Well well well Monday, we meet again. I don't like you and you don't like me, luckily it was a pretty good weekend so I can't stay mad at you. Even when I tried to go out and had a completely flat tire, even when I had to trudge through knee deep snow to dig my air compressor out of the shed and EVEN when I was out on the street in -30C filling my tire. I wasn't even bothered when I found a big bolt in the tire and was rapidly losing air pressure as I drove to the tire shop. Even after all that, you're just another day and you aren't the boss of me.
This weekend started on Friday, I was off work and home with my son, I had a big order of pictures to work on so we just hung out around the house. I was keeping an eye on the road reports and weather since we had a trip planned to Oyen on Saturday, which is a 3.5hr drive east of me. I was meeting up with a friend and a local guy who I know of but had never met in person. We had permission to go on some private land which is always a bonus!
Conditions looked good, so we were up early and on the road while it was still dark. Roads were a bit rough part way but otherwise not bad. We got to Oyen, only 20 minutes late and started our day! We saw a ton of cool places over the next few hours, but I am starting with an old school.
Fairacres School operated in 2 locations, Fairacres #1, operated from 1911-1937 and is marked by a sign. It was moved in 1937 because there were no people left north of the site, so it was moved to a more central location, and Fairacres #2, operated from 1937-1944 and was then left on site.
Even though it was a only a short walk from the road to the school, it was bitterly cold with the wind chill stinging my face. I can't imagine going to and from this school during our frigid prairie winters.
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Fairacres looks pretty for good being 107 years old.
Very nice. It looks great in black and white.
ReplyDeleteThanks, need to change it up, can only shoot a school so many ways.
DeleteA wonderfully aged structure! Well worth getting out to.
ReplyDeleteIf Monday was a person, we'd have to wrap it in chains, fit it with cement shoes, and dump it in the Marianas Trench. :)
Thanks William, had a great day trip to a part of Alberta I haven't been to before, and even briefly into Saskatchewan.
DeleteYes, Monday can just go away lol.
Too bad about the bolt in your tire. Sheesh! And yes, 107 years old and not a saggy bit in sight. I'm jealous.
ReplyDeleteLOL Debra!
DeleteI am just glad the tire incident wasn't while I was on the highway the day before.
Wow! That one's a beauty and already a favourite! What are the chances the bell is still in the tower?
ReplyDeleteHmmm...seems like everybody was in Oyen on the weekend.
Hi Michael...good question! I will ask.
DeleteLOL yes I was with a certain blogger friend of ours.
Hi Jenn :) Monday is NOT the boss of you!!! It sucks to have a flat, especially in winter! That's a beautiful church, but yes, it definitely looks cold. And I'm sure the kids had to walk a LONG way back then to and from, brrr!
ReplyDeleteHI Rain! From yesterday to today it has been a 30 degree difference, from -36 to -6 currently and warming up. I suppose they had to deal with crazy Alberta weather back then too.
DeleteWhat a beauty that old school is for its age. I love the old weathered look of the wood and the metal sign and frame are awesome to see.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill! The school really does look good. I love seeing the school markers, different counties around the province have different styles and these are some of the bigger ones.
DeleteThat third photo is perfect. The building is photogenic and you captured it perfectly!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie, I figured with so many photos of the school I might as well try something different.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the tour Jenn!
ReplyDeleteI really did!! Thanks so much!!
DeleteA great story Jenn! Sorry to hear about the tire. That always sucks!
ReplyDeleteHi Tim, saw lots of cool stuff that day. The tire situation sucked but I am glad I was able to do it without help and get it to the tire shop.
DeleteI'm I guessing the preservation society looks after Fairacres Jenn, it looks well tended. Bad luck about the bolt in tyre, for me it was a nail.. so very annoying.. but then I think to myself if that's the extent of my problems I pretty much have nothing to complain about 😀
ReplyDeleteHi PDP, this one is one private land but yes there are some that are cared for by a historical or preservation society, lots became community halls also. This one looks like it was used for grain storage.
DeleteThat is true, a bolt or nail in the tire is minor. Although I am thankful it didn't happen the day before on the highway.
Nice group of pics :-) In the prairie sun. What a solid old building, even after having been moved.
ReplyDeleteThanks Frank! Can you imagine the task of moving a school or a grain elevator? Seems like it'd be quite the undertaking, especially a grain elevator!
DeleteI love the pic of the school against the blue sky!
ReplyDeleteThanks RedPat, it was lovely blue skies all day but the wind was so cold.
DeleteWOW! What a school!
ReplyDelete(sucks about the tire, though.. glad it didn't happen out there on the prairie)
Thanks Steve! It is a cool school!
DeleteI am also thankful it didn't happen out on the highway!!
-30C? Is Alberta like ice-hell?
ReplyDeleteLOL sometimes....so yesterday was -36 and today it was +6...a 40 degree weather change. Just enough to make it slushy and now it'll freeze again. Yaaay Canada.
DeleteSo amazing to see this old school still standing after all those harsh prairie winters! Great photos!
ReplyDeleteI just can't imagine that kind of cold!
Hi Christine, no one should have to feel that cold lol!
DeleteYes it's still nice and solid this school!
You're such an amazing photographer! And a very prolific one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Sable...I'm just a girl with a camera.
DeleteYour temperatures sound awful! You're much tougher than I am. I wouldn't even consider going out in that. The school does look pretty good for being so old. Your pictures are great.
ReplyDeleteThanks Danielle, I hate to say I am used to the winter and winter driving...I would rather not have to bundle up to walk to the mailbox though lol!
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