Good Times, Robot Chimes (longest photo post EVER)
The Crowsnest Pass has been equated to a second Banff/Jasper without the rampant tourism. When you view it from the outside, we have the right elements -- the mountains, the forests, the water, the rich history, and the quaint towns. But apparently 10,000 people drive through the area without stopping each day, and some say we are letting dollars slip through our fingers by being resistant to change and not promoting the area for what it is worth. Then again, how can we advance when 70% of the population is senior citizens who are nursing memories of the past? When the police have to be called during a town council meeting because the mayor started a fist fight? When large parts of the towns look like slums? I'm glad we're not a tourist-ridden place, but I've got to say, maybe we should care a bit more about appearances. The first section of this photo documentary puts the worst parts of Coleman (one of the towns in the Pass) on display. The intent of this photo excursion was to seek out the negative aspects of the town (not that that was difficult...), but I want to note that it's not all bad. The photos in the second section of this post show a sampling of the wonderful history in the towns and the exquisite beauty to be encountered outdoors in the area. As entertaining as it is to poke fun at the Pass, I still feel very lucky to live here and am proud to call it my home.
It's time to...
Then...
...and now.
Read on to find out what we've accomplished in 100 years.
And, feel privileged to see this inside story, for we are a very private community.
Then again, you can't hide everything from view.
Hey look, it's a construction site! Wait, no... that's someone's backyard right in town...
At least this discarded stuff is contained in a store, but it's still on main street Coleman.
Now I'm no doctor, but I'm thinking part of this fellow's problem is that he's got holes in his feet.
At any given time, our mayor will have numerous decrepit vehicles surrounding his house. John Irwin has been the mayor for probably a decade now, and everyone is afraid to vote him out because he is the only surgeon in the Pass and we are worried that he will leave if we don't vote him in. Yay dictatorship! Eh, at least each of the five towns doesn't have its own mayor and town council now.
He has a nice house, but most people live in shanties!
And just about EVERYONE lives by the tracks.
And if the train going by doesn't wake you up, the stupid people in their stupid big trucks with their stupid big tires and stupid broken mufflers WILL.
Parking a semi in your driveway is a common occurance around here.
The local hang-out.
Look, it's the Roxy Theatre! Er, I mean, the XY Theatre. Sadly closed long ago.
hostel (noun): A supervised, inexpensive lodging place for travelers, especially young travelers. Yeah, I wouldn't feel safe staying here...
...there's always hobos nearby!
I mean, really, only a hobo would have robot/cowboy wind chimes:
I think Mr. Robot Chimes might be related to Rusty here.
Ah, now I understand. It's alcohol: the cause of, and solution to, all of the Pass's problems!
Well, maybe the inadquate town office has something to do with it.
I can't take it anymore! Let me out!
People are moving in droves.
I wouldn't want to be this boy's neighbour either. Seems prone to try kancho on ya, if you know what that is.
Man, this place has gone to the dogs.
What would your mother think?!
Dogs chained inside their yards;
Mayor Irwin has twelve old cars.
Trucks are rusty, tires large;
They belong on a garbage barge.
Hobos line an abandoned street;
For handouts, the vermin compete.
Here lay some decrepit appliances;
Removal prevented by poor finances.
Threatening signs here and there;
No this, no that - no EVERYWHERE.
Fences unpainted, steps collapsing;
What do tourists think in passing?
The for sale signs are widespread...
Everyone's moving - or they're dead.
So by now you should have a pretty negatively biased opinion towards the CNP. But now, in a daring twist, I shall try to reverse this by showing you the beauty that lies within and beyond. First there are some pretty cool historical things in Coleman:
What an amazing area to live in.
And once you get out of the towns...
...you are quite possibly in the most beautiful place in the world.
In conclusion, HOW CAN YOU NOT WANT TO LIVE HERE TANYA?