Hat to GPK

Gooood Morning Marston!!!!

 

Towns were placed every 20 miles apart by the railway when the west was being opened.. That was so the farmers could haul their grain to the elevators in a reasonable time and distance.  Well look what the elevators have become today. Gone are the wooden framed, barn shaped buildings your grandparents took for granted. 

Gone too are the little 20 mile towns. Some have a few houses and perhaps a gas service station facing the highway for tourists. Most are either ghost towns or on the verge of becoming one.   I couldn't figure out if this one in Walsh was a restaurant, a tow truck center or a square bill board. What did the " Open 24 hours " mean?  Maybe that's how long they were in business?  

Its been a long time since the last customer ever called here. It took time and a lot of hope in the future to paint all those animal silhouettes. You've got to wonder what ever became of those who dreamed such dreams after they crashed. Now there is nothing moving but the occasional antelope herd or the wind blowing tumble weed against the art work.

 

Well on to The Alberta / Saskatchewan border some where over the horizon. WHen I get to Fort Walsh in the Cypress hills, I'm going to abandon the number one highway.

like all the other people who have left their towns behind.  The real country is off the hour beaten track where every body drives 130 kms per hour on their way somewhere else. I'm going to plot another route thats still alive and vibriant along the back roads and east to Greenfield Park .

 180 kms total (TL) and 3320 O.S

 Tally ho

 Doug G

Thanks Doug