Coming in 2024 (1)!

Coming in 2024 (1st installment): presenting places we’ve explored the last year or so and the posts that will come from these incredible adventures. We’re talking a wild assortment and we’re sure you’ll enjoy every single one as much as we did documenting them. We simply love what we do, and beyond happy that our diverse group of viewers enjoys tagging along for the ride.

Once a post is published we’ll include a link to the resultant piece below each photo and that will start happening soon. It may take a while to completely finish the list, but they’ll be steady in coming. There will be a second “Coming Soon” post to follow this one and it’s not too far behind.

Searching out ex-Safeway stores in Calgary.

In the 1960s to 1970s period Safeway held title as king of the hill in Alberta and had a near monopoly on the grocery business. How the mighty have fallen and today they are but a sidebar in the industry, in this market at least, and for those branded stores that are left, they’re simply a Sobeys with a different name. We’ve decided to document any and all former Safeways left in Calgary.

They can be identified by the unique design of their buildings. While the flagship stores used the familiar Marina arch roof, as you see in the photo, smaller outlets of the era were often different in form.

We’ll track them down out and stay tuned to see how many were found. Spoiler: there were a lot! Some remain in use as independent food stores and for others the space has been repurposed. We’re talking Dollaramamas, bikes shops, auto parts suppliers, fitness places and so on. Some still look the part but for many we had to examine them hard to spot the trademark design cues. We’ll talk about it all and it’ll make sense.

Wandering historic Fort MacLeod Alberta.

We’re out in Southern Alberta, in a mood for a walk, have cameras in hand, so come join us for a little tour of historic Fort MacLeod. There’s lots to see in and around downtown, and with the light failing, we have to hustle. But what ambience! It’ll be interesting and we’ll touch on the history of pretty much everything you’ll see. Doesn’t it look like a magical place?

On the job with pinball technician Gary Makota.

It’s been a while since we posted about our silver ball obsession, but that will change soon enough. For countless years we’ve shadowed pinball technician Gary Makota while on the job, but for the last while have only stockpiled the work and not posted anything. We’re not exactly sure what we’ll do with all the hundreds of photos, but we’ll think of something creative. Yeah, we will. There’s lots of captivating pics and stories in the mix, that we know, so it’ll be something good. More pinball: coming soon!

In the photo above Gary is seen tackling a gorgeous Williams Fiesta from 1959 and getting it back to full playability. It’s an brutal game to master, and showcases a feature common to the era, that of mid-field gobble holes to compilate gameplay. One wrong move and the ball vanishes right before your eyes – son of a $*&@*!!!!

Exploring remains of this old mine right at lake level (British Columbia).

There’s countless abandoned mines scattered across BC and this one is rather unique in that the work took place just above the water line. You usually think some precipitous mountain side or of other rugged setting for such workings, but here the location is rather placid in contrast and quite scenic. A cool dip after work? This operation dates back to the late 1800s and functioned (often sporadically) for some four decades or so. It was known as a silver property, but a smattering of other metals were also found in the mix. So lead, zinc, gold and copper.

Remains include a few concrete machinery pads, odd bits of metal, an adit (with a stream following from the opening), and remains of the mine railway. There used to be a wharf extending from the rocky shelf seen and out into the lake, but it’s long gone. We’ll talk about the history of workings, what they produced and anything else we can “dig up”.

February 1st, 2024: Molly Hughes by the Lake (Ag-Pb-Zn-Au).

Paying respects at this mining camp cemetery.

It’s a bit of an uphill trek to get to, but a good walk in the woods is never something we’ll turn down. Sure, we probably could have driven the road in, carefully, but why? We’re at a cemetery connected to the mining camp in the Kootenays of BC and we’ll see what we can find about the people interred here. The cemetery is still used to this day, but most burials date back to the boom period of over a hundred years ago.

A hike to Eva Lake in Mount Revelstoke National Park.

And Miller Lake is not far away.

The hike to Eva and Miller Lakes in Mount Revelstoke National Park have been on our radar for eons. We’ve been in the area many times, but either the timing proved wrong (other commitments for example) or circumstances wouldn’t allow it. So like when the park closed during Covid, or when forest fire smoke kept us away. Most people seem only visit one lake (usually Eva) but the two are so close that we combined them.

