A PSA Announcement

No, not a public service announcement it’s a Photography Society of America Announcement. Sadly the PSA festival in Rapid City is over but there is always next year in Colorado Springs, CO. I do need to recap this week. We couldn’t have asked for better weather (ok a few clouds would have been nice.) It did rain on Saturday but this was all good.

Not knowing what to expect I arrived a day earlier walker in tow. (glad I had this and glad for a wheelchair in Denver.) Monday morning was a day to pick up registration and head over to a good ole fashioned chuckwagon at Fort Hayes near Rapid City. If the name sounds familiar that is where Kevin Costner. … Lieutenant Dunbar received his orders. It is also home to a small set of shops. We were able to come early and walk around the ground and take pictures. I just felt like trying my hand at B/W because of all the old equipment it lends itself to being shot that way.

I thought the show might be a tad hokey this is why Roy and did not do it this summer, he did not want to have me sit through it twice. It WAS NOT hokey, nothing is hokey when Elvis is involved. Yes, I was swooned by Elvis. I became fifty shades of red. Having my walker and using it as my chair I was seated on a corner. Elvis got off stage and came to me, I was able to compose myself to at least play with his red scarf. That alone was worth the price of admission.

It was a good dinner we had smashed potatoes, beans served upside down (gave us just the burps), chicken or beef, and desert. After all the food was gone it was time to get down to the show. As you can tell the crowd was excited. Other then Elvis we had MC Hammer, Willie Nelson, and others. I was impressed by some great fiddle playing from Tommy in Georgia. Here’s a photo of part of the band.

So the week started out with a good meal and some embarrassment but that is the point of going on an adventure.

I was insecure about travelling and not knowing anyone so I asked a friend if she knew anyone who was going she said she could think of one but they might be very busy. Well, on Monday I was rolling through the hotel had not met many people yet so I decide to explore. Ok I was getting curious who else was attending. I walk by an open room door and see that there was a kitchen inside. So what do I do. I ask how do you rate I don’t have a kitchen, and other banter. We get around to introducing each other I say I’m Darcy. The response back was your Darcy. My thought was I didn’t do it, wasn’t me. Turns out that was JR the person who was supposed to find me. I think it was great that it all came together over an open door, and a friend who could not come. I also met Lisa (JR’s wife) and John and Kimber (more on them later).

This was my first time attending and I met so many friendly and amazing people. Wonderful how a common interest can bring people together from all over. I did the train, a sunrise in the Badlands, and Mount Rushmore. Each of these adventures is owed a story, here is a taste of the photos I took.

I Spent WHAT?

$45 in a candy store, yes you read that right. I was buying fudge for a friend though, that is my story. This place has everything from lemon drops to a bunch of black licorice. The Sweet Palace is in the town Phillipsburg, MT the town itself is the cutest town I’ve been in since I was a kid. This was another early start day for us as we wanted to drive from Drummond to Anaconda MT as this was a suggested day drive in one of the books. At this time I am still holding out hope for animals Custer State Park spoiled me. On the way to Anaconda I see something sitting on the fence post it turned out to be a red-tailed hawk having breakfast. So I got a treat and was able to take the time to photograph it. He finally flew away and we headed to Phillipsburg.

Well it was suggested I stop at the Palace so that was on the schedule. I first started out at the Police Museum. Inside was old time dispatch equipment, a cell taken from a jail that used to be a brig on a navel ship. Recycling at its best. Original court transcripts, cameras used in crime scene investigations. A cross that was made from 911 metal was an object that touched me.

After playing tacky tourist we were ready for second breakfast because we saw a sign that said homemade pasties. Of course we had to try. A pastie is like a small calzone filled with sausage and egg and covered in gravy. It is always good to eat where locals eat.

With full bellys I decided to go shopping I’m glad I brought both my walker and my cooling vest I have used both this trip. Start at one end of town and walk down one side of the street and back up the other side of the street. The town’s shopping district was only 4 blocks. The stores featured local artists and made in the USA. I was able to pick up some interesting trinkets. I also checked out some t-shirt shops but picked up no t-shirts (I know shocking). On to the candy shop but not so fast, I had to stop in a sapphire shop called the Sapphire Gallery. This is where you can look for sapphires in gravel. We will see how successful we are at are October rally, I bought 3 bags of gravel. I spent a total of 4 hours in this town just exploring. I think I might have been in the candy store for at least an hour.

