I actually got to roam a little bit this weekend, and I had some incredibly fortunate timing when it comes to the fog. I caught the perfect window which allowed me to fly my drone safely and legally, and the fog which remained gave the perfect diffusion to the harsh winter sun, eliminating those pesky late-year shadows.
This was a targeted trip, but it came with several bonuses. One of them is this old Union Pacific rail car! The others…well, they’re waiting to be processed. We’ll see what time allows.
Category Archives: On the Road
Wayward wagon
I was venturing down a rural highway in northeastern North Dakota when I spotted this old wagon on a hill overlooking the road. I actually had to keep moving, as I had a deadline to meet up at Icelandic State Park, but I punched a quick marker in my Garmin in case I ever came this way again. Not likely, I thought. But then…
Continue readingA different kind of wake
I haven’t posted in a long time, but I have had plenty of photos to share. One batch is of this boat, just hanging out in the middle of a field along Interstate 94.
Continue readingMy new favorite autumn spot: Tetrault Overlook
I’ll come right out and say it: the single greatest hindrance to my photography hobby is gas money. More directly, the lack of gas money is an enormous obstacle. So when I got the chance to head to the Pembina Gorge area with my sweetie, I jumped all over it. I had some recommendations from friends, and this one turned out to be perfect…
Continue readingHey! In Maddock
One of my favorite road trip activities is to exclaim, “Hay!” whenever we encounter a bunch of hay. Of course, as a city kid I’m not very astute at distinguishing hay from straw, so I had better be careful if I have a farm kid with me. Thankfully I was safe when I saw this beauty while rolling through Maddock a while back.
Continue readingI wonder how long it’s been standing here
I saw this wonderful old barn as I rounded a curve in a rural highway, and it caught my eye from the side long before I saw this gorgeous view of its front. I thought it was nice of the builders and/or owners to boast of its apparent construction date! I hope I look this grand when I’m 106 years old!
Continue readingStanding tall
Barn? Private elevator? I don’t claim to know, but whatever this old building is, it’s magnificent. I’d taken a wrong turn (don’t *ever* trust Apple Maps) on my way back to the highway, and while I turned around in what appeared to have been a driveway at one time I saw this. I snapped a quick photo from the window of my truck and went back to Google.
For my photography and route planning I use a hiking model GPS – two, actually – with an incredible amount of information on it, including section lines and rural roads. But they have no idea how to navigate them. That’s not their purpose. Besides, the phone apps are so darn good (Google, not Apple) and are continuously updated. So I have GPS for very specific uses, and let the mobile app(s) do the navigating.
One more reason to love roaming in North Dakota
One of the most encouraging parts of roaming our state is the signage. There are signs championing life, liberty, and faith. This one caught my eye, and the evening light made it stand out even better. The message of the sign is the truest one you’ll find, especially along the side of a rural highway.
God Bless North Dakota!
Curve ahead
I’ve seen these power poles many times while traveling I-94 between Valley City and Jamestown, and always wanted a photo. Well, I finally got one…barely. I was roaming around northeast North Dakota and barely made it down Highway 1 in time to grab a sunset photo of these posts. Mission accomplished. And I got a great sky to work with, too.
Bill Clinton could not be reached for comment.
Gnarly, dude
I saw this tree along a gravel road in Morton County and had to stop and take a few shots. I had the right sky for something so twisted and nearly grotesque. What a testament to the tenacity of creation!
Clearly this tree has endured some things, but it doesn’t appear as though it’s given up. Reach for the sky!
I’m no Tim Burton, but I see an elegance, a grace, even a beauty in this tree. That’s why I jammed on the brakes as I careened down the adjacent gravel road at 45 mph, threw it in reverse (I drive a manual transmission truck, so I can “throw” it into any gear I please), and whizzed back to take a few shots of this remarkable tree.