A writer's life: August 2023

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Rossland, Grand Forks, Greenwood, and back home to Penticton BC)

August 23rd: Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America. A total of 24,632 kilometers since May 1st. We're back (temporarily).

We're headed to visit friends in Surrey for a few days before finally returning to our condo on September 1st.

Cheers Lynda and The Sparkinator.

Christina Lake BC

Grand Forks BC

Grand Forks BC OK Tires mural

Town of Greenwood BC

Greenwood BC

South Okanagan

Entering Osoyoos BC

Kyla - joined us as co-pilot for 6482 KMS

Lynda and Sparky 24,642 kms since May 1st

THE END!

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Fernie, Cranbrook, Yahk, and Rossland BC)

August 22nd: Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America, Fernie to the interesting town of Cranbrook and on to Rossland BC.

Just one more night and we'll be home in Penticton BC.

Cheers Lynda and The Sparkinator

Brick House Restaurant Fernie BC

Fernie BC

Cranbrook BC

The Railcar Collection - Cranbrook Historic Centre

The largest exhibition at the Cranbrook History Centre is a collection of 20 railway cars of which 17 are currently available to the public. Highlights of the collection include the 7 cars of the 1929 “Trans-Canada Limited” (a classic “Jazz Era Art Deco” design), 2 cars of the 1907 “Soo-Spokane Train” (a deluxe example of “Edwardian Art Nouveau Elegance”), and the 1927 executive night car “Strathcona” which has housed many VIP guests during its time in service, including Queen Elizabeth II, John & Jackie Kennedy and Sir Winston Churchill.

These remarkable rail travel cars, comprise one of the largest collections in North America, and are in a continued state of restoration. Because of the fragile nature of this irreplaceable collection, our immediate priority is to provide a permanent covered roof to ensure these ‘deluxe hotels on wheels’ are preserved for future visitors and historians alike.

Part of the Railway Museum in Cranbrook

Cranbrook entrance

Entrance to Historic Centre

Detail of inside of railway car

The Hamlet of Yahk BC

Yahk BC

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Medicine Hat and Vulcan, to Fernie BC)

August 21st: Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America from Medicine Hat, via Vulcan Alberta, to Fernie British Columbia.

Wikipedia:

Vulcan was named by a surveyor for the Canadian Pacific Railway after the Roman God of Fire – Vulcan. Originally, all the streets of Vulcan were named after gods and goddesses of the classical world such as Juno, Mars, and Jupiter. Now known a s the "Official Star Trek Capital of Canada", Vulcan has a tourism building made to look like a landed space station, a statue of the original series Enterprise, and other Star Trek themed attractions.

The town's name has brought some attention that has helped it become a tourist attraction. In the Star Trek television and feature film series it is the name of the homeworld of Mr. Spock and his fellow Vulcans. Capitalizing on this coincidence, the town has built a Star Trek–themed tourist station (the Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station), which provides tourist information, displays an extensive donated collection of Star Trek memorabilia. The Trek Station also offers unique photo opportunities and interactions with iconic Star Trek characters in their ever-evolving Cosplay Costume Collection.

Nearby, a replica of the starship Enterprise from Star Trek V has been mounted on a pedestal which includes writing from Star Trek alien languages such as Klingon. In 2010 Leonard Nimoy visited the town and was honoured at the town centre with a bust and handprint. A transporter, Doctors Mural and other Star Trek attractions can be enjoyed throughout the town. The Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station has hosted an annual Star Trek Convention (held the last weekend in July) "VulCON" since 1993 where celebrity guests are beamed in to spend the weekend with attendees. It is a unique convention in that celebrity guests & Trekkies get to know each other during the Meet & Greet, Q&As and a banquet and dance. This convention attracts hundreds of Star Trek fans from around the world.

Cheers Lynda

Spaceship at Vulcan Alberta

Trekkie Kyla

Vulcan Alberta

Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station Alberta

Leonard Nimoy

Leonard Nimoy's hand print

Vulcan Alberta

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Moose Jaw Saskatchewan to Medicine Hat Alberta)

August 20th: Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America. Moose Jaw Saskatchewan to Medicine Hat Alberta.

Downtown Moose Jaw is very interesting with a tourist attraction of the tunnels.

Cheers Lynda and The Fuzz-butt

Wikipedia: The Moose Jaw tunnels became a hub of activity in the 1920s for rum-running during Prohibition in the United States. They were reported to have warehoused illegal alcohol that was shipped to the U.S. via the Soo Line Railroad. The tunnels were also used for gambling and prostitution, all without interference from the corrupt police. There has long been anecdotal evidence that American mobster Al Capone visited Moose Jaw or had interests in the bootlegging operations. No written or photographic proof exists of Capone's presence, but several firsthand accounts from Moose Jaw residents who claim to have met him have been documented. Capone's grandniece also confirmed he had been in Moose Jaw before his 1931 conviction for tax evasion.

Max the Moose at Moose Jaw SK

Moose Jaw Saskatchewan

Playing on the presence of Capone in the 1920's

Moose Jaw Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan

Maple Creek

Friday, August 25, 2023

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Brandon Manitoba to Souris, Regina, and Moose Jaw Saskatchewan)

August 19th: Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America, Brandon Manitoba, and Souris, to Moose Jaw Saskatchewan.

It was an uneventful day of driving, and exploring a couple of the smaller towns. Mostly our thoughts were on our friends and family currently under evacuation orders in the wildfires of BC. A long period of drought, then dry lightning, and high winds created the perfect conditions for a firestorm.

Cheers Lynda and The Sparkinator