Toolin’ upstream

This was the scene of a rockin’ party Thursday night on the Farwest – ahem, Lewis and Clark riverboat. We were in the area joining the throng of people photographing the sunset and I noticed this behemoth slowly making its way back up the river.

This is a fun little excursion for a group activity. I’ve never just hopped on the boat other than as part of a church or work activity, but I am pretty sure it’s best enjoyed with a boatload of friends (pun intended).

This was originally called the Farwest riverboat, but all the investors sold out and the new owners renamed it the Lewis and Clark riverboat. That’s a wise move considering all the other LC hype going on right now.

Thursday night sunset

The TNS, as the kids call it, has been on somewhat of a haitus lately because I’ve been so tied up with the home remodeling project. With a little bit of breathing room now, as the project approaches completion, my wife and I took a trip north of town to a nice little hill where we saw these sweeping clouds. Ah, it feels good to be outside for a change!

GEESE at the OWLS

Those baby geese have gotten pretty big already! This family hang out at the Game & Fish Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site (OWLS) east of Bismarck. There are plenty of fish and turtles in the lake, birds everywhere, and I didn’t spot a single wood tick so far.

There were a couple of families out fishing from the bridge – it’s a catch & release lake – and the site is getting its annual facelift. There are walking paths and informational signage all over the site. It’s a great place to take your kids or to just go for a walk. Bring insect repellent though!

Fallen Farm #7

This row of buildings sits right off County Road 138 in Morton County, just west of the MWWS water tower that went up a few years ago. The land it’s on is farmed but the buildings look as if they’ve been untouched for quite a long time. I have a habit of staying clear of them for reasons such as trespassing and critters…besides, in this case I need to stay back to fit all three buildings into the frame!

There’s something about these dilapidated old farm buildings, or what’s left of many of them, that has a somber charm unique to North Dakota. That’s why I need to photograph falling farmsteads whenever I see them.

Oops, someone rolled the thresher!

Yeah…ya wanna just go get that and put it back? Looks like the wind took this old threshing machine and toppled it from its perch high atop the bluff above.

This site will greet you just as you start the voyage “Around the World,” where my friend Barry and I took our motorcycles on Memorial Day. In a previous post I took the route that goes past the Sweet Briar school, but you can also end up taking a slightly more scenic route by turning left on Lyons Drive, just west of Mandan.

This is a particularly scenic drive these days now that the fields have greened up. Rolling plains, sharp valleys and a winding road make for an enjoyable drive.

Monday night sunset

The sky was afire tonight as my wife and I pulled up to a certain hill with our cameras. I wanted to show the entire horizon, as the colors were spectacular, but this particular slice of the sky was most interesting. With this sunset Memorial Day has once again come and gone. That means you’re probably reading this on the job…get back to work!

Oh, deer!

As you go down Burnt Boat road toward Pioneer Park, you’ll see a street heading north to a hill overlooking River Road. It’s a new housing development that’s been off to a bit of a slow start but is seeing more development lately, including new roads being paved. To the east of this road is a wide expanse of untouched land in a wide, sloping valley.

That’s where I spotted this doe tonight. This area of grassland extends all the way back over to Divide Avenue where it turns into Tyler Parkway, by the fire station. It’s a prime hideout for deer during the day as well as at dusk, when I saw this one.

Wishing you a safe and happy Memorial Day

What do you think of when you think Memorial Day? Do you think of graduation? Camping? The opening weekend of the Medora Musical? Or just Monday off? Regardless of what Memorial Day means to you, it is a day (along with 364 others every year) that was purchased for us by the brave men and women whose lives, sometimes the loss thereof, protect and defend our country and our freedoms.

Anyone who thinks that “war is not the answer” is deluded by the luxury of a sheltered existence, one brought about by this country’s might and sacrifice on the field of battle in the past. Truly evil people will not be contained by dialogue, and this world is full of them. Notice that only the USA still stands up to anyone in this world, and it’s able to do so because of the superior armed forces standing up for us each day.

Thank you to all who serve and have served. To my friend Reed and the rest of the 112th I want to say that I’m proud of you, I pray for you, and I eagerly await your return home.

Bugs fight their way to third place

It is with great joy that I walked into Bob’s Photo to see a big 3rd Place Overall ribbon on one of my photos. The “Crowded Lunch” photo is taking home an award!

I got this picture without realizing what the bugs were doing. It wasn’t until later when I got home and was perusing the photos that I realized that they were arm wrestling over the flower. Pretty sweet catch!

All contest entries are still posted at Bob’s for another week or so. Be sure to stop in and look around, and enter next year! You don’t have to have a fancy camera or take an artsy-craftsy photo to enter. Just take four pics that you’re proud of and enter them. You’ll be glad you did, and the rest of us can enjoy your work.

Trifecta!

Finally! I knew this car was out there, but never had the opportunity for a photo. In fact, I haven’t seen this car since I got my camera…until Tuesday. What a work of art (and patriotism)! Call it what you will, hate it or love it, but you must admit this is a unique vehicle.

In the past I’m sure you’ve seen my posts about the 4×4 Mercedes :

and of course, the 4×4 Firebird :

And the acquisition of the Cadillac photo completes the trifecta. Or the hat trick, if you happen to be a UND Fighting Sioux Hockey fan. I know we’ve got a bunch of those out there!