Yesterday, 30 August 2021, I decided, after seeing rain in the forecast for a few coming days, to do a long drive NE of Calgary, to the Badlands. Knowing that it was getting dark earlier and earlier in the evenings, I knew that I was running out of days on which I would be able to do these long drives. My main destinations to call in at were south of Drumheller.

I had longed to go out there for so many years. It must have been 30+ years ago that I first saw one particular area of the Badlands of Alberta. A few times, I had been fairly close when I went on several botany trips out that way, but when you are carpooling, you can't just go wherever you want. So, on 29 September 2014, my youngest daughter and I decided that we both wanted to make this trip. Since then, I believe I have only driven that way once more, on 5 August 2019, until my trip yesterday. I was out for nine hours and much of that time was actual driving. The further east I went, the more I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere.

Amazingly, the weather was good, with blue sky most of the time. It still seems strange to see blue sky and not overcast and smoky from the British Columbia wildfires. I think the temperature got up to about 28C, so not unbearably hot.

The first thing I photographed was a rather attractive moth, resting next to my front door outside. It may have been the moth that I had photographed earlier, on my bathroom ceiling.

About half way on the drive, I drove several back roads to take another look at an old barn I fell in love with last winter, while searching for a Snowy Owl. I was shocked and saddened to find no sign of the old barn except for a pile of wood that had collapsed or been pulled down. Maybe it was becoming dangerously unsafe in the farmyard?

Feeling somewhat 'down', I continued on my way and eventually stopped to take a handful of photos of this fine church. It seems so out of place on the prairies. The church building, inspired by a typical Danish church, was finished in 1936, though there has been a church on this site since the first settlers arrived in Dalum in 1918.

Two new-to-me grain elevators were enjoyed and quickly photographed. It's not very often that I find one that I have never seen before.

A couple of times, I stopped to take a few photos of wild Sunflowers that were growing at the edge of gravel roads. An attractive moth was at rest on one of the flowers. Insects seem to really like these bright and cheery wildflowers.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover that there were not a lot of people at the Hoodoos. I have been there when there were endless crowds of visitors all over the place, making it difficult to take photos, and to find a parking spot. These natural "works of art" are so beautiful and interesting.

Driving further south, I stopped at one of my favourite places - an old almost-ghost town. Here, there are two lovely old country churches, old barns, old cars and tractors/farm equipment. Also, a very old, extremely weathered grain elevator that lost its roof in a storm a few years ago. Such a shame that it has never been replaced. I love the Badlands setting for this prairie sentinel.

A final place to call in at was The Last Saloon, where I bought some Sweet Potato Fries 'to go'. This is a very popular place, including with motorcyclists.

Having left home in the morning a few minutes after 9:00 am, I finally reached home about 6:00 pm, happy and tired out. A great day, full of lots of things to see. Though they were all familiar, they are always fun to see and photograph again. Hope to get in a few more drives in the next three or four weeks, before the snow arrives and stays on the ground for seven months! Where did the summer go?!

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"Not that long ago the small community of Hussar Alberta had an pretty good size “elevator row”, a half dozen prairie sentinels in a neat little line right beside the railway tracks. Fast forward to today and all but one of those buildings mentioned are gone, and the trains, well, they no longer visit. It’s simply amazing the difference a few years can make!

The grain elevator discussed here is the third such building to stand on this same spot. The original structure, constructed in the 1960s, burned to the ground in the early 80s. Not long after work on a replacement was started, but before they got terribly far, it too went up in flames. I understand both fires were suspicious is nature. Third time’s a charm and in 1981 the final elevator, the one seen here, was completed."

www.bigdoer.com/20470/exploring-history/prairie-sentinels...

Yesterday, 30 August 2021, I decided, after seeing rain in the forecast for a few coming days, to do a long drive NE of Calgary, to the Badlands. Knowing that it was getting dark earlier and earlier in the evenings, I knew that I was running out of days on which I would be able to do these long drives. My main destinations to call in at were south of Drumheller.

