American Coaster Enthusiasts

The drive down the Kootenay Pass, The highest highway pass in Canada was beautiful. The sun still low on the horizon illuminated the ice crystals that covered the trees, rocks and winding mountain streams. Out of the mountains and down the foothills I ended up in Cowley Alberta, home to Michael and Celia Horwood. Good friends as good as family, I spent a day resting in their peaceful country home that looks out onto a wide stretch of the rocky mountains. This area is known for it's numerous windmill farms not to mention it's also where parts of "Brokeback Mountain" were filmed. It is Rancher country, but they too share with the Deer, Coyote, Jack rabbit and blue swallows.

Michael and Celia fill each year with an exciting passion that brought them together many years ago. You may have guessed it by the title, they Love Roller coasters. They are members of A.C.E. and the European Coaster Club (ECC) to name a few, and they have traveled all over the world in search of great thrills that make them scream for joy. You couldn't miss this detail about them, although it's just the tip of the iceberg for this interesting couple, they proudly display their numerous collections of amusement park memorabilia of past and present throughout their home. They were kind enough to don there coaster vests for a portrait. Michael and Celia recently returned from a trip to Scandinavia. 11 days and 14 parks they saw Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Check out Michael's Website at www.horwoodcomposer.com/ Here there's much more about his even bigger passion as a musical Composer.

A long drive today has landed me at the Safari motel in Swift Current Saskatchewan. Funny the only trace of wildlife here is an 8x10 photo of a hippo. Tomorrow, I'll give the squatchmoblie an oil change in Regina and visit with Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Sal Badali.

Dick Spencer and Dome Spirit Domes

South of Kelowna in Summerland, lives a dome builder named Dick Spencer. I have always been interested in domes and even fancy the idea of building one someday, so this was a great treat to find out more about Dick's style of building.

Dick says "Domes got a bad rap from poor experiments in their early years" it seems their are plenty of dome lovers and builders out there who all have altered and perfected their own styles. "Too many people worry about resale value, be happy in design of your home because you have to live with it". He explains that banks have really hampered financing any unconventional building and that crushes a lot of peoples dreams of building and living in domes. He hopes that will change with the popularity and priority of energy efficiency and green building.



Dick builds using a panel style, pre-fabricating the different sizes of triangles and then shipping them to the building site and installing them where they are assembled. Check out his website at domespirit

Dan Sawatzky & The Imagination Corporation

This would be my first stop on the trip back. A man named Dan Sawatzky and his Imagination Corporation. He's an artist to put it simply. He's mastered the materials required to bring his visions to life, and his visions come from a world of fantasy and imagination.

Ever wonder who that guy is that creates the theme signs and environments at amusement parks and mini-golf courses. well it's guys like Dan. But he not only builds them he works in them and soon will live in a home of the same inspiration.

Well known for his drawings and murals, dan is a master signmaker to boot. I met him at his shop in Yarrow near chilliwack, which looks more like a magic castle from the outside, not to mention the minature pony's and railway. Dan travels around a lot giving lectures, and workshops on new fabrication techniques, as well as a worthwhile stop at Disneyland, who would love to steal dan away his own projects. But Dan Loves life and Loves the life that he lives just too much to work for anyone else.



He gave me a tour of his giggle ridge mini-golf at Cultus Lake not far from his home, a lot of detail went into this place and nothing gets in the way of Dan's vision. He makes Dreams a reality. To see more of his creations check out his website, at the Imagination Corporation

Homeword Bound

I have been hiding out on Mayne island for a couple months now, doing odd carpentry and construction work, anything I can pick up. Swinging an axe here, demolition there. In this time I've met a bunch of people learned a few building tricks and I've gotten pretty damp. But I think I must have picked the wrong island at this time.

Although about 1000 people stick it out here all year, I've only counted about 10 of them in their mid-twenties. I never thought I would feel as isolated as I did out there and thats not why I came out west. So i am returning to family and friends, a few more kliks on the Van and a pretty good snapshot of Mayne island life, and sore but stronger hands. The trip back will be highlighted by a couple creative artists and builders and definately many more photos. Stay tuned and I hope to see you soon...