After getting a sugar rush we set off on a ghost town adventure. The first and only stop was the remnants of Kirkville. Here we found old buildings and some newer buildings not sure if there is any current mining going on. I did get a treat it involved a badger, the only badger I ever encountered was the University of Wisconsin football mascot. He was just hanging out in a rock enclave.

We encounter some old buildings that were worth a few landscape pictures.

After exploring we went back into town and I decided to do the local museum, well worth the $5 admission. I got bold and even went down in the basement to explore some of the old relics on display.

We spent so much time exploring this area that we had to make another trip to the prison and auto museum the next day which was enjoyable in itself. I was able to get Roy’s scooter out that is a story on it own.

In Search of

animals, birds and maybe a unicorn. Yes unicorns do exist, I have photographic prove but more on that later. After getting directions from a friend (thank you Stephanie) with the hope of seeing animals we were off early in the am headed toward Recreation Road north of Helena. The road runs along the Missouri River and I-15 and a train track. We saw one deer and a very cute squirrel even though he would not give me a good position to photograph I’m ok with it. I went to change my position and he was gone. Today was mainly focused on birds because we were near the water the whole way. The first group of birds we came across were white pelicans very plump white pelicans. They have plenty of food here. I took some time zooming in and out on this line of pelicans who were just hanging out.

We did pass a bar and quite a few fishing spots, it was in one of these I was able to get a few pictures of an osprey who was hunting down dinner. I am also learning how to make sure my camera settings match what I am trying to shoot. Sometimes I’m finding out you have to be ready for anything. Later in the day I was not prepared to shoot the golden eagle who appeared on scene when I was getting ready to shoot some rafters. So yes the golden eagle is still on my bucket list. One day I know it will happen. I am jumping way ahead so back to the osprey.

This pull out had 2 pelicans just hanging out so I thought you can’t have too many pelican photos. I was pleasantly surprised to see this osprey soaring and diving. I actually had to take the time to focus and realize what I was seeing. In my opinion the osprey always seems to have this determined look on their faces when they fly and hunt. It is also real calming for me to watch how graceful these birds are.

He finally flew down river and I was able to turn my direction back to the two pelicans.

They were just standing on two rocks chilling. In fact if you look closely you can see the osprey in front of the two pelicans. They were hanging around although starting to get upset with what was coming up the river.

It just happened to be a boat with two fishermen in it. The boat did slow down so as not to totally scare them away.

So after my subjects flew the coop we headed down the road to the Hardy bridge which is near the end of Recreation road. I did get out and take a few landscape pictures of the bridge just for practice.

So after the bridge we turned around and head back home the same way we came. Why do we do this, because you never know what you will see. You might just see a unicorn. We pass an area where there are a bunch of rafts getting ready to launch down the river and there it was the unicorn. We had an advantage of no schedule so we could do a u-turn and park, wait and take pictures. This is exactly what I did. I set my camera for not involving fast action so I would be ready for pictures. The kicker to this one is this is when I saw the golden eagle and a bald eagle. I snapped away just hoping I might of caught one. (I just wasn’t fast enough to change settings).

I am sharing the pictures and letting them tell the story. The second group with the unicorn asked if I was with them I said no just stumbled on the craziness. Speaking of the craziness the water fight between two boats was hilarious.

My goal for this week before we leave is to bring a chair find a spot and hope to catch a golden eagle playing on the river. I did have fun capturing the unicorn though.

My name is not Micah

That is what I thought this little boy’s name was and whose family was nice enough to stand and look at Mount Rushmore while I took photos. His name was Rust but more on that in a bit. (I promise I have taken photos.) Staying in one place we have put on 500 miles just driving around the park taking photos and getting stopped by buffalo. But I digress.