It’s a rugged hike and has potential to be unforgiving, but the parks people keep the trail in good condition and it’s well engineered. What a good workout but the rewards make it well worth the effort. Finally, we did it and even though Connie at the time was suffering through her post cancer therapy, she put up a herculean effort and survived it all. Barely, but still it’s a success. To us, it’s one of the hikes of a lifetime and certainly we can’t be alone in that sentiment? This adventure is coming soon!

Visiting the Civil Defence Museum in Alsask Saskatchewan.

Scanning the skies for enemy aircraft.

The Canadian Civil Defence Museum’s Alsask Dome (Alsask Saskatchewan, right on the Alberta border) is a national treasure and the last of its kind. It was one of the many in a network that watched the skies during heated times between the Soviets and the West, but advancing technology made these radar domes redundant. Still, it harkens back to a time when the world was convinced that nuclear war was an inevitably and death would reign down from the skies.

We’ve visited many times before, but we’ll update the information and present some new photos. Plus we’ll show how you too can visit and take in what’s presented here. We’ve known the fine folks at the Civil Defence Museum for a long time now and a more dedicated bunch could not be found. Don’t go too far away!

April 25th, 2024: RCAF/CFS Alsask Radar Dome.

A little fun with the Reynold’s Raiders in Big Valley Alberta.

The Raiders brazenly rob the Stettler to Big Valley tour trains and that’s right under the noses of the local constabulary. Trip after trip, they terrorize travellers, seem unstoppable and function with impunity. It’s just for fun of course. On a number of occasions we’ve had the honour of hanging with the group, as they go about their dastardly deeds and on one occasion treated to an impromptu concert down at their saloon. Good times were had by all and the fun lasted well into dark. We’ll show you highlights from these visits and chat a little about the group’s charitable work. They’re bandits with a heart of gold.

In heaven at the Medicine Hat Vintage Trailer Rally.

While open to anyone with a with a retro camper, the majority of participants of the 2023 event owned Bolers. You know we were giddy just thinking of it and the euphoria of the day meant we lost count of how many were actually there. Fifty? Sixty? Maybe more? There were thirteen and seventeen foot trailers, some original, many customized and in our eyes every last one is beautiful. Let’s not forgot to mention all the other vintage trailers that were also there, but for us Bolers are king.

Come join us as we wander the grounds, chat with owners when we can, and simply soak up the ambience. It was a huge party and an honour to be witness too it all. We’re not owners (long story) but that doesn’t stop us from being big fans. It’s a strange obsession but we submit. This post is coming soon!

The Great Beater Challenge is about to begin!

Taking over MV Osprey 2000.

S******s Full! For one weekend each summer a group of…let’s call them weirdos…gets together and attempts something incredible. They take neglected cars, beaten up trucks and even ancient motorhomes, all well past their prime and as a motley convoy drive them over a tortuous route on what is perhaps for many old rides their final adventure. It’s a merciless journey, which differs with each run and is selected for its innumerable challenges. You know, steep unrelenting grades, remote byways and hairy stuff like that. It’s not a short afternoon drive, but one of perhaps a thousand clicks or more over two tortuous days.

If you survive there’s proof positive that miracles happen. It’s not a race in any sense, but the chance to test oneself in a way unlike any other. It’s also a points game and the worse a vehicle appears, the better the odds of coming out ahead. There’s a yearly theme, with costumes encouraged and it’s part treasure hunt too. While it sounds complicated it will be fully explained in the post. Surprisingly attrition is not as high as one might think and most complete the course. For these guys it’s generally on a wing and prayer.

Remote remains of a CPR Section House.

The depression seen in front marks the site of a Canadian Pacific Railway section house and keeps company with a lone tree. This was home for the section man, whose job it was to inspect and maintain a defined length of railway track. Given these jobs were sometimes out in the middle of nowhere, the company would supply them (and their family) a home from which to work. There were countless section houses up and down the CPR and each generally similar in appearance.

The branchline that once passed here goes back to the 1910s and closed some six decades later. Never a busy stretch of track, even if the lengthy time it remained in service belies the fact, and it probably never should have been been built. At least if you were to ask the railway you might hear that said. The agricultural potential of the region was never properly exploited and settlement never more than a trickle. We don’t know much about this site as we type this, but expect research will help fill in the blanks. Or so we hope. It’s obscure mysteries we love the most.

