Antique Fire Truck
Last weekend we visited several Doors Open locations. This antique fire truck was at the old Galt fire department.
Unlatched
Unlatched
Some of my favorite subjects. Rusted metal, textured wood, and peeling paint!
It’s an old latch on a double door of an old shed.
Hoggs & Heifers
I shot this in New York City back in 2013. Just one of those things that caught my eye and made me smile.
Tractor Retirement
Tractor Retirement
After a life of pulling and pushing and getting banged about this old tractor has retired to a field of wildflowers
We went on a road trip last week and I found this old tractor west of Buffalo N.Y. on the south shore of Lake Erie
Curious Cabin in the Woods
Curious Cabin in the Woods
My wife and I were driving down a gravel country road enjoying the scenery when out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of something very curious. It looked like a cabin but it had this exaggerated roof line and these funny bubble windows.
I quickly stopped and backed up to get a better look. Sure enough my eyes had not deceived me. I had to take a picture of this. I spent a few minutes shooting from different angles. This seemed to work best. In post processing I added a few textures and different treatments to add to the uniqueness of this curious little cabin in the woods.
Cattle Skull Gate
This shot was taken near the entrance to the Saskatoon Berry Farm in Okotoks, Alberta. It’s one of those iconic symbols of the west. I added some texture to change it up.
Cattle Skull Gate
Doors Open Hamilton – Tip Top
On Sat. May 2 we made a quick stop in Hamilton to visit a couple of the Doors Open sites. This is the on the second floor the the former Tip Top Tailor building at 14 James St North Hamilton. The building is to be renovated soon and this floor has not been open to the public for over 35 years. I always find it interesting to explore old spaces.
http://www.mginternational.ca/doorsopen/site-listings/tiptop-building-sirloin-cellar/ For more info
Tangled Web
Rad Colour
Tip Top View
Black Creek Cattle Co.
Black Creek Cattle Co.
After stopping at the side of Highway 2 between Calgary and Edmonton Alberta to shoot a couple of old cars, (see previous posts) we hopped back into our rental car and turned down a nearby country side road in search of more rusted treasure. About half a mile down the road, at the end of farm lane, we were rewarded with this old Ford truck. Again we circled around it looking for the best angles. I love the earthy colours of the rust and the nostalgic lines of these old vehicles.
Creative Machining
Creative Machining
A couple of days ago I posted Flamed Out – the car and trailer we spotted on the side of Hwy 2 between Calgary and Edmonton Alberta. We had fun shooting from all angles and this is the car on the other side of the trailer. According to a sign posted beside this spot, Creative Machining offered “On Site Portable Machining Services”. I can just imagine this guy pulling into some farm with his trailer and spending a few days tending to the machining needs of the farmer. Creative indeed!
Flamed Out!
Flamed Out
As I mentioned in my last post I have been in Alberta this past week. We flew into Calgary and picked up the rental car and headed up Hwy 2 to Edmonton. Just past Red Deer Rick and I both spotted this car in a field at the side of the road. The proverbial question popped into our heads. Do we turn around? That would make a great picture! Now, this is a four lane Highway so you can’t just turn around on the spot. At the next cut off we just had to go back. Fifteen minutes later we parked as far off the Highway as we could and trudged through the snow to get our shots of this Flamed Out Car!
Honorable Mention – Doors Open Ontario
Each summer my wife and I visit various locations made open to the public by Doors Open Ontario. As stated on their web site, “Every year, Doors Open Ontario attracts large crowds across Ontario. From April to October, residents and visitors are invited to discover first-hand Ontario’s hidden heritage treasures, some of which have never been open to the public.” It is a great opportunity to take pictures of places you may not otherwise get access to.
Every year they have a photo contest you can enter by simply uploading your photos to their Flickr account. This year I am honoured to have received honourable mention in the objects category for two photos I took at the Schnurr General Store in Linwood. The bike and the skates are two of the numerous objects the general store has on display representing it’s rich history in the town of Linwood.
Schnurr General Store bike
Schnurr General Store skates
The Boot & the Bottle
The Boot & the Bottle
The boot sold his soul for the bottle and this is where they ended up.
Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk 2014
Train Tressel
This past Saturday I hosted a Worldwide Photo Walk event in St. Jacobs Ontario.
Check out the link to my flickr page for more photo’s https://www.flickr.com/photos/villagephotography/sets/72157648741703662/
Doors Open Waterloo Region 2014 – Zion United Church
Zion United Church is located at 32 Weber St. W. in Kitchener. It is a beautiful church it contains beautiful stained-glass windows and has retained much of its original interior, including rich woodwork, a large gallery and heavy ceiling beams and brackets.
Zion United Church
Zion United Church
Zion United Church
Zion United Church
Zion United Church
Zion United Church
Open Doors Waterloo Region – Waterloo County Gaol and Governor’s House
The Waterloo County Gaol (jail) and Governor’s House are a real treasure for Waterloo County. Beautiful architecture preserved for everyone to enjoy!
Both of these buildings – the oldest Waterloo County structures in existence – were saved from an uncertain fate by community action. The exteriors are designated and the interiors are excellent examples of adaptive reuse. The stone gaol houses provincial courtrooms. The brick Victorian Governor’s House is used for court offices and public meetings. (from the Doors Open Ontario Waterloo Region Website.)
Waterloo County Governor’s House
Waterloo County Governor’s House Spiral Staircase
Waterloo County Gaol and Governor’s House Courtyard
Waterloo County Gaol and Governor’s House Sun Dial
Waterloo County Gaol
Waterloo County Gaol and Governor’s House
Doors Open Waterloo Region 2014 – Schnurr’s Hall & Groceries
Schnurr General Store
Schnurr General Store in Linwood was the first site we visited on the Doors Open Waterloo Region event last weekend. I has a fascinating collection of memorabilia.
Schnurr’s Hall hosted community events, meetings, musical shows and a circuit court from 1910 to the 1950s. Remarkably, it has been preserved intact as it was over 75 years ago, with original stage, theatrical sets, walls, floor, ceiling and more – a rare heritage interior. Downstairs, Schnurr’s Grocery is Canada’s oldest independent, family-owned and -operated grocery store.
Click on the pictures below to see larger. Note: four of these pictures were taken by my wife Elizabeth.
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- Schnurr General Store bike
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- Schnurr General Store skates
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- Schnurr General Store boxes
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- Schnurr General Store lock
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- Schnurr General Store Fairy Soap
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- Schnurr General Store Suit Case
Violet Hill Gas Pumps
Violet Hill Gas Pumps
Today I am sending you all a Post Card from Violet Hill! Between Shelburne and Alliston Ontario you will find the little hamlet of Violet Hill and these abandoned fuel pumps. I passed by several of these on our travels this summer and each time I thought I should stop and turn around to take a shot but then didn’t. This time I listened to myself and got the shot.
Roxy Theater Owen Sound Props
Roxy Theater Props
The Historic Roxy Theater in Owen Sound is the home of The Owen Sound Little Theater.
Every year from May to October, communities across the province open the doors to hundreds of historical buildings, places of worship, museums, private homes, industrial areas, green buildings, heritage gardens and other interesting venues – some of which are rarely accessible to the public. Many of the participating sites offer special activities, such as tours, exhibitions and demonstrations – all free of charge!
The theater was part of Doors Open Ontario in Owen Sound. Check out the Doors Open web site for more info.
Limehouse Stone Arch
Limehouse Stone Arch
This was taken in Limehouse Ontario at the Limehouse Conservation Area where you can find the ruins of a lime mine and kilns. They were used in the early production of natural cement (gypsum).
There was a lot of debris upstream. Probably as a result of the ice storm last winter. Even though the view was not as clear upstream as I’ve seen in other shots online, it is still an interesting place to visit.
Check this link for more info http://www.limehousekilns.ca/history.htm
Evelyn May – Vancouver Island
Evelyn May – Ucluelet
Today’s post brings us back to my trip to Vancouver Island. The Evelyn May is beached beside a shop in Ucluelet that sells all kinds of interesting stuff. It was a fun place to poke around in.
