Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: on way to Lyalta

Much as I love a red barn, I thought this one was rather fine. Managed to find it on 18 January 2013, when I took my first ever drive quite a way east of Calgary. Those of you who know me, know I have battled a driving phobia for a few decades, so this was really pushing me way out of my comfort zone, to say the least! The previous evening, I had been on Google to try and find out very roughly how long it should take me to drive to the area I wanted to get to. On one website, I had noticed a photo of this barn and I thought it would give me a definite place to find. The day turned out to be a most unwanted "adventure". My car got stuck in snow and I couldn't get it free! After an hour and a half of trying to dig myself out in vain, I had to go to the nearest farm to ask for help!!!!! My Google Maps maps had said that this particular backroad went straight through - but it sure didn't! The farmer said that someone else had done it, when testing out his new vehicle, and had ended up in the creek ahead! Thank goodness I didn't get that far along! I felt SO bad asking this elderly man for help. In fact, when I got to his farm, no one answered the door, but just as I was leaving (feeling sick to the stomach, especially as I had no cell phone), he called out to me from across the farmyard. I asked him if there was a garage in Lyalta that would be able to come and get me out, but he said he would try to dig me out. I am SO thankful to this man!

Much as I love a red barn, I thought this one was rather fine. Managed to find it yesterday afternoon, when I took my first ever drive quite a way east of Calgary. Those of you who know me, know I have battled a driving phobia for a few decades, so this was really pushing me out of my comfort zone, to say the least! The previous evening, I had been on Google to try and find out very roughly how long it should take me to drive to the area I wanted to get to. On one website, I had noticed a photo of this barn and I thought it would give me a definite place to find. More about what turned out to be a most unwanted "adventure" when I get back from a walk this morning. Later: yesterday, I made myself drive quite a way east of Calgary for the very first time. Those who know me, know that I have battled a driving phobia most of my life. The last few years, I have longed to be able to drive eastwards, to see if I could find a Snowy Owl. So, finally, yesterday was THE day! I had gone to Google Maps, enlarged and printed 12 pages of maps and taped them together, so I was quite well prepared. The night before, I had tried to find out how far Lyalta was from Calgary, and on one website, there was a photo of a rather nice barn. Decided to make that my first destination point and I was successful. Driving a few roads near Lyalta, I thought I would try one last road before heading back towards Calgary. Well, guess who got herself stuck in snow and took an hour and a half to try and dig herself out in vain and had to go to the nearest farm to ask for help!!!!! My Google Maps maps said that this particular backroad went straight through - but it sure didn't! The farmer said that someone else had done it, when testing out his new vehicle, and had ended up in the creek ahead! Thank goodness I didn't get that far along! I felt SO bad asking this elderly man for help. In fact, when I got to his farm, no one answered the door, but just as I was leaving (feeling sick to the stomach, especially as I have no cell phone), he called out to me from across the farmyard. I asked him if there was a garage in Lyalta that would be able to come and get me out, but he said he would try to dig me out. I am so thankful to this man! Needless to say, I thought I'd better stick to the paved roads for the rest of my time out there! Not a single Snowy Owl, of course. Felt totally shattered when I got home, and still today, ha. However, I did it! It might be the very last time I ever try it, but I did it. (Though this barn was not in Lyalta, I've marked Lyalta on my map, more to remind myself where I drove to, than anything else).