Pinewa Dam

Jumping back to current times, Lori and I decided it was time for a road trip.  Restrictions have been lowered so we didn't feel like we had to be checking our rear view mirror for the quarantine police.  We decided a drive to Pinewa to take in the old dam would be a nice road trip.  I had always heard it was a unique place to visit and even though Lori had spent 6 1/2 years teaching in Pinewa she had never been out to the dam.  Turns out it is a provincial park which neither of us knew but we had recently purchased an annual pass for the Manitoba Provincial Parks so we were legal and with no one else in the parking lot maintaining a safe distance was not a problem.  

The dam and hydro electric generating station was built in 1905 and at the time was quite controversial.  People figured that everything would freeze up and breakdown during the long winters and didn't know who would need all the power it would generate.  Winnipeg, at the time, certainly wasn't big enough to need all that power. Or so they said.  All ancient history now as the facility was constructed and was in operation for a number of years.  It has been shut down for decades now and it looks like the concrete has crumbled to the point that it could all collapse at any minute.  Thus the large signs warning of the dangers of falling concrete and dangerous undertow.  

We headed east on Hwy 44 towards West Hawk Lake and took the turn north at Benny's Service station.  Don't know when Benny's was last in business but from the picture below I'm sure it has been a long long time.  The dams only about an hours drive and it was great to get out.  

Some of the large turbines and propellers used in the power station.

Lori playing peek a boo.

Most of what remains

Nothing caught in this guys web.  

Step into the transportation tunnel and you enter the Twilight Zone.

Not near as scary as the snakes we have been warned about in Arizona.
Still creepy though.  I hate snakes.

Lots of little falls where the river has made its way through the underbrush. 

Trees are abloom

The force of the river is pretty intimidating 

The moss was such a bright green

Looks like a forest but its only some moss and last years
prairie grasses which are just starting to sprout new growth. 

While the dam looks pretty fragile the railings were nice and secure. 

Inukshuks were sprouting up everywhere. 

Two similar pictures but with different shutter speeds.
Above is more serene and peaceful
Below gives a sense of violence and danger

Field of dandelions can be beautiful.  At least for a few weeks.
Unless of course they are in your lawn.

At last we get to Benny's.  A little worse for wear but with the
help of Luminar and Topaz at least it looks interesting.
Almost inviting.  

We are hoping to take a road trip at least each week although we have said that in previous years.  Hopefully we make it work this year.

Next week we are planning a visit to the Zoo.  I'm going to bring the big glass with me so lots of up close and personal shots of the wild life.

Till then.

A. J. Rodeo Part 3 of 3

The last of the rodeo series and I'll start off with a beautiful shot of the midway with the Superstition Mountains beyond. 

One more shot of the steer rastling.  Wonder how far that neck can twist before... Snap. 
Ground chuck anyone.  

The ladies put on quite a barrel racing show. 

This guy had the best view.  If the action got a little too close just bring the feet together and drop into the barrel.  

Where's the beef?  Ahhhh here it is.  

Just wondering if these guys wear a cup. 

Exit stage right!

His ride was over but couldn't get his hand free so he had no choice but wait for help. 

Finally he is free

Check out the guy in the back.  Looking very cool and relaxed but he has his hand on the top rail and boot on the bottom rail for a reason.  If the action turns his way he is outta there. 

OUCH!  Thats gotta hurt.  Mr Fuchsia to the rescue.  

Well thats it for today folks.  Shows over.  Time to haul ass. 

A. J. Rodeo - Part 2 of 3

More of the wild west.  A little steer wrestling and calf roping.

Timing is critical.  A little off and all your left with is a handful of hair and a mouthful of dirt.  Both of which happened more frequently than the cowboys would like to admit.

The calf just wants to get to his mom at the other end of the corral.

This little fellow actually ran right through the loop of the lasso.

The ladies got to rope the calf and then let the rope go when the loop was around the calfs neck.
The men on the other hand got to jump off their horse and chase the calf, pick it up and throw it to the ground and tie up its legs.  The experts around us kept telling us that it doesn't hurt the animals.  I wonder if anybody asked the calves.

The horse knew what its job was.  Kept that line nice and taught.

Next up is the big beef.

A J Rodeo. Part 1 of 3

Digging into my photo archives and I found a few pictures which I had not yet posted.  Back on Saturday, February 29 some of our Photo Club decided to attend the Apache Junction Rodeo.  I thought it would be a great opportunity to get some action shots and try out my 70-200mm lens.  In about 3 hours I managed to shoot 950 pictures.  Thats what 8 frames a second in burst mode will do.  Don't worry I deleted about 600 of them and have only included a small sample size below.  

Lori and I aren't big Rodeo fans however it was a beautiful afternoon and a great way to spend time with friends.  Lori spent her time cheering for the horses and bulls while I had my camera in front of my face for most of the time.  Just think how novel an idea it is now to sit in a grandstand with a thousand of so people all huddled together.  How things have changed.  

I've separated the pictures into events.  Here is the bareback bronc riding.

A beautiful setting. 

They all managed to coordinate the shirts but one guy didn't get the message.
Its black hat day, dude. 

Purty young fillies.

The nice thing about a burst is you get a real feel for the action.

Leaving so soon

Some very interesting positions.

Another one bites the dust

Yeehah. 

This guy was all over the place

but kept hanging on, until

Oh so close to getting stomped.
All the riders walked away although I'm sure with lots of bumps and bruises. 

Next up a little calf roping and steer 'rastling.