Return of the Famous Five

Yesterday, 14 November 2014, my daughter and I went to the Spruce Meadows Christmas Market. Afterwards, on a short drive SW of the city, we stopped to photograph this row of five old, red granaries that are popular with local photographers. Unfortunately, not a cloud in the sky - clouds make for a more interesting shot. The farm was recently sold, so everyone is hoping that the new owners will leave these granaries standing. The gate was open yesterday and we could see several contractors working on something way out in the middle of the huge field.

"These are prairie granaries. Believe it or not, this is how much grain used to be harvested off of each field. They were always lined up for ease of the truck and auger, usually red as red barn paint was a cheap paint to help them from rotting. Many skunks and fox will live under them . Most don't get any use any more as granaries have gotten much bigger as harvest is better than the 50's." Thanks to Debbie Prediger for this interesting information that she gave me a long time ago. Funnily enough, I saw my first wild Skunk not far from the sheds, a few years ago. I've just compared today's photo with a previous shot of these sheds and the area seems to have been tidied up.

It snowed yet again last night, but the sun is shining today. I have been ridiculously short of sleep the past couple of weeks, but I got a full night's sleep last night, resulting in posting today's photos so late (after 12:30 pm) and my plans for today went out the window. Yesterday was so cold and rather windy - almost too cold to take photos. This morning, it is only -4C (windchill -7C), Looks like the next while should be reasonably mild - no sign so far of the brutal temperatures we tend to get in winter.

For the first time in all these years, I am researching about winter tires/winter wheels. I've always used All-season tires, but now that I am driving a bit further afield and on gravel backroads in winter, I think it's time to get a set of winter wheels. Having been stuck in snow way out of the city almost two years ago, which was a very unpleasant experience, I think winter wheels will give me a bit more confidence to drive out of the city during our seven or so months of snow and ice.