Morland Place Statues – Doors Open Owen Sound
Morland Place Statues
These statues are cast from concrete on site and are only a few of many different ones to be found at Morland Place – Owen Sound. Morland was part of the Doors Open Tour in Owen Sound this spring. Check their website to see if there is a Doors Open event event near near you.
Vancouver Island – Canso 11007 Bomber Crash Site
I became aware of the crash site of the Canso 11007 bomber on Vancouver Island near Tofino while researching places to photograph on our trip to the Island. It has been sitting here since the day it crash on February 8, 1945. The trail entrance is not well marked and we would not have found it without the help of the locals. The trail is challenging and muddy! If you plan on doing this hike I suggest you wear rubber boots and pay attention to the markers or you could get lost. I knew very little about the history – I just knew I needed to see it. I have since done some research and have written this account of what happened based on that research.
The Last Flight of Canso PBV-1A. RCAF Serial Number 11007
Flying Officer Ronnie Scholes shoved the throttles forward on the Vickers Canso PBV-1A. RCAF serial number 11007. It was 11:00 pm February 8, 1945 as they lumbered down runway 28 of Tofino airport with 12 personnel, its normal emergency gear and a full load of fuel – about 750 Gal. (3,400 L). The aircraft also carried four 250-pound (112.5 kg) depth charges as they were on a routine night patrol, looking for Japanese submarines.
As Scholes watched the end of the runway disappear under them the unexpected happened. The port engine quit cold. Scholes quickly went through his options. Too low to turn and not enough power to gain altitude left him with only one option – land straight ahead. Fighting to maintain control Scholes kept his cool and came up with a plan to minimize the impending impact. As they broke through the trees he managed to slow the plane by pulling it into a full stall. Fearing the worst the crew braced themselves as they slammed into the ground.
Canso 11007 Crash site – Tofino Vancouver Island
Navigator F/O Lace Knechtel was riding in the port blister, facing aft. When they hit the aircraft stood almost upright on its nose. He could see the tail go up and up until he was looking at the stars past the tail; then it crashed back down into the bottom of a heavily wooded hillside only a few miles from the airport. All the lights in the aircraft went out. There was no sound from anyone. He thought they were all dead, until he heard someone start swearing. Knechtel then heard a crackling noise. Looking out forward he saw, through a waterfall of gasoline from the ruptured left wing tank, that the port engine was on fire.
Canso 11007 Crash site – Tofino
Knowing what had to be done he yelled for a fire extinguisher. One of the engineers handed one to him and he climbed up over the wing by kicking a foothold to get started. As he got over the top, the extent of the damage revealed itself. The nose was ripped completely away forward of the pilots’ seats. The seats were just sitting there in the open! The nose was lying off to the right and on its side. The fluorescent instruments were glowing in the dark and he could hear the gyros still humming. Having put out the fire it was time to assess the casualties.
Canso 11007 Crash Site – Engine and wing.
Miraculously everyone had survived! Knechtel and 2 others were uninjured. Flying Officer Ronnie Scholes had a fractured forehead and a broken nose, WD Aircraftwoman 1st Class RJ Pike had a sprained ankle and the others had numerous cuts and bruises, all minor.
Canso 11007 Crash site – Engine
The three uninjured dragged out the parachutes and stumbled about 150 feet (45 m) away to the level ground behind the wreck and then made trips back to the aircraft for sleeping bags and emergency rations. Using one of the parachutes they set up a tent and remained there overnight. After bedding down the more seriously injured they established a watch. They tried the Gibson Girl (emergency radio) without an aerial, as Knechtel wouldn’t allow any of the fellows to climb a tree in the dark. At about 0300 hours they could hear shouting at the airport and then an aircraft cranked up.
Canso 11007 Crash site – Engine
Canso 11007 Crash site – Engine
Back at the Tofino air field they had received word that Canso 11007 failed to arrive at Coal Harbour. Before first light at 0330 hours, Canso 9753 with F/O Weir at the controls took off into the dark night. A few minutes later, Weir spotted a red flare. Relieved to have found them he circled around the hill and F/O Edward “Ted” Darroch dropped a parachute flare to let the survivors know they had been spotted.
