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Days 115, 116, 117 – Some Downtime in Calgary

15 Feb 2010 | By Wayne

I’ve spent a few days here in Calgary catching up with some friends as I once lived here. For seven years “Cowtown” was home while I played music and experienced a different city.

I’m all set to get on my way tomorrow and am looking forward to my last leg of this awesome trip that has taken me completely across this country we live in. However, my friends back in Vancouver are demanding that I get back to town and experience some of the Olympic energy. Despite how I feel about the politics, commercialism and corporate involvement in the games I also feel like it’s a once in a lifetime experience as well. So as I leave here tomorrow I’m going to be watching the weather carefully and if I feel like I’d rather wait to take some shots I may find I may just keep driving through. It’s not like I’m far from home and smaller road trips to my home province are always fun.

So with that said, I do feel a bit sad that the trip is coming to a close. That however, doesn’t meant that I will stop posting here, as a matter of fact, once I’m home and as time allows the photo section of this become quite extensive as I have more time to edit some of the thousands of shots I’ve taken.

Anyway, I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon. Until tomorrow.
W

The Disappearance

The Disappearance

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Day 113 – Foggy Start, Spectacular Finish!

11 Feb 2010 | By Wayne

So I started the day leaving Vermillion in dense, thick fog. I’d like to say it was more like potato soup. On top of the bright white, zero visibility driving conditions I also had myself a serious headache for some reason. So I drove between South and West most of the morning, not getting anything for shots except for a few of some trees covered in the frost. Around 12:30 pm I crested a hill and the sun was stronger than the fog and I was in the clear the rest of the day. I found a couple abandoned homesteads and got some interesting shots both outside and indoors of these old buildings. Found another calendar hanging on a wall in one of them, this time it was from 1982. The other house I had to share my time with the resident pigeons, who strangely calmed down a lot as I talked to them.

As I made my way I spotted another house up on a hill, far from the road. I turned around looking for a possible driveway but didn’t see anything. Then I went down the nearest Range road to see if perhaps the entrance to the property was around the back. As I turned down the side road I saw seven deer springing across the road. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a clearing. In the clearing hanging out in the clean white snow was four moose. Now I’m not a moose expert but it looked like a double date to me.

I hopped the fence and slowly walked towards them. Obviously I wasn’t about to approach them but I had a whole field between me and them. I walked along the fence line and made my way to get a slightly better shot. They slowly walked away from me across the field but I managed to get close enough to get some decent shots. Between shooting I just watched in awe at these beautifully huge beasts. I’ve crossed this country and haven’t seen a moose until today and the wait was well worth it.

Moose!

Moose!

Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010, Highlights  Tags: , , , , , , , , ,  One Comment

Day 111 – Photographic Gold

09 Feb 2010 | By Wayne

I think last night was the hardest night in the truck. Just a little colder than I would have liked but you know what they say about things that don’t kill us. I got going, zigging and zaggin across the mid section of Saskatchewan. The more shots I’ve been getting of snow covered cars and trucks, abandoned homes and open fields the more picky I’m getting. Mainly because I’m getting to know the difference between the good and the “golden”. Obviously I just love to shoot so some of my shooting depends on light, distance, what’s in the background and lately, just a little, how much snow I have to trudge through.

On that note I did a lot of driving today. It was a coin toss day as I didn’t know which way to go half the time so I let the universe guide me and boy did she come through. Even though there was some distance between them, the shooting possibilities were awesome today. Including two yards full of old cars and trucks. One with pristine snow drifts to add some angles.

I have to apologize for the lac of new additions to the photos. I’m simply just having too much fun shooting. Financially I have to slow down a little so there may be a day in a library in my near future so I’ll get some edits done and some shots up then.

Ending today in Meadow Lake Saskatchewan, may slip into Alberta tomorrow and work my way across and down. I have a bunch of people in Calgary I’m going to try to touch base with so may be there a few days. I nice break before my last leg home.

Eldon Schoolhouse

Eldon Schoolhouse

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Day 107 – Driving on the Red River

06 Feb 2010 | By Wayne

I started out in Selkirk Manitoba this morning with a couple of recommendations on stops I may like for photos. First stop was Lower Fort Garry. A historic settlement are just North of Winnipeg. I was surprised that it was open and ladies at the front reception in the interpretive center were very friendly. I wandered around for a bit finding a few shots but the buildings were closed and the doors boarded up for the season so I moved on.

