The 1880 Train

what a ride. It was interesting this summer to be able to ride the train and also take some pictures of it coming round the bend. I should state I never realized how loud a train whistle was until you try and stand 15 feet away from it. I did not stand there for that long and yes, I did miss some pictures.

The train runs from Hill City SD to Keystone SD round trip takes about two hours. There were numerous crossings along the train route, so we had our choice of places to shoot the train. We settled on two different crossings. Here are some of those photos.

After taking pictures of the train from the roadside we decided to take the train. We left from Hill City. I do love my chair especially when it lets me ride around and take pictures I would not have taken before. I decided to run around the station at Hill City. I was able to catch them topping off the steam and blowing off some steam.

The train is ADA accessible with a lift and there is room for 2 wheelchairs or scooters for each trip. We decided to take the earliest train to both beat the heat and the crowds. That was a smart move on our part, because on the return trip from Keystone to Hill City the train was filling up. On the trip to Keystone Roy sat on the left side of the train and I was on the right side we switched sides for the return trip. I saw no animals on my side of the train on the way to Keystone. I was however able to catch some smoke in the air when they blew the whistle at a crossing.

Speaking of blowing the whistle; they use morse code to warn people when the train is coming to a crossing. the Morse Code is for the letter “Q”. (And indeed, it is dah-dah-dit-dah.) He went on to say he was told that British ships in the late 1800s blew long-long-short-long on the ship’s horn—the letter “Q”—as a way of letting other maritime traffic know that Queen Victoria was on board and to yield the right of way. So, we are all royalty. That was what our conductor told us. (He wouldn’t lie.) I digress.

At Keystone the train has to disconnect and hook up to the back of the train. There is no turn table to turn the engine around. So, on the way back to Hill City the back end of the train is out front. I was able to get off the train and take a few pictures of the train engine passing me.

On the way back to Hill City I saw a deer who got spooked when the train blew the whistle his head popped up and I missed the shot. I was however able to capture little boy blue fishing. The garage is actually between two boulders makes for interesting walls. We also passed the remains of an old mine building.

I’m glad Roy and I took the train it gave me a different perspective on the landscape.

1880 Train caught on camera

Here is another example of a shot you have planned out in your head that isn’t quite the reality of it. This is what happened the day we went to Keystone SD to photograph the train coming into the depot from Hill City. This train is run by Black Hills Central Railroad (interesting read) The 1880 train ride is 2 hours, and is a 20 mile round trip. There is also a 15 minute layover in Keystone. So, I had the plan to set up the tripod and get into position to snap away when it arrived. Roy, who always has a better eye for composition looked at my idea and said there has to be a better place. I am so glad I listened to him. We found a road that runs along side the railroad tracks and there was pullout right along a curve in the tracks, perfect.

So, I started to get my chair out and set up my camera by taking some pictures of just the curve and tracks to get exposure and composition. Right about then this car pulls up and I thought he might block my view. I think if he had done this I would have said something. He did just want to get a picture of his friend that was on the train. I am getting pretty good at waiting because that was the next step.

It wasn’t a long wait though as I heard the whisle and saw it coming round the bend. I did learn from looking at the photos I needed to switch from portrait to landscape when the train was getting closer. As I said we are here for 3 months, will be visiting this stop again. I was also proud of myself for not driving away when the train whistle blew. I think I was concentrating on just getting the shot.

I went back to the car for a rest before it was time to set up for the return shots. So I get my composition and exposure correct and wait again.

Once the train emerged and went over the bridge I started snapping away. That was until he blew his whistle over and over. I stopped shooting because I got scared. It was cute me trying to drive my chair as fast as I could away from the train. I did get a few good photos of the steam coming out of the train. After Roy saw the train he agreed to take a ride on it. So some of the next train pictures will be looking out of the train.

After my heart stopped racing we went back to Keystone for some shopping which resulted in a hot fudge sundae for Roy and mint chocolate ice cream for me. I think I’m getting to picky or I already have too many clothes. The funny thing about shopping in Keystone was the boardwalk and the fact that the one store I wanted to go in had a step I couldn’t get over. It saved us some money though. I also picked up a helicopter tour rate sheet I might be able to handle a 6 minute flight. We are here for 3 months. I do know if I did Roy would have to come with.