I had longed to go out there for so many years. It must have been 30+ years ago that I first saw one particular area of the Badlands of Alberta. A few times, I had been fairly close when I went on several botany trips out that way, but when you are carpooling, you can't just go wherever you want. So, on 29 September 2014, my youngest daughter and I decided that we both wanted to make this trip. Since then, I believe I have only driven that way once more, on 5 August 2019, until my trip yesterday. I was out for nine hours and much of that time was actual driving. The further east I went, the more I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere.

Amazingly, the weather was good, with blue sky most of the time. It still seems strange to see blue sky and not overcast and smoky from the British Columbia wildfires. I think the temperature got up to about 28C, so not unbearably hot.

The first thing I photographed was a rather attractive moth, resting next to my front door outside. It may have been the moth that I had photographed earlier, on my bathroom ceiling.

About half way on the drive, I drove several back roads to take another look at an old barn I fell in love with last winter, while searching for a Snowy Owl. I was shocked and saddened to find no sign of the old barn except for a pile of wood that had collapsed or been pulled down. Maybe it was becoming dangerously unsafe in the farmyard?

Feeling somewhat 'down', I continued on my way and eventually stopped to take a handful of photos of this fine church. It seems so out of place on the prairies. The church building, inspired by a typical Danish church, was finished in 1936, though there has been a church on this site since the first settlers arrived in Dalum in 1918.

Two new-to-me grain elevators were enjoyed and quickly photographed. It's not very often that I find one that I have never seen before.

A couple of times, I stopped to take a few photos of wild Sunflowers that were growing at the edge of gravel roads. An attractive moth was at rest on one of the flowers. Insects seem to really like these bright and cheery wildflowers.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover that there were not a lot of people at the Hoodoos. I have been there when there were endless crowds of visitors all over the place, making it difficult to take photos, and to find a parking spot. These natural "works of art" are so beautiful and interesting.

Driving further south, I stopped at one of my favourite places - an old almost-ghost town. Here, there are two lovely old country churches, old barns, old cars and tractors/farm equipment. Also, a very old, extremely weathered grain elevator that lost its roof in a storm a few years ago. Such a shame that it has never been replaced. I love the Badlands setting for this prairie sentinel.

A final place to call in at was The Last Saloon, where I bought some Sweet Potato Fries 'to go'. This is a very popular place, including with motorcyclists.

Having left home in the morning a few minutes after 9:00 am, I finally reached home about 6:00 pm, happy and tired out. A great day, full of lots of things to see. Though they were all familiar, they are always fun to see and photograph again. Hope to get in a few more drives in the next three or four weeks, before the snow arrives and stays on the ground for seven months! Where did the summer go?!

Tags:   Alberta Canada NE of Calgary Hussar grain elevator completed in 1981

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Yesterday, 30 August 2021, I decided, after seeing rain in the forecast for a few coming days, to do a long drive NE of Calgary, to the Badlands. Knowing that it was getting dark earlier and earlier in the evenings, I knew that I was running out of days on which I would be able to do these long drives. My main destinations to call in at were south of Drumheller.

I had longed to go out there for so many years. It must have been 30+ years ago that I first saw one particular area of the Badlands of Alberta. A few times, I had been fairly close when I went on several botany trips out that way, but when you are carpooling, you can't just go wherever you want. So, on 29 September 2014, my youngest daughter and I decided that we both wanted to make this trip. Since then, I believe I have only driven that way once more, on 5 August 2019, until my trip yesterday. I was out for nine hours and much of that time was actual driving. The further east I went, the more I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere.

Amazingly, the weather was good, with blue sky most of the time. It still seems strange to see blue sky and not overcast and smoky from the British Columbia wildfires. I think the temperature got up to about 28C, so not unbearably hot.

The first thing I photographed was a rather attractive moth, resting next to my front door outside. It may have been the moth that I had photographed earlier, on my bathroom ceiling.

About half way on the drive, I drove several back roads to take another look at an old barn I fell in love with last winter, while searching for a Snowy Owl. I was shocked and saddened to find no sign of the old barn except for a pile of wood that had collapsed or been pulled down. Maybe it was becoming dangerously unsafe in the farmyard?

