One of my favorite things to do is drive around a rural countryside and look for historical energy themes. In Western Canada, it doesn’t take long to spot wind-powered pumps that were essential for lifting water from wells on the farms and ranches of early settlers. Without these, life would be dry, dusty, and largely intolerable.

In fact, wind driven water pumps are still used today. I took the photo of this one standing proudly in a coulee by Medicine Hat, Alberta. Dry brown soil with a hint of green vegetation, brilliant blue skies and sun’s rays reflecting off blades are all hallmarks of the landscape—and our energy heritage.