Our first stop for the day was at Dahl’s chainsaw art, so I could take pictures of big foot while the light was right. Then we went to the train pictures. The Dahl’s have two stores one in Keystone and the other in Hill City. Now the one in Hill City boasts the tallest smoky the bear. Keystone has the biggest big foot. I had to take a few pictures of this for my brother Dale. He is always searching for Big Foot. Well I found him. I was amazed at all the things that can be carved from a piece of wood. One of the carvers where kind enough to allow me to film him working.

hard at work

Keystone is more then just a train depot and shops. The town also is host to Big Thunder Gold Mine . It is also home to the Carrie Ingalls Collection the youngest Ingalls sister. I will check that out soon. Keystone is also where you can see every President of the US in one place, they are of course in wax at The National Presidental Wax Museum.

All in all Keystone is a great place to visit on the way to Mount Rushmore. I did forget to mention the best part of Keystone is that is where our favorite restraurant is the Powder House. We stopped there for lunch and had a small world experience. The waitress we had was the same waitress we had in 2021. It was funny when we got seated she looked at our table and said I know them from somewhere. Roy told her as we were leaving that ‘I’ll be back’ in the Terminator accent and she looked dumbfounded. Come to find out she wasn’t even born when Terminator was in the movie theater. Boy, do I feel old.

Fly Away Home

Both the sandhill cranes and Roy and I are doing just that. Tonight, (Aug 31) is our last night in Fairbanks we head down the Parks Hwy and eventually to Whittier and the ferry. The cranes migrate every year and they congregate at Creamer’s Field in Fairbanks before flying south. It was neat watching Canadian Geese and Sandhill Cranes sit side by side each getting fat for the trip south.

The third weekend of August is the Tanana Valley Sandhill Crane Festival. This was our first weekend in Fairbanks, so we headed over to see what was flying overhead. We also went over to the field a few times before the festival to take some pictures of the cranes.

Here are a few pictures of the cranes just hanging out and flying about.

I was in one of the photo blinds waiting for the birds to come to me. It took a bit of time, but they moved slowly towards me with cute little movements and even some one-legged posing.

The birds seemed to be happy just to hang out and fly every once in a while.

That is until the bald eagle comes around looking for dinner. This got the birds to fly up all at once. I really need to work on tracking these birds when they take off En masse. I also think they need to give me an alert saying we are taking off. They do make an alert with a vocalization I just am not sure what that is.

Another Episode of …..

People you meet. I have been craving WISCONSIN cheese curds for a few months who would have thunk I would have to come to Alaska to get some. You know with me there is always a back story to how I get the things I get. Here it is.

Having the chair, I was able to run rampant, at the air show. (I see new wheels in my future.) I’m headed down the flight line and I see a booth selling real Wisconsin Cheese curds. (You can find them on Facebook.) I’m from there so I had to investigate. Danielle was cute and very helpful. I asked were they for real and why here in Alaska. She explained that her SO had moved up to Sterling Alaska and she followed with cheese curds in tow. I guess there was no good cheese in Alaska. That is how it started and now they do local events and serve deep fried cheese curds. I put on my sad face because deep fried cheese curds are not the same. Danielle said that they only bring frozen cheese curds to big events for sale purposes, they do have fresh curds at the Soldotna Wednesday markets. So, I get all sad and say that’s ok. After some more banter about cheese curds. I was able to get a little more than a pound of frozen cheese curds. They have thawed and I am now squeaking to my heart’s content

CHEESE

Today started with Roy and I meeting one of the campers in the park we are staying at (Three Bears, Trapper Creek AK). Roy had helped them when they had checked in with some questions about the area. We got to talking and gave them some ideas on what to do in Fairbanks because that is the next place they will be. The woman kept calling us her ‘Angels of Life’.

Being a chair user and having MS you just know things. That is what happened today. We stopped at Alaska Birch Syrup and Wild Harvest Products on are way to Talkeetna. The shop is cute with lots of free samples. I’m in the store and I look over and see a woman with a walker, (she has that MS stance). I didn’t want to go up to her and ask how long she has had MS because that is strange. Long story short. We did start talking and I said something like I’m not drunk it’s MS. She goes I have MS very small world. We traded the dates of our diagnosis and how we were getting along. It was something I think I needed today to help me realize I’m not the only one. They leave and I make my purchases and leave. So off to Talkeetna we head. The town has a cat for the mayor, so it has to be cool.