A little ways down the road I came into Lockport where the spillways for the Red River are located. From the bridge I could see many ice fishing huts on the frozen river. As I looked for a place to pull over to take a few shots I noticed that there was vehicles parked by the huts and driving the fishermen to and from. I also noticed I was sitting at the top of one of the entrances to the river.

After a little apprehension I decided I wanted to drive on the mini ice road myself and break my fear of frozen water. See, I’ve had many chances to go out on a frozen lake or river while on this trip. My problem is that I have a bit of a phobia about falling through so never went out more than about 20 steps onto the ice. Not that I get scared but just a little freaked out. Being from BC it seldom gets cold enough for any outdoor ice related activities so I guess I just haven’t been exposed to it enough to be comfortable.
Anyway, I drove the truck down and went for a drive on the ice. Stopped and had a brief chat with a fellow who was fishing and continued on. No big deal really but liberating for me all the same. Of course it wouldn’t be a complete experience without making an ass out of myself too. I drove down river to what I thought would be my exit but upon arrival it looked a little steep so I decided to go out the way I came in. As I drove back I took a little detour as to not disturb the guy I was chatting to minutes ago. Well my detour had way more loose deep snow on it and a few truck lengths in I got myself stuck. After switching to low four wheel drive, rocking back and forth a bit I soon backed out of my embarrassing detour. To make light of my “tourist move” I rolled down the window and yelled to my new friend “it was deeper than I thought”, to which he replied “Yeah, they don’t go EVERYWHERE”. We both chuckled and I drove off the river ice and on my way.

I’m here in Winnipeg at my friend Madeleine’s for the night after a hot shower and enjoying some great company. I get to sleep in a bed tonight then it’s back on the road tomorrow. Until then, goodnight all.

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Day 105 – Glorious Junk!

03 Feb 2010 | By Wayne

I started out from Thunder Bay Ontario heading West on 11 with full plans to stop and see the Kakabeka Falls. Well I did see the falls except they weren’t flowing. They were frozen solid. Of course I got a few shots and had a good look around before moving on. It was a gloriously beautiful day (although -16 Celsius) so I was taking my time.

Just down the road I encountered a large wrecking yard filled with semi trucks and commercial vehicles. There was two big signs on the gate “Beware of Dog” but I looked and didn’t seen any evidence of life in the pristine snow. I took a chance, hopped the fence and wandered the yard for close to 3 hours, filling all my 3 memory cards and depleting one camera battery completely. The challenge, every step was in snow up to my knees, sometimes higher. By the time I got back to the truck my legs were cold and my ass was wet.

As I did yesterday after the session with the old Packard (a lot of snow there too) I found a roadside spot to drop my trousers and change into dry ones. I can just imagine some hinterland animal watching from their hole in the snow, smirking and laughing at the sight of my white ass hopping on my shoes beside my truck, trying to change before any traffic comes. Life on the road is fun sometimes.

After that stop I stopped for a little dilapidated house then moved on. As I got closer to Dryden the snow came, then it got thick. By the time I arrived here it was a whiteout and I’m here for the night. Starting off at the library, transferring some shots and updating. Should be into Manitoba tomorrow.

Kakabeka Falls - Frozen in Time

Kakabeka Falls - Frozen in Time

Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010, Highlights  Tags: , , , , , , , , ,  2 Comments

Day 100 – Weather Network Interview, then a Crash!

29 Jan 2010 | By Wayne

No I didn’t crash my truck.

I drove to Oakville and met with David and Suzanne at the Weather Network this afternoon after leaving my friend’s place in downtown Toronto. They showed me around and despite David’s busy day were very gracious hosts. Suzanne made it very easy and comfortable to share with her on camera some details about my trip. It was a fun afternoon and from what I hear the full interview has aired a few times today as my friends back home have seen it. I’m hoping to perhaps get a link to the segment that I can post here. I’ll keep you posted.

I arrived in Barrie Ontario and saw a Starbucks. With hopes of doing some more editing and posting some more shots I set up my laptop and plugged in my external hard drive. All of a sudden it fell off the wide window ledge and hit the floor. It was only about a 12 inch drop but it was enough to trash the read/write heads in the drive. I did some reading online and based on the clicking sounds in the drive this seems to be the problem. I’m hoping that I can get the images recovered. Yes, I’m a little stressed but keeping faith. I also have to figure out where to store the new shots I’ll take on the way home and the recovered shots once I take the drive in.

