There’s a perfectly good explanation for this. I have no idea what that might be

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Do cows like to line up and watch a cloud show? Perhaps they do. I didn’t see anything else nearby that could cause two dozen cattle to line up shoulder to shoulder along this barbed wire fence south of Valley City. Naturally a couple of bovine sentries turned around to keep an eye on me as I approached, blowing an otherwise perfect shot, but the fact that all twenty-four of them were still lined up along the top of this hill was worth a hike and a few quick shots.

Where’s Waldo? Hiding out behind Home Depot

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Tooling westward along Calgary Avenue, my attentive eye (yes, I do pay attention to the road while out with the camera) caught a dark spot on the back of the former Home Depot building. A quick cruise around the back of the parking lot confirmed that something was afoot:

Someone stenciled Waldo on a boarded-up back door. Weird. I’m not sure when someone would get the time to stencil this next to a road that’s become so busy lately, probably in the wee hours of the night or morning. I haven’t found any significance to this particular graphic online, although I have a pretty good idea of what it may mean locally. I have sources everywhere…

This building has been purchased by a group of investors for development, and the latest rumor in the local media is that it could become home to some state government offices. Personally I (and others I have talked to) would like to see it become a Fleet Farm. That would be a welcome addition to Bismarck-Mandan, and the building is already the right color!

Guess where Byron Dorgan probably isn’t moving back to?

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A statement in this dated press release from Byron Dorgan has some speculating that he is unlikely to return to North Dakota:

“I have written two books and have an invitation from a publisher to write two more books. I would like to do some teaching and would also like to work on energy policy in the private sector.”

That’s all fine and dandy. I read his first book, Take This Job And Ship It, and found it to basically be a bunch of campy anecdotes with the following simple message: Unions good. Business bad. Government necessary. Rob Port put it best when he described it as “a study in economic illiteracy.”

As Senator Dorgan’s term in office comes to an end, that press release has led a Washington Examiner columnist to speculate that Byron will become a lobbyist rather than returning to the state he’s called home for all these years.

And what of his desire to teach and work “in the private sector” (ie, pad his pockets as a lobbyist or “consultant”)? Somehow I doubt that will bring him back to the shoebox apartment (owned by Kent Conrad) pictured above.

I’ve long surmised that Dorgan and Conrad simply kept these little apartments, with their olive green appliances and ratty, hand-labeled mailboxes, for the sole purpose of keeping a North Dakota address on paper for residency…thereby providing them eligibility to run for re-election as North Dakotans. With that no longer necessary, I suspect somebody else may soon be occupying Apartment Number Six.

That’s good, because the LLC which Gaylord Kent Conrad (GKC) owns and sold his apartment buildings to for $1.00 could probably use the income. There’s a recall effort underway regarding the Senator, and Politico has an interesting note about Senator Conrad:

“The 62-year-old Conrad said he’s deciding ‘whether or not I want to do this another eight years.'”

Of course, I wouldn’t expect Kent Conrad to return to North Dakota, either. Not when he’s got a million dollar house on a Delaware beach that didn’t show up on his financial disclosure reports.

These two have been masquerading as North Dakotans while living the life of Washington DC insiders for far too long. We’ve reclaimed one office in the Senate, one in the House, and it’s time to take back our remaining seat in the US Senate. Chances are you won’t see these guys hanging out on East Central Avenue once that happens.

Good news for your taste buds: Five Guys

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Someone at the U-Mary game this weekend mentioned that they thought Five Guys would be open on Monday (technically today!). I sure hope so. If you’ve never eaten at a Five Guys restaurant, you’re in for a real treat! Order your burger just how you like it, with a variety of fixin’s, and fries made from fresh potatoes. You get peanuts to snack on while you wait.

I had never heard of this chain until earlier this year. I was on a traveling video shoot with a couple of guys who’d worked in Washington, DC and were absolutely hooked on Five Guys burgers. We stopped in Fargo and saw one of these shops and they absolutely had to stop, even though I was in a taco mood. I was so glad we did! I’m very excited to frequent this establishment, beginning as soon as possible. Yum!

By the way, I’m sure you were going to try this anyway…but the URL for their website is fiveguys.com.

Busy day at the Memorial

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I didn’t think I’d make it to the memorial at the capitol today, but I did. I had plenty of company. Showing up twenty minutes early turned out to be a pretty good plan, as it really packed in with people (including a LOT of kids) waiting to see the phenomenon!