We find a parking spot (which was hard to find), I see that there are ramps into some of the stores. I have been so good this trip about shopping. I fell off the wagon I had to go shopping. So back in the chair, paved bike/people lane and I was good to go. Driving up and down the street who do I see, but my MS buddy. So, we chatted some more and enjoyed each other company. She also has just started using a chair and agrees with me it is bittersweet. You get a little more freedom to go more places, but it is with the need of some motorized device. You lose some freedom to do it yourself.

Today was also a day of just talking to people. (I knew I should have written his name down) At the end of the street there are tents set up flea market style, I see a photography tent. I make an effort to talk to photographers who sell their work, either to get some pointers or let them know I enjoy their work. We sat and talked about why photos sell, what photo sells. Inspiration. I was able to share one of my baby birds phots from Ninilchik. That is when he brought up getting a little burned out because he seems to sell the same photos over and over. So, he had been itching for photo field trip. Although, he said he doesn’t like to shoot in the summer. He just does not like the colors plus he sells his works to tourists. He did say he might have to go down and see for himself. He thanked me for stopping in and talking to him, this made part of my day.

Just on a side note those ramps that looked handicap accessible were not all that accessible. I will give them an E for effort. I do have to say the one store I stopped at that had a ramp but had a lip my chair would not get over to get in the store the owner was very helpful in bringing the things to me.

Every once in a while, you have to take the day and just meet people. Slow down and reflect. See how they touch you and how you touch them.

Thunderbirds Fly High

We were at the Artic Thunder Air Show at JBER (Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson) on Sunday July 31st. I am going through the pictures, and I have to share this slideshow of the Thunderbirds. They were the closing act. I did not know that they are an elite flying group rich with history. I will say that my camera work was a little shaky. The action was so fast and everywhere.

From start to finish the whole experience was choreographed down to the landing. We were not close enough to see the precision routine of getting into the plane. I was a tad bummed until they started the performance, and we were front row center.

I Almost Caught IT…

on camera. It is one of the things I have always wanted to capture, two eagles locking talons and falling through the sky. I’ve only seen this once and was not quick enough with my camera. There is such a wonder about how such a large bird can twist and turn while connected to another. Here is the photo I captured. This was taken with my long lens, and I cropped in quite a bit.

This happened on one of those trips when Roy said ‘you don’t know, if you don’t go’. We had just finished a fresh fish taco dinner, caught by Tom who we had met on the ferry. I need to mention the side of mosquitos were interesting. (I have a thermacell lantern that is making the trip with us next time.) I don’t brag or recommend a product but this one does work. Ok done with infomercial. The tacos weren’t any fish they were halibut smooth tasting fish not bad for someone who only sees from one side of its body. Tom’s place was cool because we ate in the garage which was two shipping containers and a truck trailer for walls. Just interesting and only in Alaska. So, after dinner we decided to visit my second favorite eagle spot. (First one is church and babies).

The spot where I took these photos from is what by a cliff this is where in the afternoon the eagles can catch the wind. Here is a page explaining how they catch the wind. This is also a spot where juveniles fake fight or sometimes real fight. Here are some of the pictures I took that night. I am hoping I get that opportunity to capture it this trip.

More eagle babies on the horizon.

50-Yard Line …

much better view for Sunday at the rodeo. I did say Roy got the seating chart right the second time. The rodeo started at 2pm so we got there a little early to grab the perfect seat. I was just going to just switch places with where Roy was yesterday. We get there and he decides that the corner might be a better place. I tried to enter one way no go to narrow. So, let’s take a trip in front of the bleachers that is also a no go. In fact, this is where I got stuck in a rut. My crazy bull rider from the other day came to my rescue. I call him crazy because I showed him his pictures and yes, he said those are cool. After we all decided I can’t get there we settled for the left side of the gate. That my friends ‘was the 50-yard line’. I did not know then how perfect it was. I saw everything from the calf wrestling to the break-away roping from a different angle. Roy was also able to put a few loving on some of the horses that were standing next to and behind him at the arena gate.

I even shot a few photos of the ones he was loving on, so I have evidence.

Instead of barrel racing today was pole bending. We did see a few perfect runs and yes, we did also see a few tipped over poles. The set up for this event is interesting and can be found here.

