I Heart the Kootneys and Ernesto

Just wrapped up a 3 day shoot in the Kootneys.  Have to say, Rossland and Trail were especially photogenic. I got a bit obsessed, actually.  I'm working on a series of B.C. images, so I've attached a few.  

Now, about Ernesto.  I love Ernesto. His lovely wife, Connie, is pretty great too. They have an amazing edible garden. The dynamic duo took Jose and I into their home and showed us everything they do with their bounty. He's a very modest Portuguese man, so I had to beg him to let me take a picture of him with his gala apple tree. We all chatted for a bit using a lot of hand motions, and arm flailing, as we tried to understand what each other was saying. What I did pick up was that he doesn't mind if a passer-by picks an apple, just don't snap off an entire branch. Oh, and he's not too keen on raccoons and bears and he doesn't like "show offs". Or he doesn't want to be a show off.  Something like that.

Chair lift at Red Mountain - Rossland, B.C.

CocaCola is truly everywhere - Trail, B.C.

My new friend, Ernesto and his gala apple tree - Castlegar, B.C.

Jose and her perogie and cabbage roll dinner at Weezie's Borscht Hut - Castlegar, BC
(wish I had this right now)

Cute Cow and a Time Tunnel

It's been a very busy day here in sunny Castlegar.  Jose and I were up before dawn to shoot a beautiful garden for Canadian Gardening.  The homeowners, Caroline and Darcy, have cattle as well. At first, I thought this cow was very cute until he started to pee with wild abandon.  I thought a hose was left running. Really. This was at 7am, on an empty stomach.  Probably a good thing, when I think about it.

   

Caroline, told us that they never buy any meat as they basically eat their cows. Fair enough. I eat fish, but I no longer eat mammals or birds,  just not my thing these days. So when she was describing how a cow ends up in their freezer, I had a vivid picture of it in my head and still do. One day a cow is wandering around, chewing cud (is that the word), the next day he's in their freezer. It all takes place on their property. I won't share anymore details. Why am I so thrown off by this? How did I imagine hamburgers were created? I've now forgiven the cow for his rather crass behaviour. 

After all of that, we drove to Nelson.  It was like stepping into a time tunnel. It's a beautiful town.  I especially loved the West Arm Bridge, and the retro Dairy Queen. Very "Happy Days". Jose kindly waited for me while I pulled out my old Kodak duaflex and other assorted lens, on the side of the road.  

Now, must go find dinner and, possibly, a dairy queen.

  

West Arm Bridge built 1957

A fabulous Dairy Queen built in the 50's

On the Road

What a day. I started making frames, with my brother David, for several large pieces of artwork for Habit Lounge.  It reopens tomorrow, so time is ticking. After several cuts with the Ryobi mitre saw, it broke. Well done. Day over.  Sorry Nigel (owner of broken mitre saw). 

Now that I feel I've been no help with those frames, as luck would have it, I'm off to Castlegar tomorrow for a shoot with Canadian Gardening. I've included a shot of Highway 3 in B.C.  Love that road.  Will try to blog while away.

Have a lovely Sunday!