Thar She Blows!

Etzikom, Alberta is a tiny hamlet. Though it's not big, it is well kept and charming. Every corner has different black forged street signs depicting rural life and pioneers. It has no services, so pack a picnic lunch and make sure you have enough gas in your tank. We came here straight from Red Rock Coulee, since we were more than halfway already and always want to go. 

Why, you ask? Etzikom is home to a windmill museum. The museum itself is closed for the season, but since it main draw is the windmills and they are outside, we decided to check it out. It's very thoughtfully laid out on grounds that are generous and well kept. A winding, paved path meanders around the outdoor portion of the museum. It encourages visitors to have a leisurely amble. A couple of picnic tables under poplar trees was the perfect place to have our picnic lunch.

Judging by the museum's facebook page, when it's open, it's the place to go for pie and ice cream! It's not a far drive from Medicine Hat (85km) or Lethbridge (140km).  We may have to visit again when the buildings are open!

There's a Chinese proverb, "When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, some build windmills".

The pyramid shaped windmill was open and

and you could see the mechanisms inside.

My great aunt, Alice, was a prolific painter. Her windmill paintings were always my favourite. I got one as a gift when I got my first basement suite at 19. This windmill reminds me of her and her art.

Even a modern windmill blade!

Saga and Leif enjoyed the display of antique farm machinery and wagon. It's good there is no staff on site in the off season. Every time I turned my back, those mischievous trolls were climbing on equipment! My Dad would have appreciated that they choose the yellow and green plow!

Good thing there were no horses around! Leif and Saga may have gone for a joyride!

The windmills on the right are what I usually picture when I think of the homesteading pioneers. I had no idea we had such a great variety. When I was young, you would see them everywhere, like old barns and grain elevators. They are becoming rarities, which is sad. They were a marvel of engineering, constructed by our ancestors that made this arid landscape thrive and flourish.