Category: Other Fun

Today, it’s a look at the Bluebird Motel Claresholm Alberta, charming old school accommodations in the motor court style and with tons of character. It’s a mom and pop kind of place, decidedly retro and delightful in every way. Up on the sign: “Old Fashioned Hospitality Since 1947” and a...

We love exploring little towns (who knew!), especially in the evening when their unique character and personality seems to really shine. There’s no one about, no cars in the way, the light’s nice and it’s just us wandering aimlessly. Whatever comes our way is fine and it’s always an enjoyable...

It’s not exactly the most common family name, so for us to see it out in the wild is both unexpected and a rare occurrence. Once in a while, we’ll notice the name on some random headstone, but instances of that can be counted on one hand. In the Bulwark...

Our subject is not terribly old and while less than photogenic it is abandoned and there in lies the appeal. There’s something haunting about a place like this, a former business in this instance, closed down and forgotten. Call it strange, yet here were are. This is Highway Gas, a...

If you’re into things like gritty industrial parks and little used railway tracks (and who isn’t?), then this post is for you! Tag along with us to wander a strange domain, that of warehouses and factories where infrequent trains, often nocturnal, roam rusty backtracks. Here’s it’s an evening in Calgary’s...

Time for another silly little post and here it’s a few random photos captured at the Red Deer Airport in Central Alberta. We came to document a vintage transit bus (teaser photo below) but in the end, found the background to our subject so interesting that we kept on shooting...

It’s was a brief architectural design trend starting in the latter half of the 1950s, peaking the next decade then quickly falling out of favour. Often applied to larger institutional or commercial buildings, wave or zigzag roofs could be structural (even if not always so applied) and allowed a large...

We’ve passed by many of the buildings seen here time and again but never really gave them much thought. Then one day while stuck in traffic and within view of a couple, a seed was planted. What’s the story with those crazy dated rooflines and how many buildings like them...

As the title proclaims, we’ve returned to Calgary’s Lynnview Ridge. Truth is we’ve been back numerous times since we first wrote about it some seven years ago, but this is the first since it was officially turned into a city green space. So what’s the deal? Well…we’re speaking of a...

A glance at the clock tells us it’s time to gather up our gear up and head on out. Tonight’s an extra special one (even by our standards) and we’re on assignment doing something a little bit different than usual for us. Our job this evening is a culture and...

We’re got a thing for retro motels and seek them out at every opportunity. It’s a nostalgia rush and for the full immersive experience we often make them our home on road trips. For those on a tight budget (so us) they’re usually the best choice too and if this...

When bored to tears on evenings during the worst of the pandemic (first wave in particular), we’d take time to social-distance explore if the chance presented itself. It was simple: find a suitably interesting location we knew we would be free of people, one with character and simply wander about....

To keep the lights on and fresh content coming here at BIGDoer.com, we take on outside jobs. There’s many hats worn here and we’ll even grab a broom if it’ll advance the cause. Running a website of this scope would drive most into bankruptcy, or minimally inspire friends and family...

We use the Red Deer River Valley as a base of operations for many adventures. The area has all the things we love, historic stuff (going back eons!), much fabulous scenery, interesting people to hang with and great everything. Then there’s the free crash pad we get to use when...

We’re looking at a legendary Gottlieb Wedgehead! These single player machines are highly regarded among the pinball fraternity and are known for their awesome game play and interesting themes and design. Made in the ’60s to ’70s and named for their unique tapering backbox, they are sought after and quickly...

When overnighting it on some extended adventure, we like to get to know our temporary hometown. Come evening we’ll often wander about randomly and play the curious visitor. It’s a great way to unwind and any chance to soak up a local vibe is something we love. Maybe it’s things...

We like to cover subjects that some might see as odd or usual. They always ask..”you’re into…that?”…and the answer is almost always yes. It sure keeps life interesting. Today’s photo-essay demonstrates it perfectly, a look at an old disused railway line deep inside the big city. It’s true, we find...

We came to photograph the Big Four Building on the Stampede Grounds for an article we’re doing on unique mid-century architecture in Calgary. Can you say zig-zag roof? That’s the focus of the planned piece, which will look at buildings done up in that style or similar in form (wavy...

There’s nothing better for the body and soul than an evening stroll. What a great way to relax and unwind. We do it at home and when on the road. Seriously, it’s how we roll. Naturally, we often bring a camera to try and capture the peace and tranquility that...