Yesterday, 18 September 2023, the weather forecast was pretty good, though the mention of wind did concern me a little. However, as time is running out for making long drives, I decided to take the risk. Shortly after leaving home and just out of the city limits, I could see smoke haze hiding the distant hills. I was so tempted to turn around and return home, but instead chose to continue.
Most of my driving was on the main roads, in order to get to my destination as quickljy as possible. The total drive of 473 km took me eight and a half hours, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm. Much as I would have loved to check out a few back roads, I knew I absolutely had to get home before the light started fading. The wind was strong and stirred up all the dust from the roads and fields and made it a real challenge to take photos. All my images were taken from inside my car and, even then, the rocking motion made things more difficult.
The small ghost town, that I was so keen to revisit yet again, had to be seen from my car, because it was too windy to walk, which was a shame. Fortunately, I have photos taken from a couple of previous visits. If I remember correctly, this was my third visit - the others were in July 2020 and August 2022.
Once I reached the ghost town, I was the only person there. It is only a small place with a handful of old buildings, but very nicely kept. One of its main buildings is a small, country United Church, kept in great condition both inside and out. I had read online beforehand that people can go inside the church and sign their Guest Book, otherwise I probably would not have gone in. Really like the door knobs to the front door. The link below gives a very interesting, detailed history, including an old photo of the church in 1980, before restoration. I would love to have seen it back then.
www.facebook.com/LethbridgeHistoricalSociety/posts/retlaw...
As well as the old ghost town, I also wanted to check on a favourite abandoned house - simple, old and leaning. It was a relief to find that it was still standing.
From there, I took more or less the same route home, Too late in the season for wildflowers. Very few birds to be seen, too, though I did see four hawks that were too far to photograph. Fortunately, I still had a little gas left in the gas tank. Always a concern when I do a long drive.
Despite the strong wind and the smoke haze, it was a good day. SInce then, we have had a tiny bit of rain, and I noticed that the golden leaves are already falling.