January 15th, 2024: The Sectionman’s Home (Middle of Nowhere).

Then & Now Fodder – Sandon BC in the 1950s!

A dear friend recently acquired a collection of vintage slides and suggested we take a look. They from a Calgary based photographer and cover a multitude of subjects from all over Alberta and BC. They start in the early 1950s and the newest dates from a few decades later. It was suggested, on initial inspection, there might be some images that would be good fodder for BIGDoer Then & Now photos. We’ve checked in more detail and yes, that’s exactly the case. We’re going to scan them and then get down to the fun part.

Plus there is lots of images that simply should be added to the historical record.

Seen in the photo is a slide from Sandon BC some seventy years ago. We showed the fine folks who caretake the historic ghost town this very image and they’re on board and want copies of all we find for their records. There must be twenty, thirty or maybe more showing the town. We’re stoked at the possibilities! Not just about Sandon but the other places seen in these expertly done photos.

Channelling Clark Kent in Barons Alberta.

Speaking of Then & Nows (one of our favourite things ever, incidentally), we’ve slowly started revisiting a series we shot long ago tied to the original Superman franchise of the late ’70s/early ’80s. Many scenes were filmed in the Calgary area and Southern Alberta and we visited many of these locations about a decade ago. Those Then & Nows…well, frankly they suck…and we’re determined to reshoot as many as we can and update the postings.

Barons Alberta was the setting for a number of scenes in the original Superman The Movie (1978) and doubled as Smallville Kanasas, Clark Kent’s hometown. They filmed in and around the community and in this photo were setting up for one comparison shot. Remember where Clark paces a train? From those scenes. Something super is coming soon!

Dock remains at Union Bay BC (1880s-1960s).

From the 1880s and into the 1960s, Union Bay on BC’s Vancouver Island was home to a coal loading wharf. The material got brought in by train from the Cumberland area further inland and transferred to ships and barges for further transport to market. A huge operation, it was home to a processing plant, storage areas and a number of piers that reached out into deeper water. Even thought all the structures were removed, many things remain behind, included machinery bits, various giant timbers and plenty of coal slack.

The giants of Cathedral Grove BC.

The trees out on the west coast can grow to gargantuan proportions and dwarf anything out in our forested areas of Alberta. They’re monsters, fir, cedar and hemlock, with the one seen in this photo a top contender size wise in a grove of big, big boys. The picture does not do it justice.

In a break from the usual, our subject will be a chunk of land that for some reason was never logged and now a nature preserve. Trees here date back many centuries and via a boardwalk and trails, they can be explored without harming the fragile understory. To someone used to the stick trees out in Kananaskis, this experience is recalled as something short of overwhelming.

March 03rd, 2024: The Giants of Cathedral Grove (BC).

The lost town of Ioco – there’s lots coming soon!

Going back to the 1920s, it functioned as a company town in support of the Imperial Oil Company plant on Burrard Inlet out near Port Moody BC. Out on the west coast. A couple homes are still occupied in the community, but all others that remain standing are boarded up and empty. Many were torn down decades back and now what’s left has been historically designated in one way or another. The Ioco Groceteria functioned until the mid-1990s and it too stands empty. We spent a couple hours simply wandering the community and taking in what we could see. There among the ghosts and lost memories.

We’ve been busy and recall there will be a part two of this post which will get published soon enough. Then we’ll get down to writing and researching the various subject presented here in these sneak previews. In addition to these, there are plenty of other things coming soon, including more hikes, historical stuff, countless short subjects, our strange predilection for Bolers and our popular comparison shots where we use old photos as a guide. Stay tuned for more fun and action!

Know more about a select number of subjects seen here (new windows): Marina Roof Safeways, Historic Fort MacLeod Alberta, Williams Fiesta Pinball, Mount Revelstoke National Park Hikes, Alsask Saskatchewan Dome, Great Beater Challenge and Cathedral Grove Vancouver Island.

They’re saying…

”Chris & Connie research the details of their subjects and share their awesome photography! Thank you!” Sandra Beaudoin – Hanna Roundhouse Society, Hanna Alberta.

Part two…
Coming in 2024 (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: 2021-2023 but mostly the last year.
Location(s): All over the West.