Our original intention was to summit Mt Hoffmann, a modest size bump in the front ranges up the Sheep River valley. An error in navigating however takes us to an outlier, not a bad destination in itself. While at the top, we take cover and bid our time as storm...
A mix tape is a compilation of music. Our mix tape is in article form and includes subjects like food we bring on the trail, a famous BC ghost town, a small coal mine and a lineup of ancient railway boxcars 1) Located in a rugged and narrow mountain valley...
The Glenmore Reservoir is an urban oasis and home to many parks and an extensive pathway system. In spite of being almost surrounded by the city its a great place to get away from it all. You can picnic, hike, bike, blade, sail, canoe, horseback ride, kite fly or bird...
The CPR’s Crossfield Subdivision was one the last lines constructed during the great prairie branchline building boom and less than 50 years later, it was one of the first to be abandoned. Many would agree that this line should have never been built in the first place and it’s doubtful...
Not one but two large mining shovels, along with the bucket of a third can be seen at the Diplomat Mine interpretive site near Forestburg Alberta. These massive machines represent some of the last of their kind and are historically significant. Also shown in the report is an old dragline...
The Coleman Collieries coal processing plant can’t be missed. Clearly seen from the highway, or from nearly anywhere within town, the massive blue complex looms over a forgotten and quiet section of Coleman. Long abandoned, it’s the last of it’s kind in the area and there are rumours it will...
It’s the early 1860s and the word in the hills is that there is gold on the Wildhorse. A mad rush ensures and the town of Fisherville is born. Situated at the end of the Dewdney Trail deep in southeastern BC, this was once a rip roaring town with many...
This year is a first for us and I believe we’ve documented more Trillium trailers while playing the Boler spotting game, than we have Bolers themselves. Not unusual I guess since the former has been manufactured over a longer period of time. Because they are so Boler-like however, we’ll include...
Potpourri is a blend of scents but it’s also a term for an interesting mixture of things, Today’s potpourri report includes short articles on an old fire truck, an even older airport, a grain elevator and a trail deep in the southeastern BC Rockies. 1) Like nearly every town in...
The steam locomotive seen here has sat abandoned for over 100 years. Used in construction of the CPR’s famous Spiral Tunnels that bypassed the problematic “Big Hill”, when this project was completed the engine was simply left behind. Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, this Mogul (Whyte...
Nearly indistinguishable from its American counterpart the Northern Telecom Model 500 is by far the most common rotary telephone seen in Canada. Every household from the 1950s until the 1980s seemed to have one (all my friends parents did). And most like this one, were black. Based on the US...
This trip, our third up to the Barrier Lake Fire Lookout, we make a loop using the Jewel Pass and Stoney trails. A nice change of pace from the normal point to point route. this way is a tad longer and offers some nice new and exciting views along the...
Today’s selection includes mountain vistas, coal mining remnants, old pickups and even older airplanes, along with a charming small prairie town bank. Each soup posting will showcase random pictures taken from our adventures. 1) This is the view from the Powderface Creek hiking trail looking to Nihahi Ridge, a long...
Trillium: A flower with three large leaf shaped petals and an official symbol of the province of Ontario. It’s also a cute little trailer. Trillium trailers are certainly the most common of the Boler look-alikes, but under close examination it’s very easy to determine which you are looking at. The...
The Happy Trails pathway system in High River Alberta reaches to every corner of town and it’s a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors. Paved, with a few sections on the road, one can take a leisurely stroll, or a long bike ride. For my trip, I...
These images, scanned from 35mm prints taken in 1997, show a little bit of the rail line in and around the old coal mining town of Nordegg Alberta. Some pictures from this series have gone missing in the years since, however you can still get an idea of what the...
One day is hardly enough time to explore the Pioneer Acres Museum in Irricana Alberta. There are many exhibits for all to enjoy, but of particular interest to guys is the extensive collection of trucks, tractors and other pieces of machinery. It’s just mind boggling how much they have, some...
Given the names in the area – Devil’s Gap, Phantom Crag and the Ghost Lakes – one might think it best to avoid this place, especially so near Halloween. In spite of the spooky names and sometimes dark history, one is treated to a nice hike along with some incredible...
Queenstown Alberta is a forgotten place, just a mere dot on the map in the middle of nowhere. Located on a gravel back road and along an abandoned railway line, not many pass through this prairie settlement and for those who do, it just takes one blink and they’ve missed...
The namesake flower on their sides is one of the most obvious spotting features of a Trillium trailer. However, there are others that can help them stand out as well, including the squarish front window. On Bolers it is more rounded. This example was being used by a vendor at...
