Wake Me Up When September Ends

September has been busy busy busy around here...never enough time. I am slowly catching up on all your wonderful blogs and will be posting shortly (hopefully)! 

Enjoy a couple recent photos, currently we have snow on the ground which I refuse to acknowledge further or post a photo of.  How's the weather where you live? Take care and see everyone soon.

Uninhabited

I have driven by this old property several times as it is just south of where I live. In the summer with the trees you are likely to miss it. On a recent drive by,  I noticed a new metal gate across the overgrown driveway. I tracked down the owner and asked permission to take some photos. He seemed unconcerned and told me to go ahead. He said he put up the gate as people were illegally dumping stuff. Some people...

I came back a couple days later, properly dressed in long pants and covered in bug spray. I do not like the idea of walking through overgrown bushes and thistles in shorts. Also there could be ticks and crawly things. I remember it being hot and muggy that day. The only sounds were the insects and the birds and the occasional vehicle heading by on the gravel, oblivious to me poking around. Probably better that way.

There was the usual homestead finds. A house, barn, granary, shed, outhouse and a bunch of unidentified metal machinery hidden in the undergrowth. All surrounded by a trees, except beside the barn which opened up to a farmers field.

I didn't get any history on the place, the owner was friendly enough but not chatty so I did not want to push my luck.

The Barn

Inside the barn

Granary

Granary and shed

The House

Back of  the house

It used to be red....or pink.

Inviting foyer

Thing 1

Thing 2

Photos taken June 18, 2018.

Insert Inspirational Quote Here!

Why does summer time seem to move so fast? How can it be August 22nd already?

A few things have happened recently (that I do not need to get into here) but they had left me feeling discouraged and dispirited. So on my way home from a nearby town the other night, I decided to take a different route and get a change of scenery from the same old boring highway I have traveled so many times. It was the right choice, I took random turns but ended up where I was supposed to be.  The evening light was sensational and soft and I felt like I wanted to dance in the middle of the gravel road. I was having a moment. I was feeling inspired! It was just what I needed. It was also nice to see some blue sky after all the forest fire smoke.

I am pretty happy with some of the pictures I took and can't wait to get back out on there! All these images were taken within a few minutes of home.

I mentioned the forest fire smoke, it is blowing in from the west, where the Province of British Columbia is battling hundreds of forest fires. The sad statistic is that many of these are caused by humans.

August 15th, 2018

I am catching up with all my favourite blogs and will see you all soon!

Scenes of Sylvan

I got accepted to be part of a small photography exhibition at our local library called 'Scenes of Sylvan'. Sylvan being Sylvan Lake, Alberta. The town I now call home.

I am by no means a professional photographer....I'm not unprofessional, maybe an amateur or hobby photographer at best. But I enjoy it and I think that's what matters.

Most of my photos seem to be of the lake, as it is always different and beautiful. I have put together a few of my favourite images. Some of these may be on display. The only thing I do differently is I transfer my photos onto wood. You can see them here or on Instagram @ingrained_images.

In no particular order, some scenes in and around Sylvan Lake.

An example of the previous photo on wood!

If you find yourself in Sylvan Lake on August 18-19th, please stop by the photography show and from there it's only a couple blocks to the real lake!

Foley or Follie Timber School

Tucked away in a corner of my mind, and also in a hard copy file folder full of notes on old schools, was a mention of one called Follie Timber. I have seen it spelled Follie and Foley so I am not sure which is correct (even the local history book uses both). I passed Follie Timber Road recently and a flash of recognition burst forth from the depths of the vast (sometimes useless) ocean of knowledge in my head.

I couldn't not take that road and I eventually came to the site of the former Foley Timber School (as the marker on site confirmed). What I didn't know or expect to see was 2 old schools on the site. The marker in front of the one had the dates 1937-1952. The other school is a mystery. I couldn't find any  information on it.

Foley Timber School District was formed in 1936 and children were were taught at a local farm until the school was built in 1937. It was a bit of a late start for a school but some of the bachelors in the district opposed the school as it would mean higher taxes. A gentlemen named Guy King lead the opposition to the school, but a vote was taken while he was away and when he returned, talk had already turned to building the school. He was a good sport about it and helped prepare the logs. He ended up marrying the first school teacher so it all worked out just fine. After the school closed in 1952, it was still used for wedding dances, showers and other social functions.

I found an undated photo via internet search that does show both buildings.

Internet FTW! Photo by Margaret Epoch 

Foley Timber school is now almost totally hidden in the trees. I didn't attempt to get any closer. The other unknown school was wide open and easily accessible. I don't condone trespassing, especially if it is private property, a house, or marked 'No Trespassing'. These places are still owned by someone even if they are abandoned. I did, however, take a couple photos from the doorway.

Foley Timber, where's the door?

View from the other school

Unknown School

A pretty field down the road form the school

Thank you to the Galloway Station Museum for providing me with information from a local history book that called Then and Now: A History of Niton and Foley Timber.

Spruce Grove Grain Elevator

I have a bunch of posts on the go, waiting for info and final touches. In the meantime, here is a grain elevator!

The Spruce Grove Elevator was built in 1958 and was in operation until 1995. It was then due to be demolished, but thankfully the Ag Society stepped in and prevented what would have been a blow to the already small number of surviving elevators in our province. This one is the last remaining wooden grain elevator on the CN line west of Edmonton

It has been restored, is fully functional and operates as a museum. The Spruce Grove and District Agricultural Heritage Society operates the Museum and Archives. The Farmers Market is also held here every Saturday from April - December.

There was no one else there when we stopped and the volunteer in the elevator office seemed surprised to have more visitors, as one family had already visited that day. Shows how many people stop and see these historical places. Many places we visit (small town museums etc.) operate on donations, I always make sure I have cash with me, it's not always a lot but at least it is something.

After looking around the elevator and taking a few photos, we noticed a trailer in the back that housed the archives. It was open and a lady named Marnie was there, as a volunteer. We had a good chat about old schools, the sad state of funding and apathy towards these old places (by individuals as well as local government). She told me of the plans for the museum, and mentioned more than once that it was something she'd not see in her lifetime. I think she was happy that we stopped to visit. I was.

More info on this elevator here.

Worlds Largest Dragonfly

Back in September 2017 I did a post on Roadside Attractions.  You know them, you've seen them, you've probably taken a photo of them. They are sometimes the thing that a small town is known for.

BEHOLD! The Worlds Largest Dragonfly!

Located in Wabamun AB, it was installed in 2009. Created by Frank Phaneuf, who is a structural welder, with the intent to draw more tourists to town. It is the unofficial mascot of the village due to the annual hatching of thousands of dragonflies each June, also the same month the Dragonfly Festival is held. The 'Frankenfly' includes aircraft wings, a light standard and propane tanks. It is 30ft long and it's wings are about 30ft wide. 

Are there any 'Worlds Largest' something or other near you? I now need to go find the Worlds Largest Mosquito, which does exist, in Manitoba.