One step at a time I guess.

So it was a fun and fruitful day with a bitter end but life goes on.

Thanks to Everyone at the Weather Network for their time and hospitality. Cheers

Stairway to...

Stairway to...

Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010, Highlights, Trials and Tribulations  Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,  Leave a Comment

Day 97 – Wandering Aimlessly

26 Jan 2010 | By Wayne

I woke to snow, blowing in sideways in Port Hope. I didn’t want to deal with snow today. I drove down and into Hamilton as I was originally going to meet a friend here. I had time to kill before she was around so I wandered looking for shots as the sun was desperately trying to bust through the scattered cloud covering the area. I beat the snow though, leaving it behind in Port Hope… for awhile.

I wander aimlessly, killing time and not finding much to shoot. I did however find a library where I spent a little time doing a few edits, then they kicked me out as it was closing time. By this time I had heard that my friend is sick and suggested a different day if my schedule allowed. Fine with me as the last thing I need is to be sick on this trip. So I wandered some more. Then I saw a “Fifth Wheel” truck stop and decided to see what they’re room rates are as I was in desperate need of a shower. The rooms were too much for my budget but I was pleasantly surprised to find that they had “showers”. For $8.40 I was given two clean towels, a clean facecloth and a key to my own private bathroom. Sink, Toilet, Shower and electrical outlet for your shaver, Heaven!

Trust me, we all take certain thing for granted until we don’t have them. A hot shower has never felt so good as it today. Plus, the way I look at it, I saved over $60 as I got what I needed without forking over for a room. I can get workspace and internet at the library of for the price of a Starbucks (here now) and I can sleep where I usually do, cozy in my truck.

So after my shower I wandered some more, then found this Starbucks where I’ve been editing some more photos. I could wait until I got home but I find that seeing shots I’ve taken inspires me to go get more. Tomorrow is another day and since the snow has now caught up with me here in Stoney Creek, Ontario I’m sure it will be an interesting one.

Forgotten IceCream

Forgotten IceCream

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Day 95 – Who? You That’s Who.

24 Jan 2010 | By Wayne

I woke up a little late, got a late start after finding the Cornwall Walmart and gather a few supplies. Cereal bars, cheap juice, etc. Stuff that I won’t spend ridiculous amounts in gas stations and that can also double as “breakfast”.

After that I found myself in a great mood. Very positive and feeling like no matter what happens this whole trip, the money concerns and life in general is going to work out wonderfully. I spent some time last night reading and learning about gear, techniques and looking at photos like the ones I hope to make money taking when I get home. That said, I’ll be available for portraits and creative photo projects once I’m home and ready to go. The positive side of needing certain gear is that I found out it really isn’t as expensive as I thought it was.

I drove the back roads most of the day today, finding some old farms, barns and the odd cool “tree” with a good layer of snow as a background all around. I found myself throwing caution to the wind and at many crossroads flipping a coin for the next direction. It was this that lead me to meeting my newest friend. I had just made a coin-flip turn and out of the corner of my eye saw something large and winged landing itself on the top of a fence post. Now I’m not a big brain when it comes to birds so I’m just gonna say it was a big beautiful light colored owl. Sitting there, hanging out.

I spun the truck around, pulled up on the opposite side of the road and quickly got my gear ready and slowly made my way across the road, taking shots every step. I got quite a few of him, sitting there, looking at the ground, looking at me. He seemed pretty casual, not threatened by me. We had a few moments then a car pulled up, slowed down, and proceeded to back up. Two guys get out, one armed with his point and shoot camera and proceeded to get closer and closer. As one decided he had to talk to me as his buddy approached the owl I was off my game. When my owl friend decided four is a crowd and flew away I missed capturing his departure as I hoped I would. None the less we shared a minute or two and that made my day.

So here I am in Kingston Ontario, home of the Tragically Hip. Sitting in the Second Cup having a coffee and using the wireless and more importantly enjoying the seat. Doing some edits to upload to this site and will hopefully have a shot of said owl friend up in a little bit.

My New Friend

My New Friend

Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010, Highlights  Tags: , , , , , , , ,  Leave a Comment
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