Vanishing from the skyline.
James.
Standing strong.
James.
Winter visit.
Due to some streak of luck, what would normally be a cold, snowy January in the prairies, has been quite the opposite with 3 or 4 days of +8 to +10 degree temps. That coupled with highways being clear of snow & ice, I had no other choice than to wake the new Versys from it's mid-winter slumber & rack up 350 km's of winter riding. On one of those days, I was able to make the 75 km stretch to the old brick mansion that had been my Season ending ride this fall. The front yard was knee deep in snow & with no recognizable footprints, other than some deer tracks. At least it was receiving a break from the vandals. I guess they take winters off before starting their destructive rampage again in the spring. It was quite peaceful, the old house slumbering away, seemingly no worse for wear. I had planned on a re-visit to this house in the spring but it seems spring came a little early. Now if it stays is another question. Michael was also able to fit a ride into his schedule. I guess we can say this was the first Ghost Ride of the 2015 season!! Sure was refreshing to be on the bike again!!
James.
Soda Lake.
This is a picture of yours truly taken by Michael on an incredible ride complete with Ghost Towns, Ghost Houses & this mineralized lake. There was, long ago, a small Hamlet in this area called Soda Lake, aptly named for the water bodies that dry up towards the end of summer, leaving white soda. The small town is long gone but other surrounding towns still survive & were the highlight of this ride.
James.
Through the trees.
The great part about spring Ghost riding is the trees have not yet sprouted leaves, thus giving the opportunity to see these old homesteads before they're covered & hidden amongst the foliage. This home was long abandoned except for the active bee hives beside the house.
James.
Flower Power.
Every year, towards the end of spring, early summer, the landscape starts to change up here on the Prairies. Life once again starts coming forth after the long brutal winter. One of the first flowers that shows up is, curiously, our provincial flower, the one found on our license plates among other places, the Alberta Rose. The bloom lasts a couple weeks before slowly disappearing, only to be replaced by other varieties of flowers, which are continually replaced until the last flowers bloom before the end of fall. Coinciding with the different species of flowers is the vast insect life which all take their turn hatching, living their 2 or 3 week lifespan, then disappearing only to be replaced with another species. It truly is amazing just how much life there is in this harsh climate & summer seems to be the time everything explodes in a brief colorful display as nature must know that winter up here is always just around the corner. I purposely set a week or 2 aside to ride to these natural areas & try to capture some of nature's splendor before it slips away. It's my favorite time to ride & I'm always amazed at the beauty that is on display at this time of year!
James.
Mystery brush?
If you asked a young person today what this item is, I doubt they would have a clue. I however, remember my Father's morning ritual of taking the shaving brush, running it under the tap, stirring it in the soap bowl till it got nice & frothy, applying the foam to his face. Then He'd take his old Remington & shave himself, followed up by a splash of Aqua Velva. Another part of history that you'll never see again. This shaving brush was used one morning for the last time, placed on the wash stand & never used again.
James.
Wooden Ships.
Sadly, this old boat is gone now, crushed to pieces by an excavator along with the house & all the outbuildings. I remember first discovering the disintegrating boat & the matching mid-'50's Mercury outboard in the basement of the old home. Everything in this picture is gone now right down to the grass. All that remains is bald prairie with no reminders that an old house once stood here.
James.
Ghost Woods.
This is a very beautiful natural area found along our river ride. A very old part of the province that probably hasn't changed in over 100 years. Sadly, the gas industry is ramping up it's pipeline development in this area & not only have we lost 2 Ghost houses in the area but a third one will be gone by next year. I fear this beautiful treed area will also be lost to the ravages of progress in the not too distant future. All we can do is enjoy it while it's still here.
James.
House on the Hill.
The old pioneer home on the day I visited. Such character, even in it's rundown condition, it still has such great presence, history oozes from this place. It was one of my favorite visits this year.
James.
Majesty!
On a mid summer ride in search of a small Ghost Town, I happened across this beautiful piece of property, obviously well taken care of by the owner. Looking at this homestead, you could still get a sense of how it must have looked 100 years ago. Unfortunately, due to the proximity of an occupied house, right across from this place, we weren't able to explore this majestic home. We will patiently bide our time until an opportunity arises to set foot in this relatively untouched pioneer home.
James.
The Distinguished Gentlemen's ride 2014.