This is the circular beam of light which is cast by the sun thanks to a tube in the side of the memorial (see the post immediately below this one). At 11:00 it is centered on North Dakota, which is a raised and somewhat polished portion of brass on the globe in the monument’s center.

The globe itself has seen better days. The brass North Dakota is tarnished and needs to be polished & coated. There are also bird droppings on it, something I figured would be corrected before Veterans’ Day arrived. I figured wrong. If a volunteer is needed, I’ll put my name on the list.

This was a neat event, but let’s not forget that today is about the nation’s soldiers. Please read on to the post below this one for more on that. Thank every veteran and soldier you encounter today!

On this day of remembrance

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I’m sure many of you will recognize the All Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the North Dakota state capitol. With today being Veterans’ Day, there will be a lot of visitors here. This memorial does something special on this day, although a cloudy day may hamper that a little. So far the forecast has been wrong and the skies are clear, so perhaps all can proceed as planned.

For anyone who doesn’t know, the top of this memorial is only square on the outside; the inside is a spherical dome. That’s important for many reasons, which are evident when you’re there. At the center of the monument is a globe on a pedestal.

As the placard describes, something special happens here at 11 o’clock on the eleventh hour of the eleventh month every year, in commemoration of Veterans’ Day.

At precisely that time, the rays of the sun travel down this hole in the dome of the monument, beaming their way directly toward the globe at its center. I was kinda hoping that someone would be able to clean that stain off the wall where water sometimes drips through the tunnel.

On the globe, North Dakota is raised and polished above the surrounding terrain. The light of the sun strikes it directly for a brief period of time every Veterans’ Day at 11 am, lighting it up for those in attendance.

I’m not sure my schedule will allow me to attend today, so I thought I’d share some images of this phenomenon from years past. Judging by the number of people waiting to catch a glimpse of this once-a-year happening, I can see it’s no secret.

This is the base upon which the globe sits. Note that the inscription says “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day.” That’s significant because World War I ended at 11:00 on 11/11/1918.

In addition to this memorial and the ones at each end of the new Memorial Bridge, there is also the Global War on Terror Memorial in west Bismarck. Sadly, names have been added to the roster here in 2010 as we continue to stand vigilant against terrorist adversaries.

Dedicated on September 11th, this memorial specifically honors those who have sacrificed all in the war on global terrorism. While September 11th is of important significance at this memorial, so too is November 11th. In my opinion we can’t have enough days honoring our soldiers. 365 per year seems about right.

Today is about one thing: remembrance of the American soldier. Millions have served this great nation over the past couple hundred years and every one of them sacrificed a great deal, even if they didn’t lose their life or suffer physical injury in battle. We should hold them in high regard and thank them for the freedoms we enjoy because of their commitment to duty. Regardless of whether the sun appears today these Memorials are always worth a visit. Then take some time to peruse the names on those metal placards and consider the men and women who protect this great nation.

I’d like to pass along my personal thanks to all veterans and their families, who sacrifice along with them. Closest to me are my friends Reed and Tony, although I’ve met many others and owe my freedom to millions of ’em. Military service is not something to be taken lightly, and neither is the sacrifice of a soldier’s family. Today’s a good day to take some time and express our thanks.

Second calling

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One noteworthy feature of the North Dakota landscape is an old box car converted into farmyard storage. Sadly, I think many of them are now part of the abandoned, deteriorating “fallen farms” which catch my eye so frequently. As they crumble, they take a bit of history to the dust with them. The lettering on this one was too faded to read. As the property was signed “No Trespassing” I was unable to get a closer look, settling to take my photos from the road.

Help wanted: Somebody “bale” me out!

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I got up before the sun today to roam around with my cameras and some guns. I’m not a hunter, but I knew I’d probably swing by the range in my travels, and I was not wrong. It’s an interesting time to be a photographer, this hunting season. For instance, I don’t hike anywhere off the road…I don’t want to get shot.

Traveling the back roads is quite entertaining, however. I appreciate when I run into things like this, where someone has taken the time to provide a laugh for passers-by. Of course, on a road as remote as this, I doubt many people would get to see it (aside from the new hunting arrivals). That’s why I’m pleased to be able to share it with you.