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I was able to get out and do some exploring as well this weekend. Exploring in this part of Alberta is different from where I usually haunt. It seems lonelier, buildings and farms are less frequent and towns are small and far apart. Better make sure you have a full tank before heading out. I was expecting snow when I planned this trip but it turns out a chinook blew through and melted all the snow (not global warming). It was windy and the skies were beautiful, with lovely colours of pink and orange on the horizon over the Sweetgrass Hills to the south.
One of my many stops was Skiff, AB. This tiny quiet hamlet has a few streets of houses an old General Store and, the reason I stopped in, a grain elevator. The name Skiff appears to be a nautical reference as there are streets called Rudder, Tiller and Bow.
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| Minty shed, near Skiff. |
The old general store is a block away from the elevator. You can still faintly read 'General Store' and John Deere Farm Equipment'.
Below is an old photo from 1999 of the elevators courtesy of Chris Stackhouse, who has photographed many wooden grain elevators as well as prairie life and much more, check him out!
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| I love the painting-like quality of this photo |
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| A photo from the 1970's by Eric Musekamp via Flickr |
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| Photo courtesy of Joe Kuzmiski |
After leaving Skiff, I found an old homestead. All that remains are several sheds and outbuildings. There was also a stone set of steps that once led to a house. It would've been a magnificent view from the front door of that home.
All my photos taken on November 25th, 2017.
I need to learn to take better photos. I have been in this area before and I do not remember it looking this good. I will have to go back.
ReplyDeleteLots to see, just need more time!
DeleteA nautically-themed town in landlocked Alberta -- hmmm, settled by maritimers perhaps? LOL. Also, I love Lethbridge -- it's a great city!
ReplyDeleteFunny eh? No water that I could see except for sloughs! I enjoy my visits to Lethbridge.
DeleteLove the old grain elevators! The nautical theme seems out of place but the sea of wheat...?
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie! Definitely huge seas of wheat down there, but not much water.
DeleteFantastic images of those old grain elevators. They are so isolated out there in the countryside. Be interesting to talk to someone about how life was when the area was prospering.
ReplyDeleteL love the b&w photos, they fit right in to the era of these grain elevators.
Hi Bill! Less than a couple hundred left from almost 2000 of these elevators. There are lots of locals willing to chat if you run into one, those are the best days!
DeleteI haven't been through Skiff for about a year but I do love that old farm equipment building and big yellow elevator. Sounds like you had a nice time down there!
ReplyDeleteHi Micheal, I really liked it down there and want to explore more!!
DeleteYou're right Jenn, it does have a lonely feel to it. Skiff looks like a ghost town now. I hope you're feeling better!! Beautiful photos, those mountains in the background are so beautiful. I love mountains! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rain! A few people live in Skiff, I did't actually see anyone but there are houses!
DeleteGlad you are still taking advantage of the wonderful prairie light and exploring the out of the way spaces, I really like the skiff elevator with grain cars and the Sweetgrass Hills, Take care Jenn.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris, I really love that area. Very different from Central AB exploring!
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