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Saturday, June 25, 2011

Return to the Edge of Nowhere, Part I

When last we left the edge of nowhere, I'd failed to find the hidden valley of my youth, but promised a return. Here at last is the opening chapter of what may very well be my last journey to Leaf Rapids, Manitoba.

When Sylvia and I returned home from our trip to Leaf Rapids back in 2006, I was thrilled to have seen my old stomping grounds again, but unfulfilled because of my failure to find the sinkhole that had such an impact on my youthful imagination. So when Mom informed us that she and Dad were heading to southern Manitoba for a dedication ceremony thanking Mom's family for a lake they'd donated, I immediately envisioned a road trip to Virden for the occasion followed by one last sortie north. I asked Sean if he'd be interested in seeing the old Etsell farm and his birthplace, and he readily agreed. Early on the morning of July 18, 2009, we headed East. Not, as you'll see below, without a few complications...


(Note: there are a few shots in the video above and in those to follow that were clearly taken as I was driving - not a smart move, and not one I recommend. I'm not sure why I was so foolish - clearly I was excited about the trip, focusing more on documenting the journey than on safety. Before I do this again, I'll set up a mount for the camera so that I can drive and shoot at the same time without dangerous distractions.)

2 comments:

Sean said...

I remember saying "epic fail," but forget what it was in reference to.

Earl J. Woods said...

We were trying to coordinate the sound effects shot that immediately followed.