Category Archives: Alberta

Markerville Lutheran Church, Alberta

Karl on Oct 12, 2020 with Comments Off

It’s not easy to find the small Alberta town of Markerville on a map, but you’d be charmed by it as I was when I visited. The most memorable building in Markerville is this simple but pleasing church.
Markerville was established by Icelandic immigrants who arrived in Alberta via the United States in the late 19th century, and grew to a thriving (if small) community. After hiring a full-time minister in 1905, the residents decided they needed a church. Local farmers brought their tools and began the work of building their house of worship in 1906. Most Icelandic people at the time were Lutheran, so it makes sense they would build a Lutheran church.
The foundation was made of sandstone quarried in …

Tagged Icelandic, Lutheran Church, Markerville

“Pic of the Week”, October 9, 2020: Bow Falls, Banff

Bow Falls is a wide but relatively short waterfall (<9 meters) which, because of it’s location, is often visited. When the Bow River is filled with spring thaw it really roars, but in the drier summer months its flow is significantly reduced and the falls are less impressive.
Bow Falls is located less than a kilometer south of the Banff townsite, near the Banff Springs Hotel. You can access the falls from a parking lot immediately downriver from them or from Banff by following a trail adjoining the Bow River (there are trails on either side, but the best views are from the west side). If you continue further downriver, past Bow Falls, you’ll quickly hit the junction of the Spray River …

Karl on Oct 8, 2020 | Comments Off

.All Trips / Alberta / Car Culture / Central Canada / North America

Great Cars Along the Highway: 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, Calgary

Karl on Oct 7, 2020 with Comments Off

I think Chevy Corvettes — especially those made in the 1950s and early 1960s — are among the most attractive cars ever made in America.
The Corvette was first built in 1953 — this model was made in 1960, one of just over 10,000 made that year. The car has a front placed engine (generally a 283 cu in (4.64 L) V8), rear wheel drive, and is a two-door, two passenger vehicle.
The Corvette was one of the first cars to use fiberglass for the outer body, a tradition that continues to this day.
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to advance slideshow)

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Tagged Chevy Corvette

“Pic of the Week”, September 4, 2020: Reflections of the Alpenglow, Lake Louise

Plain of Five Glaciers Hike with Evan and Sami (110)

Sometimes you’re lucky enough to be at the right place at just the right time.
We’d been hiking in Lake Louise, doing its famous Plain of Six Glaciers hike. The weather had been pretty nice — some threatening clouds but mostly a pleasant day. We enjoyed a tasty dinner at the Chateau Lake Louise and as we getting ready to leave stopped for one final look at that iconic scene of Lake Louise framed by Mount Victoria and its glaciers.
We were looking west, and Mount Victoria faces east, so it was in shadow. The clouds above the mountain were catching the pretty light of the distant sun as it hit the Pacific horizon, the so-called “Alpenglow”.
The lake was so …

Karl on Sep 3, 2020 | Comments Off

.All Trips / Alberta / Car Culture / North America

Great Cars Along the Highway: 1952 Oldsmobile Super 88

Karl on Aug 31, 2020 with Comments Off

One of my favorite vehicles is the Oldsmobile 88, a car which was also very popular with American consumers. The line was introduced in 1949 and the Oldsmobile 88 was produced until 1999. It was the top-selling line of cars for a remarkable twenty-four years.
In 1952, Oldsmobile’s most popular car was the Super 88, with 118,558 units sold. The Super 88 had been introduced the prior year as a more upscale version of the basic 88. Super 88s were offered in five different body styles, but what made them so popular was a well-earned reputation for being a top performing car. The Super 88 was powered by a Rocket Power V8 engine, shared with Oldsmobile’s Super 98 line.
A beauty –the …

Tagged 1952, Oldsmobile, Super 88

“Pic of the Week”, August 7, 2020: Vermillion Lakes, Banff National Park

Banff area, summer 2014 (106) Vermillion Lakes

One of the iconic images of the Canadian Rockies is that of the Vermillion Lakes, with the distinctive mass of Mt. Rundle rising in the distance, and Sulphur Mountain to the right.
Vermillion Lakes are three interlinked lakes which lie just outside the Banff townsite. The lakes are partially fed by warm water from the Sulphur mountain hot springs, which provides a somewhat sheltered micro-environment for animals in the cold winter months, so you’ll often spot wildlife in the area.
The lakes are popular with hikers, and canoes and kayaks can often be seen on the calm waters. It’s a nice place to enjoy sunrise or sunset, or just to take in the lovely views.
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to …

Karl on Aug 6, 2020 | Comments Off

.All Trips / Alberta / Car Culture / Central Canada / North America

Great Cars Along the Highway: 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline, Calgary

Karl on Aug 5, 2020 with Comments Off

The Chevrolet Fleetline was produced from 1941 to 1952. It was available in both four-door and two-door “Aerosedan” models.
The Fleetline was popular and comprised over 70% of Chevrolet’s sales during its production, although there was a pause in their manufacturing during WWII years. In 1945, production normalized.
Fleetlines are popular and collectable and are often converted into street hot-rods, using the Chevrolet 350 small block V8. This was a particularly nicely preserved specimen I spotted in Calgary.
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to advance slideshow)

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Tagged 1948, Calgary, Chevrolet Fleetline

“Pic of the Week”, July 24, 2020: Lake Agnes, Banff National Park

One of the most popular day hikes in the Lake Louise area of Banff National Park is to visit Lake Agnes. A 3.5 km trail through the forest on the north side of the lake gains 400 m (1300 ft) from Lake Louise’s shore to reach the hanging valley containing Lake Agnes.
Lake Agnes is beautifully framed by rugged snow and ice covered mountains. It sits at 2135 m (7005 ft). Lake Agnes was named after Canada’s First Lady, Agnes MacDonald, wife of Canada’s first Prime Minister.
One of the highlights of visiting Lake Agnes is to enjoy a snack or meal at its tea-house. Established in 1905, the Lake Agnes tea-house serves a large assortment of tea but also home made …

Karl on Jul 23, 2020 | Comments Off