Exploring the Indian Graves Road, just north of Chain Lakes. It was beautiful despite the mud and fresh spring snow.Beaver spring. The fat furry rodents are thriving and prolific in the foothills.Alone. Security in obscurity. Imagine a winter night alone with a tiny wood stove and a flickering lantern. Coyote’s howl as the wind moans around your tiny abode. But, first came the tiny home……Then came the little red barn.A view to die forIn the lee under a cold front
After my boat inspections were complete and truck repairs were finished I sallied forth hoping to take a day or too just for being and taking some photos. I love the foothill country of Alberta and actually concede to a growing affection for the wide open flat country and the big blue sky overhead. I also hold a delight for old buildings and there are still a few of those standing. Eventually I found a place to park for the night where I could see for miles in all directions. I hunkered down to watch the ever-changing light and the sun setting through an approaching storm. The next day I poked about in the Old Man River area. The weather flipped between snow squalls and exquisite warm sunny spells. It was an exquisite day. Here are some of my photos.
It’s about a lifestyleApparently a local tradition that goes for miles.Set for the night at the corner of Seemore And DidlessIn the morningBitter cold a breathtaking lightAt that corner the winding moaned in the poles and wiresStorm’s endAn hour laterA split decisionTo my great delight I found the Cowley Sailplane Airfield. Once again I was a child at a grass airstrip, and the memories came flooding back.Says it allMany sailplane altitude records have been set from this field.The launching winch. It is parked at the upwind end of the active runway and the line is hooked to a sailplane at the opposite end. On a signal the aircraft is winched forward at high speed. By the time the the sailplane releases the line it can be at 2000′ when it passes above the winch.A rare find, it still works…and I know how to work it. The water was sulphurous.Great faded pen art.The old horse shed. Note the gnawed board on the stable gate.Hay the modern way.The ubiquitous symbol of modern Alberta. Up and down, round and round, sucking raw crude out of the ground.Earth, wind, sky, horses.
“What a thousand acres of Silphiums looked like when they tickled the bellies of the buffalo is a question never again to be answered, and perhaps not even asked.” ― Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There