Today there was more breakaway roping was also on the schedule today. Here is a short video from one of the riders

rope the little one

Also on the agenda they had a similar event to the roping but instead of roping the calf you have to put a mark on its shoulder using mustard and a tennis ball here’s a pic of it.

I do think this is called wrangling but I like calf wrestling. I do have to say she gave it her all and lost.

calf 1 cowpoke 0

We were again treated to some trick riding this time I was a little further from the rail, so no flying gravel.

The spectators had fun also my seat for the 3legged race placed me right in front of the winners. I felt like they were heading straight towards me.

You got this

The kids also got in on the action except they did not have to grab anything off the bull, it was a calf.

don’t run away

Like in good rodeo you have to have some drama when it comes to bull riding. Saturday was Kayden. Sunday was angry bull. The bull dumped his rider early and decided he was not going back in the holding pen. You could tell something was up as he was not liking being sat on just overall angry bull. The rodeo non clown tried to face off and stare him down that did not work. They finally had to release another bull to distract the bull who would not behave. Once distracted they were able to catch him.

I will admit shooting action shots is a tad challenging to me. I am glad I’ve spent some time here tracking eagles with my camera it is the same techniques.

All in all, it was a good 4th and Roy enjoyed another small-town traditional holiday.

Here’s a slide show from day 2.

At the Rodeo had a front row seat

sometimes a little too front row. I will explain more on that a little later. I will also explain why I need a 4-wheel drive chair. I did get stuck once or twice or maybe three times. People are so nice when they are helping dig out a chair stuck in the dirt. I have to say the grounds were fairly wheelchair accessible until you get to the area leading up to the handicap ramp for the bleachers. This is where I got stuck. (Not hard packed at all.) We were able to get up on the bleachers and caught a few of the Junior Rodeo before the main event. (We did miss the beach races. You can see the video on their Ninilchik Rodeo Facebook Page.)

The Junior Rodeo did need to be captured from the bleachers as it was using a smaller part of the arena. I was watching these young say under 5 years old children being led around the barrels by adults. My thought was what a great way to introduce your child to the rodeo. I think it was fun for both parties involved. I watched a little more than figured it was time to eat dinner. This is where I got stuck again and also when Roy and I decided both of us need to find better seats.

Off we go to find better seats before the main event starts, with a stop over for dinner at the snack shack. This is a place I did not mind paying $23 for 2 cheeseburgers considering one was a meal. (It went to support the local youth.) Back to the seating situation there was a small set of bleachers inside the contestant area on fairly level ground, so we pulled up there, it turned out to be an awesome seat for the action. (Right at eye level.)

It wasn’t quite the 50-yard line but it was to the right of one of the entry gates to the arena.

Day 1 had some action from bulls to bull horns. Here’s some highlights

Calf Riding
Bull Riding
3-legged Race
Trick Riding
Barrel Racing
$100 the Hardway

Three big takeaways from day 1 included: 1. being glad I can’t run. 2. you have to be a little crazy to ride a bull. 3. don’t sit too close to the rail when trick riding is involved.

Why am I glad I can’t run? I will explain. The $100 the hard way involves a bull, an envelope taped to the bull’s horns, and a stampede of grown men. Check out the two videos. (spoiler alert: the bull got away with the money.) They repeated this on Sunday.

The Rules

The Stampede

Why do you have to be a little crazy to be a bull rider. In case you get thrown from the bull pinned underneath and then when you see the photos, say that was cool. This happened on Saturday to Kayden.

I was able to get his ride from start to finish. He did get up and walked away but that was a scary scene. I am very glad he was ok. I needed him to get me unstuck on Sunday but that is another story.

Saturday there seemed to be more rocks bouncing in the air and near me. I think it could have been where I was seated. The trick riders would come by kick up some stones I would flinch and lose a shot. (We did remedy this on Sunday). I was able to capture some shots.

We enjoyed the rodeo so much we came back on Sunday. Roy did get the seating chart right the second attempt on Sunday.

Enjoy the slide show below

Hometown Celebration

That is what I saw this weekend at the Ninilchik Rodeo. I’m pretty sure we will see more of the same at the American Legion fish fry on the 4th. I have to say it has been an amazing time on the Kenai. I will be doing a couple of posts on just the rodeo. We also visited the cemetery where the Legion placed American Flags on the grave sites.

So please enjoy the pictures