Feeling somewhat 'down', I continued on my way and eventually stopped to take a handful of photos of this fine church. It seems so out of place on the prairies. The church building, inspired by a typical Danish church, was finished in 1936, though there has been a church on this site since the first settlers arrived in Dalum in 1918.

Two new-to-me grain elevators were enjoyed and quickly photographed. It's not very often that I find one that I have never seen before.

A couple of times, I stopped to take a few photos of wild Sunflowers that were growing at the edge of gravel roads. An attractive moth was at rest on one of the flowers. Insects seem to really like these bright and cheery wildflowers.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover that there were not a lot of people at the Hoodoos. I have been there when there were endless crowds of visitors all over the place, making it difficult to take photos, and to find a parking spot. These natural "works of art" are so beautiful and interesting.

Driving further south, I stopped at one of my favourite places - an old almost-ghost town. Here, there are two lovely old country churches, old barns, old cars and tractors/farm equipment. Also, a very old, extremely weathered grain elevator that lost its roof in a storm a few years ago. Such a shame that it has never been replaced. I love the Badlands setting for this prairie sentinel.

A final place to call in at was The Last Saloon, where I bought some Sweet Potato Fries 'to go'. This is a very popular place, including with motorcyclists.

Having left home in the morning a few minutes after 9:00 am, I finally reached home about 6:00 pm, happy and tired out. A great day, full of lots of things to see. Though they were all familiar, they are always fun to see and photograph again. Hope to get in a few more drives in the next three or four weeks, before the snow arrives and stays on the ground for seven months! Where did the summer go?!

Tags:   Alberta Canada NE of Calgary Vesper Sparrow

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Yesterday, 30 August 2021, I decided, after seeing rain in the forecast for a few coming days, to do a long drive NE of Calgary, to the Badlands. Knowing that it was getting dark earlier and earlier in the evenings, I knew that I was running out of days on which I would be able to do these long drives. My main destinations to call in at were south of Drumheller.

I had longed to go out there for so many years. It must have been 30+ years ago that I first saw one particular area of the Badlands of Alberta. A few times, I had been fairly close when I went on several botany trips out that way, but when you are carpooling, you can't just go wherever you want. So, on 29 September 2014, my youngest daughter and I decided that we both wanted to make this trip. Since then, I believe I have only driven that way once more, on 5 August 2019, until my trip yesterday. I was out for nine hours and much of that time was actual driving. The further east I went, the more I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere.

Amazingly, the weather was good, with blue sky most of the time. It still seems strange to see blue sky and not overcast and smoky from the British Columbia wildfires. I think the temperature got up to about 28C, so not unbearably hot.

The first thing I photographed was a rather attractive moth, resting next to my front door outside. It may have been the moth that I had photographed earlier, on my bathroom ceiling.

About half way on the drive, I drove several back roads to take another look at an old barn I fell in love with last winter, while searching for a Snowy Owl. I was shocked and saddened to find no sign of the old barn except for a pile of wood that had collapsed or been pulled down. Maybe it was becoming dangerously unsafe in the farmyard?

Feeling somewhat 'down', I continued on my way and eventually stopped to take a handful of photos of this fine church. It seems so out of place on the prairies. The church building, inspired by a typical Danish church, was finished in 1936, though there has been a church on this site since the first settlers arrived in Dalum in 1918.

Two new-to-me grain elevators were enjoyed and quickly photographed. It's not very often that I find one that I have never seen before.

A couple of times, I stopped to take a few photos of wild Sunflowers that were growing at the edge of gravel roads. An attractive moth was at rest on one of the flowers. Insects seem to really like these bright and cheery wildflowers.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover that there were not a lot of people at the Hoodoos. I have been there when there were endless crowds of visitors all over the place, making it difficult to take photos, and to find a parking spot. These natural "works of art" are so beautiful and interesting.

