I never wonder why I do this. I’m intrigued by the history of the areas I live in, how people lived in another time, and why they up and leave their homes, abandoning what may have been precious items. I make up stories in my head, some of them inspired by Criminal Minds episodes, and… Continue reading No trespassing: A followup on the Kelowna hippie commune
Category: Ghost Towns
Do you see enough?
I try to take a 360-degree approach when I’m out exploring and taking pictures. I take some shots of what I see, then turn and turn and turn, making sure I don’t miss anything. Some places draw me back for more. Dorothy, the Atlas Mine and Rawley are my Alberta favourites. I’m keeping a mental… Continue reading Do you see enough?
Time travelling to junior high
I’d already been yelled at once. When I heard footsteps behind me, I thought, ‘oh great, here we go again.’ I wasn’t in trouble. The fellow seemed rather pleasant, so I asked, ‘oh dear, am I trespassing?’ Yep, I sure was. I apologized profusely and thought I should leave, but the fellow was in the… Continue reading Time travelling to junior high
The other ghost town named Bodie
Bodie is a popular ghost town in California. It’s a state historic park and it’s known as the most well-perserved ghost town in the state. Bodie, Calif., is on my bucket list. So when someone mentioned recently they’d been for a day drive to Bodie, I got confused. (If you’re a regular reader of our… Continue reading The other ghost town named Bodie
A look back on simpler times in Douglas
It had already been a long day. I was without my co-pilot, heading to Vancouver for a conference and playing catchup with some friends. I was late leaving Vancouver on Wednesday and thought it would be a nice drive through the Cascades, dodging the logjam of Seattle commuters on their way from work. I wasn’t… Continue reading A look back on simpler times in Douglas
Where’s the gold?
What do you plan on doing in Oroville? No U.S. border guard asks this question without an eyebrow raised and a hint of surprise in his voice. Most people who cross the 49th parallel at Osoyoos-Oroville are bound for other places … Spokane, Seattle and beyond. For me and my American, however, it’s our halfway… Continue reading Where’s the gold?
A little town called Molson
I didn’t give the sign a second thought. It said Molson Museum. What would anything related to Molson beer be doing stuck in The Middle of Nowhere, Washington State, United States of America … other than possibly cans tossed out of a British Columbia pickup truck? This Canadian (nationality, not the beer brand) gal didn’t… Continue reading A little town called Molson
More than a feeling
Yes, I drive around the country poking my head into and taking pictures of abandoned houses. They have fascinated me since I was a kid. And I’ll never forget my first one. An old house stood next to Columbus Field where we had track and field training. It was probably my brother Kevin who hid… Continue reading More than a feeling
On deadline
Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow. It’s the mantra of procrastinators around the world. Wait … let’s get one thing straight. When it comes to work and writing, I don’t miss a deadline. I stare that stone-cold bitch in the eyes and I turn her into a whimpering pile of tears.… Continue reading On deadline
A meeting by chance
Phillip is a kindly, somewhat nutty old fella. He ambles out of his little home in Moyie Lake, B.C., his hands jammed into the pockets of his denim overalls. His fluffy white beard conjures thoughts of Santa Claus, while the ink art travelling up his arms gives hints to a rougher life spent on the… Continue reading A meeting by chance