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I love the Vermillion Lakes. They are between the town of Banff and the Trans-Canada Hwy, and are wonderful any time of year, in any weather. So that's where we went next....  It had been raining all night, and the forests were 'damping off', shrouding everything in mist...         I didn't much feel up to taking a new series of pumpkin carving photos this year. We are going away this weekend, so won't even be home on Hallowe'en, and I was majorly running out of time. But I'd bought five nice pumpkins back in early September - although one rotted while we were away - and I did get a last minute inspiration. So I decided to do it after all, and let the five new kids who weren't here last Hallowe'en, do the carving. The three boys got into it right away - cutting, and scooping out the innards...  The girls put on their aprons and began as well....  They were all working hard....  When the boys were done, they turned to check on the girls to see how they were coming along...  They were finished too. "What are those supposed to be?"  "Can't you tell?" "Not really," said the boys as they lit the candles inside their's...  "Well, how about now?"  "And here we thought you were Star Wars fans too!"
It had been raining heavily all night, and was still raining lightly as we headed into the town of Banff. With all the fog, and low clouds, the Banff Springs Hotel looked more like a haunted castle  The boys went to check out Bow Falls, which was heavy from all the overnight rain.....  "Let's hope it stops raining soon."  Back in Waterton townsite, we went to see Cameron Falls...   ..then the Prince of Wales Hotel, which was closed for the season....   Enjoying the view.  With most trees almost bare, and a big storm due the next few days, I figured it was the last chance for some fall photos with the coloured leaves. So right after Jan came home from work yesterday, we went for a short drive into the country looking for a suitable spot for some doll photos. We found a short dead-end road surrounded by bright yellow maple trees.....  I had put warm sweaters on a group of kids who'd not come along on our recent road trip, so they'd have a turn at a fun outing, and gathered up some tiny maple leaves...   From my position, flat on the ground, I can't reach the dolls to make any final posing adjustments, so I direct Jan to do it for me - a slight turn of the head here, or a chin down there, or brush someone's bangs out of their face, or remove an annoying leaf or branch between me and the dolls - and sometimes I'll take a photo while waiting.....  I love how he looks like a giant, and it really does show just how small the dolls are... 
   Next spot we went to visit in Waterton Lakes National Park, was Cameron Lake. The far end of the lake is in Glacier National Park in Montana, and in summer the lake is dotted with rented canoes, but now it's off-season  Milo and Holly take a short walk along the shore...   Then we decide to take some 'family portraits' in the woods adjoining the parking lot....    We had to go to Henry's in Scarborough yesterday, to get some sensor cleaner for my camera. I'm tired of having to clone out all the dust spots in my pictures! Anyway, while we were out that way, we also stopped in at the Lawrence Ave. Value Village. It looked like someone had donated a whole series of elaborate, very small, dance costumes - maybe for a two or three-year old.....  Jan started gathering them up, saying they'd be perfect to rework into BJD party dresses. Yes, they definitely would, but I'm still completely exhausted and sore from our trip, with no desire to sew anything at all right now, and as lovely as they were, they just made me tired to look at. I thought it seemed like a lot of work to try and get them ready for Christmas - after all it's just two months away - but Jan said there's no problem saving them until next year. Okay then! So I thought we'd better get out of there before Jan buys enough to keep me busy for all of next year! I also found a very nice, fine, printed, wine red, corduroy jumper that would make some great BID outfits, as well as a very finely pleated child's skirt, and a few other things that would rework nicely as doll clothes for Christmas gifts. The corduroy jumper really 'speaks' to me, and I've already cut it apart.  I love Value Village! It's such a great place to find things to repurpose as doll clothes, and the bonus is that often elaborate skirts can be used just as they are, without much work, and the resulting dress still look fabulous. Now if I only had the energy to get started!
Yesterday Teagan wanted me to take a 'School' picture of her doll. Even though Rachels dolls pretty much took over, but I did manage one 'School Girl at Her Desk', type photo for Teagan....  My favourite view in Waterton Lakes is from high up the road to the employee cabins. It offers a spectacular view of the Prince of Wales Hotel situated on a hill between Middle and Upper Waterton Lakes, surrounded by the lofty peaks of the Rockies.  I had in my mind the idea to recreate the shot taken three years ago, of my three adventurers hiking up the hill with this scene behind them. But that photo was taken in spring, when the previous year's grass was flat from the winter, and new grass had just sprouted. But now it was fall, and all the grasses were way too tall for a shot in that same spot, so we went higher up the hill to where there was mostly just gravel. There was a small log up there, perfect for a group shot...  Three of the kids pose for the camera....  I thought it was the perfect spot for a shot of just Owen and Leona....  Tried taking it from the back, but wasn't too happy with it....so changed their poses...  But it was extremely windy, and their faces had harsh shadows, so I tried tucking most of Leona's hair into the back of her sweater, and using my flash...   The flash does take away the harsh shadows and light up the dolls, but at the same time I feel it makes them look almost like they are sitting in front of a photo, instead of actually being there on location. I think I need to sew a little white cotton baggie to fit over my flash to help mute the bright light some, because the flash is a handy tool in these bright sunny situations, but I'd like it to be a bit less intense.
After two days of flat Prairies, we are more than ready to see the mountains, but the Rockies don't come into view until we are within 100 kms of them. So, with the mountain silhouettes finally in view, I decided it was our last chance to let the dolls see a wheat field up close. The wheat had already been harvested, leaving fields of short stubble - the perfect height for my dolls.   "Are those the mountains over there?", asks Coco, pointing to the west.  "Yes, they are! Let's get back in the RV. We are almost there."  Half an hour later, we were in Waterton Lakes National Park. In southern Alberta there are no foothills, but the mountains rise directly out of the Prairies. We booked a campsite and went down to the Lake to get a clearer view of the mountains....  The 'beach' was all rocks, and it was very windy. Waterton Lakes has a reputation for being an extremely windy place. The end of the lake is in Glacier National Park in Montana (USA). "Wow!" was all Coco could say.  |
AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes. Archives
May 2025
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