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MS Norgoma

Construction of SS Norgoma was completed at the Collingwood Shipyards in 1950. She would join a fleet of ships that provided packet and passenger service around what was known at the time as the Turkey Trail. This trail started at Owen Sound and wound its way through communities like Killarney, Manitowaning, Little Current, Kagawong, Gore Bay, Meldrum Bay, RIchard's Landing, Thessalon, and finally arriving at Sault Ste. Marie in a 5-day voyage.

USS Midway

The USS Midway, an iconic aircraft carrier, has a rich history that spans nearly five decades. Commissioned on September 10, 1945, just days after the end of World War II, the Midway was the largest ship in the world at the time. It was named after the Battle of Midway, a pivotal naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The Midway was the first of a new class of carriers that were designed to handle the larger and heavier aircraft that were being developed during the war. Throughout its service, the Midway played a crucial role in various military operations and was a symbol of American naval power.

Abandoned Metra Cars

Blindly following the directions of my GPS, I found myself at a strange little intersection with a gas station. The GPS indicating that I should go straight onto a dirt road and so I complied. I could tell from the mounded earth on the sides of the road that it was periodically maintained by graders. I suspect some time had passed since the last grader, as my organs vibrated in time with the washboard ridges punching a staccato beat against the tires.

Salton Sea

I arrived in my nice, clean, white, rented Equinox. The windows were up, and the cool air was coming from the air conditioner. The sun was shining, and I was loving being away from the cold and snow of Canada. When I arrived, first at Salton City, I drove close to the beach and stopped. I looked out over the shimmering water, turned off the engine and got out... THE STENCH! Nothing had prepared me for the smell. Like seaweed and rotting fish, yet somehow much, much worse. I looked around, noticed that some of the houses were actually occupied and thought, "how do they live with the stench?".

Greenwater Provincial Park

As one who frequents Provincial Parks for camping, when I heard that there were a few that had been closed, permanently, I knew I would have to take the opportunity to have a look at how nature reclaims these spaces. I spend a lot of time in Gogama, and that seemed the perfect jumping-off point for a trip to the former Greenwater Provincial Park. As it turns out, once wouldn't be enough.

Stephenville AFS

Belonging to the United States Air Force, construction of this radar station began in 1951 and was completed two years later.

Harmon AFB Hanger

Arriving in Stephenville, Newfoundland, it's easy to find yourself driving along an old runway. As you look around, you will see many buildings remaining from the former Harmon AFB, some of them dating back to its original construction in the 1940's.

Harmon AFB Bunker

I had, unfortunately, read about this a few months after being in Stephenville for the first time. I marked it on my map for future reference with the idea that, someday, I would return.

Rose Blanche Lighthouse

Construction of this lighthouse began in July, 1871, as granite was quarried from nearby. Advice and equipment were supplied by D&T Stevenson, an engineering firm from Scotland. With a light standing 95 feet above sea level, it could be seen as far away as 13 miles in clear weather.

Rose Blanche Fish Plant

While driving along the South coast of Newfoundland, I was exploring every side road. I was surprised to see a small harbour with a large building and a few vehicles parked around it. Initially, I wrote it off and looked for a place to turn around. After a second glance, I realized that there were some gaping holes in the wall and no activity inside. Perhaps this warranted a closer look at what turned out to be a fish processing plant.