Ghost Town of Rhyolite, Nevada

Located near the eastern edge of Death Valley National Park, the ghost town of Rhyolite, Nevada has become a tourist attraction in its own right. Once a mining town of over 3000 people at the beginning of the 20th century, Rhyolite was almost completely abandoned by 1920.

While much of the town has vanished, a few prominent structures remain - like the train depot, bottle house, and ruins of the old bank. Similar to East Jesus in Slab City, part of Rhyolite has been transformed by outdoor sculptures and art projects. Surrounded by some relatively harsh desert, the ghost town of Rhyolite is a welcome bit of novelty to explore. 

  

Archival Restorations & Medicine Hat in 1883

While I've always had an interest in old photographs, it's a relatively new skill that I've been practicing in restoring and colourizing archival images. I was particularly interested in some of the earliest images that I could find of my hometown, Medicine Hat, Alberta.  

Here are some of my recent experiments from Medicine Hat's founding in 1883.

1. This image was taken 142 years ago today on June 14, 1883.

It shows a North-West Mounted Police outpost with a newly formed tent town in the distance. The timber train bridge in the background had just been completed by the Canadian Pacific Railway, with the first train crossing taking place just a few days prior on June 10, 1883. 

It was the beginning of a place called Medicine Hat.

2. Another piece of 142 year old history.

This photograph depicts the first train crossing on the newly built timber bridge in Medicine Hat on June 10, 1883. You can see that the train is full of railway ties and telegraph polls as the workers of the Canadian Pacific Railway continued their westward expansion across the South Saskatchewan River.

With the mountains ahead, the final spike in CP's coast to coast railway would finally be driven in Craigellachie, British Columbia on November 7, 1885 - a year and half after this moment was captured in the newly founded Medicine Hat.

3. This image was taken on June 18, 1883.

The craziest thing about finding and restoring these archival images when I did, is that I seem to be unintentionally following in the footsteps of this unnamed photographer who was capturing some of the first ever images in the area.

This image shows the newly founded tent town of Medicine Hat about a week after the completion of the CPR bridge across the river.

Hogsmeade: Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Hogsmeade at Universal Orlando Resort in Florida is a magical themed area located in Universal’s Islands of Adventure. As part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Hogsmeade brings to life the snow-covered rooftops, crooked chimneys, and charming shops seen in the films, offering visitors an immersive journey into J.K. Rowling’s world.

At the heart of Hogsmeade is the majestic Hogwarts Castle, home to the thrilling ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. This groundbreaking attraction takes guests on a flying adventure through familiar locations like the Forbidden Forest, the Quidditch pitch, and the castle itself, blending motion simulation and real sets with stunning visuals.

Hogsmeade also features Flight of the Hippogriff, a family-friendly coaster that simulates a training flight over Hagrid’s hut, and the exciting roller coaster Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, which takes guests on a high-speed journey through the Forbidden Forest alongside magical creatures.

Shops in Hogsmeade sell authentic wizarding merchandise, including wands at Ollivanders, sweets at Honeydukes, and wizard robes at Dervish and Banges. The interactive wand spots let guests cast spells throughout the village, making windows animate and objects move.

Dining options include the rustic Three Broomsticks tavern, where guests can enjoy traditional British dishes and try the famous Butterbeer, served cold, frozen, or hot.

With its snow-covered charm, thrilling attractions, and rich attention to detail, Hogsmeade delivers an unforgettable experience for Harry Potter fans and theme park visitors alike.