Category: Weather

Snowshoes on Horses

2/5/2019

Woodcut from Historia Delle Genti, by Olaus Magnus, 1565 edition. Library of Congress

I'm over at Heroes, Heroines and History talking about horses wearing snowshoes, and if you think the woodcut above is just a novelty, come over and see the rest of the photos I found to show it was more common than you might think.

I also found several newspaper clippings that mention horses wearing snowshoes and although I've only included the links on the HHH blog, here's one for you to read in case you can't get to the links.

Idaho County free press. (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) January 02, 1902

If you enjoy this post, please let me know as it inspires me to search out more historical treasures.

At the Inkwell: January's Treasure

1/17/2018

Today at the Inkwell I'm posting about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and how changes in my life seem to have resolved its affect on me.

If you have a few minutes, come check my post and pics at January's Treasure.

Typical light therapy unit used for Seasonal Affective disorder. Source: wikipedia

Trains on Ice on HHH Today

1/5/2015

Alaska Railroad engine crossing the Tanana River on the ice at Nenana, 1923. Courtesy of Wikicommons.

I'm blogging at Heroes, Heroines and History today with a post about Trains on Ice.

Believe it or not, the 60+ ton trains crossed frozen rivers and lakes when there was a need, despite the dangerous risk of sinking. I've only found one that went through the ice, but would love to hear of others.

Early 1900 Summer Fun Pictures

8/5/2014

If you're interested in photos of Early 1900 Summer Fun, you may want to zip over and check a blogpost I have up on the CFHS blog today.

This is just one of many photos I've posted for your enjoyment:

1910, Buffalo Lake near Stettler, Alberta. Courtesy of the UofA's Peel Library of Prairie Postcards

Today's question is: What's your favorite summer fun activity?

Historic Winter Sports: Ice Sailing

1/20/2014

I'm blogging at the Inkwell again with another post on my Historic Winter Sports series, this time on the fun and adventure of ice sailing.

The images I've used were found in different library systems and archives fonds and I can't say enough about the people who work to bring these sources to the public. Today's images are courtesy of the:

As well, I've included a video over on my Inkwell Inspirations Ice Sailing post which gives the feel of skimming across the ice in a modern ice boat made for racing.

Here's one photo you won't find over there...it's a stereoview from 1900 and if you go to the page I found it, you can read a description put out by the Keystone View Company.

1900 Canadian Winter Sports, Ice Yachting, Ontario, Canada. Courtesy of Maritime History of the Great Lakes.

Snow Caboose Then and Now

1/14/2014

I'm blogging over at Inkwell Inspirations today about Historic Snow Cabooses. Well, it was just the historic ones, and then I remembered about a modern one, so it's a Then and Now post.

I'd like to thank the folks over at the Lanigan and District Heritage Assoc Virtual Museum for allowing me to use their images in my post.

Thanks also going out to the Glenbow Museum and Archives for their wonderful online resource site.

And finally, thank you to Balzer's for putting their SnoBear near Hwy 1E heading into Regina or I would never have known these fascinating modern people movers for winter use existed. I have been enlightened.

Here's a taste of what awaits you over at the Inkwell...

Then...

ca. 1928 by A.T. Stocki, Caboose on sleigh, Tarnopol, Saskatchewan. Glenbow Archives

and Now...

SnoBear taken Jan 2013, Hwy 1E, Regina, SK, by Anita Mae Draper

Many more images and a SnoBear video over at the Inkwell. Hope to see you there.

The Union Jack Flies On a Dry Run

6/19/2012

As part of my research trip for my Mountie series, I am following the 1885 Trails. Last year, when I made this same trip following a writer's retreat near Humboldt, SK, I went looking for the site of the Humboldt Telegraph Station since it's on the Carlton Trail. Both play significant parts in my story. When I visited last year, all I had was a spot on the map approx 5 km west and south of Humboldt, and some references in a couple history books. I didn't know what to expect.

My hope rose as I found the site resplendent in flags and signs. It didn't matter that it was a secondary rural road on the open prairie. What mattered was that the spot was marked. I was standing on the Carlton Trail at the site of the original Humboldt settlement.

Original Humboldt Site, May 2011

As I surveyed the fields suffering an overload of spring rain, I spotted further evidence that someone was doing something there.

Humboldt Telegraph Station Archaeological Dig, May 2011

My suspicions were confirmed when I saw the signs.

Sign establishing Saskatchewan Heritage Property at the original Humboldt Telegraph Station site, May 2011

2011 Commemoration Announcement

Unfortunately, Humboldt is a 4 hour drive from my home, over mostly gravel roads, and although I was trying to cajole hubby into letting me take the family van for another day trip, the weather didn't cooperate. The commemoration went ahead while I stewed about the mucky Saskatchewan roads.

Skip forward to yesterday. I hadn't heard any promotion for the site, so was anxious to see what, if anything, had changed. See for yourself...

Original Humboldt, SK site, June 2012

Each storyboard is a different aspect of the original site, such as the telegraph station, the family who ran the station, the Carlton Trail, etc. Very informative. I won't put individual storyboards here, but I'm creating a page under my research section for this topic.

Back to yesterday, the archaeological dig was getting some action. On the other side of the 3rd storyboard from the left, two men were standing amongst a bunch of white markers. Curious what they were doing at the dig, I zoomed in on them.

Dennis Korte and Garry Jenkins raise the Union Jack at the original Humboldt, SK site, June 18, 2012

My eyes pricked when I saw them raise the Union Jack - a sight I hadn't witnessed since early grade school when the principal walked into our classroom to replace the familiar flag with a red and white one sporting a maple leaf.

Dennis Korte and Garry Jenkins pay tribute to the Union Jack on the site of the original Humboldt, SK, Telegraph Station, June 18, 2012

The Union Jack wasn't up very long before the men lowered and rolled it over a tube. With my photos taken, I drove over to where they were parked and waited for them. Something was in the works, and I needed to know what.

It was a dry run for the ceremony this Saturday, June 23rd which will include:
- members of the Governor General's Horse Guard (tall bear hats, I believe)
- the NorthWest Mounted Police in full uniform
- dignitaries, etc

And I'm going to miss it! I'll arrive home from my research trip on Wed or Thurs and I doubt I'll make it back for Sat. I wish I could be there - for the photo and video opportunity. But most of all, because I want to experience the pageantry as we pay tribute to an earlier time in Saskatchewan's history which benefitted the newly formed Canada.

I'm a Guest Blogger Today

11/28/2011

Today I'm guest blogging on Rose McCauley's blog. The decision on what to write about on someone else's blog took a lot of thinking, but in the end our prairie weather and the time I got punked by a porcupine in a blizzard stood out as something I felt would hold reader's interest.

My questions for discussion over on Rose's blog are:
Have you ever seen a sundog? Felt the cold bite of a -40C/F wind? Tasted a snowflake before it touched the ground?

Join us if you have a minute or two. All comments left before next Monday are eligible for my giveaway of a new copy of Lynette Eason's Love Inspired Suspense, Threat of Exposure.

And don't laugh too hard at the video. <grin>

Then...

and Now...

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