Crowsnest Pass

I’m in southern Alberta, visiting a buddy of mine who recently moved out here to take a job as a Church Pastor. I love this part of Canada – it is very rugged, clean and pure. They don’t call this part of the world “Big Sky Country” for nothing. The town where I am staying (Pincher Creek, Alberta – about 2 hours south of Calgary, and about 40 minutes north of the Canada/US Border with Montana) is right on the transition between the Canadian Prairies and the Rocky Mountains. (Click on the photos to make ‘em bigger)

On the road heading west towards the mountains. There was a bit of a snowstorm happening over the mountains – the wispy clouds are actually columns of falling snow.

Mountains and snow, heading towards Cowley

Pincher Creek is one of the windiest places on earth due to prevailing wind currents and the proximity of the mountains. To harness this natural resource, there are hundreds of wind turbines that dot the landscape. In front of the hill with the turbines is a typical mountain train – CP runs a set of helper engines in the middle of their trains in order to handle the steep mountain grades.

They shot Brokeback Mountain all over the area, including scenes here in Cowley, Alberta (just west of Pincher Creek). Ang Lee was from Tainan (the city in Taiwan where I worked and lived) – it seemed interesting that our paths should cross again.

Masonic Lodge

More mountains and snow

The road to Crowsnet Pass

 

Yet another trucker mighty glad to leave the hell that is driving through the Canadian Rockies behind him.

 

More later….