Driving further south, I stopped at one of my favourite places - an old almost-ghost town. Here, there are two lovely old country churches, old barns, old cars and tractors/farm equipment. Also, a very old, extremely weathered grain elevator that lost its roof in a storm a few years ago. Such a shame that it has never been replaced. I love the Badlands setting for this prairie sentinel.

A final place to call in at was The Last Saloon, where I bought some Sweet Potato Fries 'to go'. This is a very popular place, including with motorcyclists.

Having left home in the morning a few minutes after 9:00 am, I finally reached home about 6:00 pm, happy and tired out. A great day, full of lots of things to see. Though they were all familiar, they are always fun to see and photograph again. Hope to get in a few more drives in the next three or four weeks, before the snow arrives and stays on the ground for seven months! Where did the summer go?!

Tags:   Alberta Canada NE of Calgary Badlands landscape scenery geology erosion rock hoodoo pillar Hoodoos Trail spectacular outdoor summer 30 August 2021 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott

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Yesterday, 30 August 2021, I decided, after seeing rain in the forecast for a few coming days, to do a long drive NE of Calgary, to the Badlands. Knowing that it was getting dark earlier and earlier in the evenings, I knew that I was running out of days on which I would be able to do these long drives. My main destinations to call in at were south of Drumheller.

I had longed to go out there for so many years. It must have been 30+ years ago that I first saw one particular area of the Badlands of Alberta. A few times, I had been fairly close when I went on several botany trips out that way, but when you are carpooling, you can't just go wherever you want. So, on 29 September 2014, my youngest daughter and I decided that we both wanted to make this trip. Since then, I believe I have only driven that way once more, on 5 August 2019, until my trip yesterday. I was out for nine hours and much of that time was actual driving. The further east I went, the more I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere.

Amazingly, the weather was good, with blue sky most of the time. It still seems strange to see blue sky and not overcast and smoky from the British Columbia wildfires. I think the temperature got up to about 28C, so not unbearably hot.

The first thing I photographed was a rather attractive moth, resting next to my front door outside. It may have been the moth that I had photographed earlier, on my bathroom ceiling.

About half way on the drive, I drove several back roads to take another look at an old barn I fell in love with last winter, while searching for a Snowy Owl. I was shocked and saddened to find no sign of the old barn except for a pile of wood that had collapsed or been pulled down. Maybe it was becoming dangerously unsafe in the farmyard?

Feeling somewhat 'down', I continued on my way and eventually stopped to take a handful of photos of this fine church. It seems so out of place on the prairies. The church building, inspired by a typical Danish church, was finished in 1936, though there has been a church on this site since the first settlers arrived in Dalum in 1918.

Two new-to-me grain elevators were enjoyed and quickly photographed. It's not very often that I find one that I have never seen before.

A couple of times, I stopped to take a few photos of wild Sunflowers that were growing at the edge of gravel roads. An attractive moth was at rest on one of the flowers. Insects seem to really like these bright and cheery wildflowers.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover that there were not a lot of people at the Hoodoos. I have been there when there were endless crowds of visitors all over the place, making it difficult to take photos, and to find a parking spot. These natural "works of art" are so beautiful and interesting.

Driving further south, I stopped at one of my favourite places - an old almost-ghost town. Here, there are two lovely old country churches, old barns, old cars and tractors/farm equipment. Also, a very old, extremely weathered grain elevator that lost its roof in a storm a few years ago. Such a shame that it has never been replaced. I love the Badlands setting for this prairie sentinel.

A final place to call in at was The Last Saloon, where I bought some Sweet Potato Fries 'to go'. This is a very popular place, including with motorcyclists.

Having left home in the morning a few minutes after 9:00 am, I finally reached home about 6:00 pm, happy and tired out. A great day, full of lots of things to see. Though they were all familiar, they are always fun to see and photograph again. Hope to get in a few more drives in the next three or four weeks, before the snow arrives and stays on the ground for seven months! Where did the summer go?!

Tags:   Alberta Canada NE of Calgary Dalum Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Dalum completed in 1936 Danish

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