The fence post post

Tried some minimalism.

Near Cessford, Alberta.

Northeast of Kayville, Saskatchewan July 31, 2022

Time for another summer photo.

Progress on the home front

Mom's condo is getting a final cleaning. Met with a realtor on Saturday and got it listed. The realtor asked if the listing should be for one year or more. I told him if he wants the listing he has six months. If nothing happens in six months then I will look for anther realtor. I figure that should be enough time for something to happen. Met with the condo board as I had to get some new codes to get in the building. They were being changed for security reasons. Had a good visit with mom. I believe she is starting to like living in the retirement home. She must like the food, she is not as thin as before and looking healthier. That might be part of their strategy, get the residents too fat to make a run for it.

Sunday I had the day to myself. I took a drive for the day and enjoyed the solitude.

Abandoned Alberta

Near Drumheller.

Late night tree post

 

Foam Lake, Saskatchewan elevator

Courtesy of Dale Redekopp.

Abandoned Alberta - Paulus RC Church and Cemetery - June 2022

Courtesy of Dale Redekopp

The Roman Catholic Church on this site was built in 1910, replacing the previous church which burnt down. It only served the congregation until 1919 when the building was sold to the local School Board and served as a school until 1958. It is in a sad state of disrepair now and is full of trash.  The single grave marker in the adjacent cemetery is for Michael Schmaus 1851 – 1915.  Photographed in Jun 2022.

Cpt Mo Wednesday

I learned something from my weekend trip

This last weekend was a long weekend with the Monday being a holiday. I took a quick run to Ainsworth Hot Springs in British Columbia for two nights. Food in their restaurant was very very good. The hot springs were enjoyable. It was overcast and a little rain, then again it is February.

I frequently check weather reports if I am going anywhere in the winter. There were no issues until I woke up early Monday, checked the weather on my phone, and noticed there were heavy snowfall warnings in the afternoon for where I was staying and the route I intended to take back. I had intended to go north through Nakusp, Revelstoke, Golden, Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary, then north home. Even Calgary was listed with a weather advisory. No such listings for going back the way I came, so I crossed the ferry at Balfour, then to Creston, Cranbrook, Crowsnest Pass, and north on Highway 2 home. I ran into a snowstorm in the Crowsnest Pass, weather got better further east, the rest of the way was some falling snow and some reduced visibility. It just took longer. Otherwise a fine trip.

While at the resort I ordered a gin martini because I have never had a martini before and thought I would try one. I learned I do not like martinis.

A Nice Pair

A nice pair near Wasel, Alberta.

It was a beautiful day out in the country.

- Michael Truman

Past Presence Website

Lazy Sunday in the mountains

 

Spotted in Kaslo, British Columbia

 

Road trip

 

Another one lost

I just posted this on February 13, 2023. I drove by this place on February 11, 2023. A few people messaged yesterday me to tell me that it was a total fire loss on February 13, 2023. Two days after driving by it burned down. 

Link:

Bashaw RCMP investigate church fire - Ponoka News

More abandoned Alberta

Abandoned Alberta by Cpt Mo

Random abandoned Alberta

The Enright House, near Rosalind, Alberta.

Abandoned Alberta - St. Michael Roman Catholic Church

Hungarian church east of Ponoka, Alberta.

Late night solitary tree post

Leduc County July 16, 2022

Random abandoned Alberta

I like running across interesting old vehicles. I wish this one had a better background.

Cpt Mo spotted a porcupine last weekend

Jasper National Park February 4, 2023

Tried to capture a few different winter shots. One is off one side of a bridge, and the other side of the same bridge.

Musician?

Random ranch sign.

Obligatory Jasper National Park wildlife post

Very rare that I do not see some wildlife in Jasper.

This was not too far past the park entrance.

This was right outside the town of Jasper.

They did not seem to mind having a guest in their herd.

This is close to the Jasper Park Lodge. I waited forever for him to raise his head. After multiple photos I gave up. Eating was more important than posing for me.

Getting back on track is proving to be a little more difficult than I thought . . .

Took a quick trip to Jasper, Alberta yesterday. I need a longer trip somewhere.

My sister is hanging out in Drayton Valley for the last five days and likely three or four more. She is painting mom's condo before it goes up for sale. I had a painter practically hired to do it a few weeks ago, when my sister heard about it she wanted the job. The job is dragging. Having to deal with family can be frustrating.

Talked to mom. She is having some issues and is quite confused lately. I have gently reminded her several times that I am taking care of her affairs and she has nothing to worry about.

I have been going through boxes and boxes (and even more boxes) of decades of mom's financial papers and tax returns. Of course nothing is in any semblance of order. It has been a lot of work cleaning this up. 

Having some work issues. I am sure everyone has had those at least once.

I am down to one vehicle from three. I recently sold my 2012 KIA Rondo. It had hail damage, some minor rust starting, and a few minor issues. Mechanically the car was rock solid, never any issues. A friend of mine told me a friend of his desperately needed a vehicle. He is getting divorced, has four kids, his vehicle died, and the vehicle he borrowed to get to work died. The guy needed a car to get to work and I was asked if I would sell it to him. Actually I was kind of politely hounded to sell him the car. I made time in my schedule and because he was in a bind I gave him a really good price on it. Sometimes you just have to help someone out.

I was planning on selling my 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe sometime in the future. Someone in my building told another resident in my building that I might have a vehicle for sale. He is in his seventies and his wife died December 23, 2022. She had a vehicle and for some reason it was turned back to the dealer after she died. I had told him I was likely going to sell it, he told me he wanted to buy it right away. I really did not want to do this, I am a little too busy with personal stuff. I was politely hounded by him as well.

I am a bit of a soft touch. I told him I would meet him after work and let him check it out. We took it for a test drive, showed him everything worked, got back home and sold it on the spot. Gave him a bill of sale the next day in exchange for cash. Used vehicles are damn hard to get here these days. He did not have a vehicle and tried several places and could not get his hands on one and was happy I sold it to him. I am now left with a 2013 KIA Soul that used to be mom's car with about 60,000km on it. It better not die on me, I have no backup vehicle.

It was a nice day to go to Jasper. I stopped at the Jasper Park Lodge for a quick bite and a glass of Merlot. It was 7C and I found it warm enough to walk around without a coat. I just like to go there. The Jasper Park Lodge has great food even if it is a little pricey. Then even have a pet menu.

Cpt Mo Wednesday