This a.m. Thursday the 17th of June we planned to get up early and head to the Iron Mountain Road that leads to Mount Rushmore. This road has three one lane tunnels that perfectly frame the mountain, as many of you know this was my goal to get the perfect framed shot of Mount Rushmore. So we are driving up the road and off to the side on a hill we see 3 very large male buffalo, these guys know how to disappear, when calves are around.

Upon arrival I set up my camera and tripod then proceeded into the middle of the road. Catching good light we were there at 8:30 am Roy got up and we got going before 7am. (I promised him biscuits and gravy from a restaurant we ate at 10 years ago.) This trip I have been practicing making adjustment s to my exposure settings by using the f/stop more then anything. I try different positions and settings trying to get the perfect light. One other thing I am learning is patience, I still want to get a few shots and leave. If you do that then everything changes from leaving early. This proved true today. Enter Micah I mean Rust.

This family with 2 young children pulled up behind where Roy was parked, and looked a little worried that they might be blocking us because I was moving my camera I said no just taking pictures. They proceed through the tunnel to get a better view and I get an idea. I get the shot all set up and ready to click away they then move. I did ask them to stop move a tad and turn around, I was happy they did. They walk back and I show them the pictures and the little boy has a handful of Mica so I said ok thinking that was his name. He then walks away to find more and comes back to give me a tiny piece. I then find out that his name was Rust. It is amazing how people come into your life. The boy is into gems and fossils so I suggested them go to “The Museum at Black Hills Institute” in Hill City. I gave them my blog info and will be posting their picture. Later in the morning I was able to catch another family gazing at Mount Rushmore. I think the trip to the tunnel was a success.

We head back towards camp to grab an early lunch about 11am we arrive at ‘Wolf Camp’ This is a restaurant that we discovered the first time we came through Custer State Park in 2013. It has changed a bit from just being a roadside stand now it has a campground and the restaurant. I like the hours 8 am at the earliest to open 10 am at the latest to open. It was funny we found the restaurant the first time by accident and the second time by pure luck we were taking a short cut to get to Iron Mountain Road. (It was right where I thought it was) I said it was at a place where the road went off to the right if you were coming from Mount Rushmore it was on the left. I just didn’t know where. From here I did a little shopping stopped at one of the welcome centers then set off for buffalo.

We found buffalo alright we were part of a train. It was something that has never happened in all of our travels the herd was moving down the road in front of us. There had to be 200 head moving up the hill on the road, took us 45 minutes. So to get out of traffic after the herd moved on we took a dirt road that the visitor center said buffalo had also been spotted being we got lucky again. The wildlife loop drive today was to go in search of the burros and feed them, which we did find in the perfect spot. I did not feed them though I was able to enjoy a mother nursing her foal.

Then tonight we topped off with an outdoor play called the Marvelous Wonderlettes. The musical was held at the Blackhills Playhouse on an outdoor stage. It featured music from 1948 and 1958. The best part of the musical was this was the dress rehearsal and it was give what you can tickets. It being a musical the sponsors’ ads were even sung. This was a perfect ending to a photastic day.

OMG

Sorry if I have used the title before but it applies to this stay in so many ways. Today is our third full day and we have not explored the whole park yet. I will list the ways that OMG applies and try to explain them one at a time. Just to give an overview….. The skies are amazing – The views are something to write home about – The animal behavior is interesting – Staying in one place for a time is enjoyable.

