Spotted August 1, 2015

If you drive enough roads enough times you will see some odd things. This was on Highway 740 north of Tangent, Alberta on a farmer's property.

So . . . what's next?

I accomplished one of my goals by getting to the last ferry on my list in Alberta, the La Crete Ferry on August 2, 2015. It is the northernmost public ferry in Alberta. I crossed the Shaftesbury Ferry on August 1, 2015. Incidentally both cross the same river. High Level where I spent Saturday night is just a little north. If I felt like it, another hour and a half by motorcycle would have found me in the Northwest Territories. I have been to Yellowknife by plane, I really did not feel the need to drive further north at this time.

The descent to the ferry landing. You can make out the ferry that looks like it is just beside the guardrail. The Peace River is in the background.

Built in 1987, it is a self propelled ferry and can carry fourteen mid-sized vehicles. One guy was operating it, another was working the deck. On the other side is La Crete, Alberta. I just crossed back and forth as I had a timetable I was trying to keep.

I got one of the crew to take my photo with my motorcycle mid-crossing just to prove I was there. I do not post photos of myself as I am never really happy with the results. Needless to say that one is not getting posted.

What is peculiar is that on the top of the valley is lots of muskeg. You reach the top to see nothing but muskeg for miles.

The river is fairly wide, the crossing is quick as it is a powerful and fast ferry.

So, what now? I made a list of ferry locations in Alberta which became a quest to get to all of them. It was also a bit of a private joke. I never really expected to accomplish it due to distance, time, or trying to get someone to join me. I ended up doing most of it myself. 

I did learn a few things about myself on these trips as much as I reinforced what I already knew. I am comfortable with doing things by myself. If you cannot get someone to go along on something that you want to do then just find a way to do it anyway. I sharpened my improvisation skills and I got a bit more patient about life if things did not exactly work out. What is next is that I find some new goals. It is still not the destination, it is what you find along the way. 

Bindloss, Alberta July 18, 2015

Founded in 1915. Had a post office in 1916. Only a couple of homes are inhabited now with some old abandoned buildings making up the townsite.

School marker. There is a small modern school a block away which in all likelihood is Bindloss #2. The school looks like it has been closed down.

I like the look of this by inself in this photo. In reality it is right beside a United Church. I am not sure if the church is still being used.

Church on Highway 2 north of Donnelly, Alberta

On the road on August 2, 2015. No information on the demonination of the church. Cemetary looks to still be in use, I am not so sure about the church. The doors are intentionally jammed shut. This part of the province has a lot of French heritage so I guess it could be Catholic. The grounds are kept up, the building has long seen better days.

Starlite Diner Car, Bowden, AB

I stopped here August 17, 2015. Sometimes you pass something dozens of times and you never think about stopping and seeing what it is about. This is just off the main highway between Calgary and Edmonton in Bowden, Alberta. I was coming back from Edmonton and needed a break. 

This is one of those places that really needs more attention. You walk in and it is like being in a diner and for some reason it has an alien theme. The alien theme runs through the decor to even the menu items. I have no idea what connection Bowden has to extraterrestrials. It does not matter anyway, the food was good and that is what counts. If you are ever in the neighbourhood, stop in.

I really like this place. I will be back.

The walls are decorated with old science fiction movie posters. Just quirky enough. 

My food tastes are not extravagant. Nothing special, it looked good and tasted good.

I found this room to be abduction free.