Although most of our ride time is spent in search of those elusive Ghost Houses, Ghost towns & anything else that we find of interest, once in awhile, we find ourselves riding in the big city. So this september, we donned our best suits & ties & weathered the cold morning ride to meet up with other Gentlemen & Gentle Ladies to ride for a very worthy cause, that being Prostrate Cancer. I chose my Yamaha 750 Triple for this ride while Michael rode his gorgeous Triumph Gulf Bonneville. While the goal this year was one million dollars, it was far surpassed & I'm sure as the ride grows & gains more support, that number will only go up in years to come. It was a cool but pleasant day with the usual Tom foolery & general frivolity. As luck would have it, once the ride was over & we were on our way home, the clouds parted, the sun shone forth & it went up 15 degrees!
James.
Prairie Sentinels
O Solitude! if I must with thee dwell, Let it not be among the jumbled heap. Of murky buildings: climb with me the steep,—
Nature's observatory—whence the dell, In flowery slopes, its river's crystal swell, May seem a span; let me thy vigils keep
'Mongst boughs pavilioned, where the deer's swift leap. Startles the wild bee from the foxglove bell. But though I'll gladly trace these scenes with thee, Yet the sweet converse of an innocent mind, Whose words are images of thoughts refined, Is my soul's pleasure; and it sure must be. Almost the highest bliss of human-kind,When to thy haunts two kindred spirits flee.
- John Keats, O Solitude! If I Must With Thee Dwell.
Nature's observatory—whence the dell, In flowery slopes, its river's crystal swell, May seem a span; let me thy vigils keep
'Mongst boughs pavilioned, where the deer's swift leap. Startles the wild bee from the foxglove bell. But though I'll gladly trace these scenes with thee, Yet the sweet converse of an innocent mind, Whose words are images of thoughts refined, Is my soul's pleasure; and it sure must be. Almost the highest bliss of human-kind,When to thy haunts two kindred spirits flee.
- John Keats, O Solitude! If I Must With Thee Dwell.
- Michael
Looking Outwards to see Inwards
“We live together, we act on, and react to, one another; but always and in all circumstances we are by ourselves. [...] By its very nature every embodied spirit is doomed to suffer and enjoy in solitude. Sensations, feelings, insights, fancies - all these are private and, except through symbols and at second hand, incommunicable.”
― Aldous Huxley, The Doors of Perception & Heaven and Hell
― Aldous Huxley, The Doors of Perception & Heaven and Hell
- Michael
Berry Patch.
One of my favorite places to visit, this oasis in the middle of the prairie is home to 3 different types of berries, Raspberries, Saskatoon berries & blueberries. This season saw an overabundance of blueberries & I was able to have my fill of these wild little berries every time I made a visit. The location of this honeyhole shall never leave my lips!
James.
Prairie mist.
Caught this image of autumn fog setting in after a humid day. It was a great fall riding season this year, if only it could have lasted a little longer.
James.
Autumn Hay Bales!
I took these pictures in late October, while riding the backroads. The farmer was on the other side of the hay bale on his tractor, probably wondering what I was doing in the middle of his field. One picture was taken with flash, the other without. Which pic do you like better?
James.
Decay!
Of the Ghost Houses we visit, sadly, many are in a state of total disrepair & some have decayed to the point where structurally, they're ready to fall in on themselves & whomever is crazy enough to be inside at the time. That's where we come in. Crazy?... maybe, but just as we desire to investigate the outside of a home, it wouldn't be a complete visit without taking a good look at the interior as well. Most of these badly decayed houses are the ones that are well over 100 years old, original Pioneer homes, abandoned long ago & the elements coupled with time have taken their toll. Having said that, I find a certain fascination in seeing the decaying process as it gives me a chance to see how the home was constructed. Call it reverse construction, the mud/straw mixture falling off the walls offers a glimpse into what technique was used in the construction process. Almost 100% of these original prairie pioneer homes were square log construction & sided with wood slat siding. The inside walls were almost always mud/manure/straw, then painted. Hope you enjoy this pictorial of decayed livingrooms, bedrooms, kitchens & stairways & keep in mind that these dilapidated structures were once someone's home & have their own story to tell.
James.
A summer's worth of Ghost Sheds, Ghost Barns & Ghost Outhouses!
I must admit that for me, the Ghost Houses we find on our rides is what interests me the most but some of the Ghost Sheds & Outbuildings were built with the same care & craftsmanship as the houses were & are therefore worthy of an honorable mention. They share the same history as the homes & usually housed the tools of the trade that enabled the farmer to keep his family fed. Everything from the lowly outhouse to large 2 story barns to simple functional sheds are represented in these pictures.
James.