Canso 11007 Crash Site. Tofino
On the ground Knechtel had just stopped cussing the rescue pilot for his blindness, when he saw them come around the hill from the other side, circling left and dropping a parachute flare. Relief that they had been found quickly turned into horror, as they feared the flare would land on them or the aircraft covered with spilled gasoline and bombs on board. Fortunately the flare missed everything.
Canso 11007 Crash Site – Interior
Later that morning another search aircraft took off flying in a straight line to the crash site. The Canso circled as a beacon homing a ground party to the downed aircraft. After reaching the wreckage, the injured were packed out while the others walked, all ending up base hospital for treatment or observation.
Aboard Canso 11007 that day were:
Pilot F/O Ronnie J. Scholes
Co-pilot F/O LC Laker
Navigator F/O Lace Knechtel
Crew P/O Clarence Sartorius
Crew WO2 LH Malcomston
Crew WO2 JB Campbell
Crew WO2 CH Henningsen
Crew F/Sgt. RW Hacker
Crew Sgt. RF Bell
Crew Sgt. WA Hooge
Crew AW1 RJ Pike
Crew Mr. DF Marlett
Research was drawn from the following sites: Some of these sites have pictures of the crash site taken by the rescuers.
http://web.archive.org/web/20090525020559/http://www.pinetreeline.org/other/other43/other43ad.html
http://67.69.104.76:84/Pinetreeline/photos/tofino/canso1.html
http://67.69.104.76:84/Pinetreeline/photos/tofino/canso2.html
http://67.69.104.76:84/Pinetreeline/photos/tofino/canso3.html
http://67.69.104.76:84/Pinetreeline/photos/tofino/canso4.html
http://www.ruudleeuw.com/pdf/Septer-PBY11007n.pdf
http://www.mattwhelan.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/whelan-BCHistory45_4-1_reduced.pdf
Doors Open – Owen Sound
Every year from May to October, communities across the province open the doors to hundreds of historical buildings, places of worship, museums, private homes, industrial areas, green buildings, heritage gardens and other interesting venues – some of which are rarely accessible to the public. Many of the participating sites offer special activities, such as tours, exhibitions and demonstrations – all free of charge!
In the past we have enjoyed Doors Open Waterloo Region so this year we plan on exploring what other communities have to offer. Check out their web site for a list of participating communities. http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/
Last weekend we travelled up to Owen Sound Ontario to see what they had to offer for Doors Open – Owen Sound. Our first stop was the old Owen Sound Filtration Plant located in the Inglis Falls Conservation Area. Built between 1910 and 1912 this concrete structure is 160 feet by 160 feet (48 meters by 48 meters). Water from the Sydenham River was diverted into the plant and filtered by gravity through layers of sand and gravel. Click this link http://www.greysauble.on.ca/ca_lands/inglisfalls.html for a more indepth description.
Water Filtration Plant Owen Sound
Cleaning the Filter System:
The process of cleaning the water filters was labour intensive, involving washing the top layer of sand. It took six men two days to clean one filter. Three men would skim the sand, two men would run wheelbarrows to the door where another man loaded the sand into a sand washer. The washer was filled with water and the sand was pumped under 110 pounds of pressure and sprayed out a fire hose which ended in a ¾” nozzle. The clean sand was deposited on a large cement pad outside the filters and then replaced by filling wheelbarrows and dumping the sand through the manholes in the roof of the filters. This process had to be done every two to three months, less frequently in the winter. Near the end of its use, the filters had to be cleaned very two to three weeks because of degrading water quality.
Water Filtration Plant Owen Sound – Showing the manholes where clean sand was dumped back into the plant.
This is the room with the valve controls and where they would add Chlorine as required.
Water Filtration Plant Control room Owen Sound
Bridge Over The River Conestogo
Train Crossing the Conestogo River
The Waterloo Central Railway run this diesel train as well as a steam train between Waterloo and St. Jacobs. They also run up to Elmira for special occasions. This was taken in St. Jacobs crossing the Conestogo River.
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