Whitewood, South Dakota - Rally 2015

The town we moved to in 2009 is a very sleepy, watch time go by, much overlooked, population of 940 according to city-data.com.  However, I dispute the town is this large as an overall statement - believe we are far more in the 6-800 numbers.  But then, what do I know?  I just live here.  But not even in town....I prefer the "suburbs".

Sturgis 2015 Rally - the 75th annual - was massive to say the least.  Our small town had a vacant event venue transformed into a viable business.  We were invaded by bikers, bikers, and more bikers.  Helicopter rides were seen being given on a what seemed like a continual basis.  A party bus ran between Sturgis and Whitewood on a frequent schedule.  Our economy received a H-U-G-E jolt!

This is what a sleepy town looks like during a huge Sturgis 75th Anniversary Rally. 

Congratulations to the owner's of the Whitewood Campground and Event Center.  You have our survived your first Rally!  I hope your investment into our community pays off not only for you, but for our town's economy also.

Mom and Her Siblings

Rally 2015 besieged the area for the past several weeks leaving virtually no time for anything but, well, Rally.  Things are pretty much back to normal in the Black Hills now though, with the estimated 1.8 million visitors on their way home at this point.  

The family reunion I spoke of a couple posts ago was the Lindsay's - my Mom's side of the family.  Although many cousins were missing, Mom was able to spend time with all of her siblings and we managed to even get one good photo of all of them - even all of them looking at the camera.  (A feat to say the least with 40 different cameras flashing!)

Karl (younger brother), Evelyn (youngest sister), Mom (oldest) and Mildred (2nd to youngest).  A spry group for sure!

And one with spouses:  Louis and Karl, Evelyn and Allen, Mom and her sister Mildred.

Even though everyone had been camping for a least a couple of days at this point, I'd say they all clean-up pretty well!

Wait! What is that?????

Driving home for work last night a saw a sight one just does not expect to see on I-90.  We are just to low.

Not sure he even noticed them!

Three Big Horn Sheep ewes, with one lamb.  Two of the ewes were collared, but I couldn't tell on the third.  The crazy part is that this is just over the hill from our house.  Wouldn't it be cool to have big horn sheep on our place?!?!?!?!??!!

Carissa Mine - South Pass City, Wyoming

Bill and I just returned from a camping family reunion on South Pass.  All the years we lived there, we never had the time to stop at this historical site.  I think we need to return when we can get a tour of the mine.  It looks rather interesting.

An eight photo composite of the mine.  Quite the undertaking for its day.

Respect Is Due

We did not wait for the White House to F-I-N-A-L-L-Y give the order to lower flags to half staff in honor of the Marines killed in the attack at their recruiting office last Thursday, July 16th.  When we returned from camping and heard the news, we lowered our flag.  As did many Americans, even if the current occupier of the Oval Office wasn't seeing the atrocity of the terror act that had just taken place on our American soil.  (Yesterday, mid-morning MST finally the order was given - after much criticism was mounting.)

Last night, as the moon was setting, I decided to play with the camera.  Rest in peace Sentinels.  America will survive our current administration, and we will prevail over the evil that wishes to terrorize us on even our own soil.

A breath of air came as I snapped the first one as if the Sentinels were saying "Thank you."

Along the Road

These are far from awesome photo's.  Taking photo's of barns is a huge challenge for me and something I really struggle at to capture the texture of the building but yet keep the exposure correct.  Here is my latest fail at just that, along Highway 79, south of Rapid.

Two different buildings, but also two totally different angels to the sun totally changed how the colors exposed.  So much to learn in this craft!

Sunset Bikes

I've been working on a little photo project for several weeks in conjunction with a project for a photo group I am part of.  (I referenced this idea/project a couple posts ago.)  Well, after several different evenings with my Harley reflecting the sunset with the flag, I have several I'm happy with.  Some I like better than others, but in my humble opinion, these are the cream of the crop.  Some are converted to black and white for the photo group project, some were just experiments in different camera angles, cropping and straightening.  

I hope you enjoy!