About me

 

Hello there. My name is Brad, and this is my website. I live in Beaver County on a Saskatoon Berry Farm. The trains on the CN mainline cross by my bedroom window, a couple of miles away. But a few years ago, I lived in Northside Edmonton. I have written a series of short stories that express my thoughts on Vegreville and my hometown, Edmonton. Viking and the Holden Hotel in Holden, Alberta, are also mentioned.

 

I have previously published two books: Brothers of McCauley, about the entrepreneurially minded neighbourhood of McCauley just outside downtown Edmonton, and Blazing Community Spirit, about life in Holden and rural Beaver County.

 

I went to college in Olds, and now I'm going to NAIT. I enjoy gardening, cycling, photography, creative writing, and travelling.

 

My last vacation was to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. I wanted to photograph their colourful houses and expected a similar experience to the one I had in Halifax a few years ago. I walk down beautiful trails from the airport into the city. The houses were beautiful, and I went to Gower Street United Church, which has a second gallery above the first. The street layout was so interesting. Everything is uphill or downhill. I stayed in the Georgestown neighbourhood and spent time in Bannerman Park. I went to several concerts at the Battery Cafe. The Rooms, Confederation Building, and the Port cellars were interesting, while the Colonial Building was really fascinating as the guide related the events of Prime Minister Squires being forced out of his job. At Government House, the Lieutenant Governor introduced herself before I toured her beautiful house. I loved the Rennies River trail and enjoyed hikes around Signal Hill. Overall, the history, friendliness, music, and beer of St. John's won't be forgotten. I can't wait to return. While Halifax was busy and modern, with beautiful parks like the Commons and Public Gardens offering respite from the urbanity, St. John's was largely rebuilt in the 1890s, and the roads were all up and down hill. It created a beautiful environment for me to take photos. Bannerman Park was really cool to hang out in, as it became busy in the afternoons. I especially loved the gates.  

 

Last December I went to Holland. I saw the village my mom was born in, and the building in Haarlem that my great-grandfather had a butcher shop in and lived upstairs. I stayed in Amsterdam near the train station and enjoyed several day trips to other cities.

 

The previous year, I travelled to Salt Spring and Duncan, BC, to visit family. I enjoyed breakfast at Barb's Buns and pizza for dinner at Del Vecchio. My brother and his wife are also excellent cooks, so I ate very well. We kayaked to Wallace Island, and for the weekend, I went to Vancouver Island to stay with my Aunt and Uncle, and we went sailing in Cowichan Bay. It wasn't very windy, but I still loved being on the sailing boat.

 

Earlier that year, I went to Saskatoon. I took a lot of photos of the old houses and churches, and did a lot of walking along Spadina and Saskatchewan Crescents and the Meewasin trail. Riversdale was interesting, and the university campus was beautiful. The old stone barn, observatory, and stone schoolhouse were highlights, as well as the Diefenbaker Centre. I enjoyed the cafes d'Lish by Tish in Nutana and City Perks in City Park. I enjoyed the breweries and live music at the Capitol Music Club, and a late night at the Hose and Hydrant nightclub. I went to Crossmount Cider Company and the Cranberry Flats Conservation Area south of the city. The Bessborough Hotel and churches along Spadina Crescent in the central business district were beautiful, and the Remai Modern art museum and Ukrainian Museum of Canada were worth checking out. I saw lots of old tractors at the Western Development Museum. Overall, I was really impressed with Saskatoon. It was friendly, clean, and I could walk everywhere I needed to go.

 

The previous year , during the summer, I went to Halifax. I enjoyed kayaking to Georges Island and taking a boat to McNabs Island where I went in the water at the beach. Halifax had lots of old buildings and interesting museums. I really liked the city's walkability and enjoyed the Maud Lewis exhibit at the art gallery. Lunenburg was a really cool place to explore and take photographs. I need to go back to explore rural Nova Scotia more. Earlier in the year, I stayed in Vancouver after coming in on the Via Rail train and then took the ferry to Salt Spring Island. The highlight was kayaking with my brother and his family on the ocean.

 

Recently, I have been living at my parents' farm in Beaver County. I am enjoying a peaceful, quiet life as I finish my schooling.