prominent upper storey gable and the huge (for the time) picture window on the main level . . . too bad about the porch.

I was on my way to Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan and this house appeared just over the crest of a hill. I can imagine being a kid and sleeping out on the veranda on a hot summer night...maybe even sneaking out to get into some mischief.

I'd just had a delicious late lunch at Soup and Such in Hazlet, Saskatchewan and was on my way to Maple Creek when I came across this little abandoned house. The lilac bush growing on the east side is almost as big as the house itself. It was a rare "only black and white photos" day.

A lovely warm winter day south of Nemiscam, Alberta.  Instead of turning east or west at the blacktop I decided to go straight ahead into the unknown. Found this nice old two storey stucco house a few miles down the road...love the covered entry.

Up to Estuary, Saskatchewan for this unusually designed house. If you're in Estuary or passing through there is a cable ferry that crosses the river here. It's especially fun when the river is high in late June. Let's all hope that cable doesn't break!

The remains of an old stone house near Goldstone, Montana. An alarmingly desolate area that I find, well . . . it kind of puts you on the edge of your seat, but in a fun kind-of-way.  Always a thrill to drive through the area.

Southwest of Schuler, Alberta...just look at that big old lilac bush blooming its heart out!  Comes with a pretty nice house too.

Autumn near Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. What I find most interesting here is the non-indigenous Mountain Ash tree that is obviously flourishing in utter neglect right next to a pretty cute little house.

Thanks for taking the tour!

- Michael Truman