Based on the American made Western Electric 55X series rotary wall phone, this example represents the Canadian made equivalent. Produced by ITT in Canada either for of under sub-licence to Northern Telecom, these are generally indistinguishable from their US counterparts. This style is also equivalent to the well known and...
This particular then and now series was a complete accident. The first image shows machinery at the Greenhill Coal Mine in Blairmore Alberta, in the Crowsnest Pass, in 1924. The second, taken in 2012, almost duplicates the first. What’s really interesting is that is the later was taken without the...
Because of their small size and maneuverability, Boler trailers can often found tucked away in backyards when not being used. A definite plus, this means they don’t need to be placed in an expensive paid storage lot, nor do they need to take up space on the driveway. This “backyard...
Of the three possible routes to the summit of Jumpingpound Mountain, we choose the longer and more scenic north approach. The trail snakes its way up to the top, a broad and flat open ridge which can be followed for a number of kilometres. It’s a wonderful ridge walk! This...
Tent Mountain was not only the last coal mine operating in the Crowsnest Pass, it was also one of the largest. Situated near the Alberta/BC border, portions of it were in either province. Production ended in the early 1980s and this closed the book on mining in The Pass. After...
While exploring an area north of Lethbridge Alberta we came across the Big Pink Trailer. This beauty, known as a Country Clipper (Country Clipper 24), was made by the Clipper Coach Company of Ilderton Ontario. Quite large, the design has graceful lines and with it’s riveted aluminium construction looks almost...
Spotted just outside the Rum Runner Pub in Coleman Alberta (yummm nachos), this little Boler looks so tiny compared to the truck pulling it. But it’s that small size that gives them a huge advantage – unlike most other trailers they can be parked nearly anywhere and they are so...
This is part two of our adventure where we bike in to explore the ghost town of Lille Alberta in the Crowsnest Pass. For part one, we discuss the trail and one of the mines seen along the way in. For this report, we cover some, but not all of...
Starting near the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre, this bike trip takes us through a maze of roads. paths and ATV trails to the ghost town of Lille Alberta. Along the way, we pass by the remains of a coal mine, mine #1 of the West Canadian Collieries Ltd. Lille operation....
Smallville High School has changed very little over the years and from the 1970s when the Superman movie was filmed here to today one would be hard pressed to find many differences. See for yourself. The big field has been altered a bit and the school grounds have a new...
In the sparsely populated dry belt region of Eastern Alberta. These are the only trees for miles around and the nearest neighbour is well over the horizon. No joke! This fairly modern ranch house stood empty on our visit and soon after was torn down. The owners retired and moved on a few years prior.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2019. Posted by Johanna (Connie).
The town of Stavely Alberta is found just over one hundred kilometres south of Calgary and to those travelling the #2, most noteworthy for its huge grain elevator there beside the highway. It can’t be missed but at the same time, it sort of hides downtown.
Many of of buildings seen there are of of a rather substantial brick construction and most date from the mid 1920s. They were built after a fire swept through town, destroying the business district and the rules for new construction changed so it didn’t happen again. Wood was no longer allowed.
More info about the town and a bonus photo in the comments👇
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2022. Posted by Johanna (Connie). Town of Stavely
Not a lot of years separate these two photos but in that time the change has been dramatic. The trains are no more and the row of elevators has been reduced to one.
Down by the tracks in Arrowwood Alberta, 1997 and 2015. Interestingly the then photo is from us and this a rare case of Team BIGDoer shooting both. It was captured by Chris back when he was doing oilfield hotshot.
The last elevator standing is a former Alberta Wheat Pool facility and dates from the 1970s. That's it's fairly modern is perhaps the reason it survived into today and it's now used by a local farmer for grain storage.
Check the comments to know more 👇
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Posted by Connie.
Spotted while documenting The Great Beater Challenge, 2021 edition! Here, it's a little diversion into the near ghost town of Orkney Saskatchewan to look at a disused Patterson Grain Elevator. The structure dates from the 1970s and was built with features foreshadowing those used in high throughput grain terminals of today. Fast load systems and the like.
Check out that vintage yield sign and we doubt it's really needed any more. There's no traffic on these streets.
BTW, we got to chase the Beater Challenge 2023 and we'll post about it soon.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2021. Posted by Connie.
After we drop off a couple rolls for processing, we'll call home! A little corner pharmacy, in a nondescript Calgary strip mall, and it's sort of lost in time. Shot in 2016 and we find anachronisms like this fascinating!
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Posted by Connie.
St Francis in the Woods out in BC's East Kootenay region dates back over a century. It's sort of hidden away down a little backroad and is far removed from the modern world. While no longer used in a spiritual capacity, it still hosts community functions from time to time. Otherwise, silence rules.
Know more about this subject in a link posted to the comments.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2023. Posted by Connie.
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