The skies are amazing – from the first night we got to Custer State Park it treated us to a thunder and lightening show. It was strange and reminiscent of my childhood all the way down to sitting on an aluminum bench when it was lightening. At least I wasn’t talking on the phone (only some of us will get that 🙂 ) We sat outside for a good half hour before rain chased us inside. I was ok with not getting the Milky Way shot that night. The sky is dark enough to really see the Milky Way. On top of everything up here they have things called clouds.
The views are something to write home about – I think this park offers the best of all views for any interest. I say this because if you are looking for rocky vistas you have Black Elk Peak. Water you have quite a few lakes to swim in, these even make great reflection pictures. The flowing rolling hills are just so interesting because every where you look you see green rolling vastness.
The animal behavior is interesting – June 12th we were out exploring Prairie Dog Town (no there is not a coffee shop here). I know someone has been feeding these critters. I say this because one of them recognized the shape of a car and made it’s way up to the side of our car. I do know why they are called dogs, this little one gave me the sweetest puppy dog eyes. It was like feed me or maybe take me home. We were also able to see a large herd of buffalo cross the road ( I will post a video of the biggest grand dad I have ever seen). It was so cool how the adults would nudge the babies to get moving when they slowed down to dwadle.
Staying in one place for a time is enjoyable – The fact that you get to explore roads you would not have time for if you stayed a day or two is worth it. Traveling the same road different times of the day you never see the same thing twice. Example coming back from shooting the Milky Way on the 12th we were treated to three young elk standing on the side of the road. One was a small buck with two young doe. We watched them nibble on grass until they were aware we were watching. You could tell their senses changed when we were found out. Once we started to inch forward in the car they turned away and trotted off.

I just want to let everyone know, I have sorta fallen off the grid. The internet is spotty so makes uploads difficult. I am working on putting together the photos that do go with the many adventures I am sharing. I also am on a never ending learning/remembering curve. I thought I was recording a movie but I missed a step (my bad).

We found Beaver

So today was day two, 6/6/21. We are enjoying cool breezes and open windows, the last two days were brutal in the heat department. Over 100 degrees, Beaver Utah is about 80 and the nice part of this is it should get a tad cooler. Every trip requires a mascot and ours is (wood) Chuck a stuffed Beaver. I will be posting his photo bombs in the future.

The drive up today was interesting, a lot of traffic going from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City Utah. Las Vegas is open for business, full capacity the employees were fully masked but the crowds were about 1/3 masked. The place itself was also extremely busy. We were able to have dinner at the Angry Butcher with a friend.

So far not many wild animals, did see some wild horses and a few ravens just above St. George Utah. The ravens were just dotting the skies. The landscapes though have become covered with solar panels which to the naked eye look like lakes. The night sky is dark which is amazing to be away from light pollution.

On a side note we (Roy and I) are still doing daily short video clips on every subject. At the rally in October we will show the DVD.

It’s TIME

Yes, summer 2021 is here and we will be off like a herd of turtles. We have five days of one night stands and then we are onto Custer State Park for a month. I really hope to capture Mount Rushmore in all it’s glory. There will be lots of night photography and I hope to capture some animals along the way.

I am posting pictures of May’s full moon. It was extremely cloudy and due to some issues these were taken from our patio. Enjoy.

Can’t wait to hit the road.

Most Memorable Photography Experience

I was given a challenge from my friend Lisa Langell, to post a picture and story of my most memorable photo experience. By far my trip to Alaska with her for my 50th birthday year hoThe whole trip was memorable as you know from reading my blogs. This Orca picture is the one that is the crème for my memories.

I have always been fascinated with killer whales; I had to see one in the wild.

Back story about me and what led up to this picture. I had a small mid-life crisis and in 2007 I joined the Army (what was I thinking). I served until 2009 because in 2008 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Those who know about the disease know it affects balance as one of the symptoms. (Keep this in mind for later).

In 2016 Roy and I decided we wanted to go to Alaska and drive there. We purchased an A-frame trailer to do this in. On one of the shake down cruises to prepare for the trip we attended a rally with other a-framers, this is where Lisa Langell enters the picture. Camped next to her we get talking and I find out she is a photograph, she loves Alaska and she does workshops in Alaska. (Add to bucket list).

Fast forward 2 years to 2018, I’m now 50 and have been dealing with MS for 10 years. I made it and wasn’t in a wheel chair which is another thing that can happen if you have MS. I was celebrating because a doctor once mentioned that if you are not in a chair by 50 its likely MS will not put you there. I am starting to show some signs that I’m not all ok when it comes to balance issues, I look like I’ve had one too many some times. So the perfect storm came together I had a husband who loved me, a friend who did workshops in Alaska, not in a wheelchair and turning 50.

The picture of the orca is just the fin, I have a few others from that day but seeing them in living color was the best part the photo was a plus. We were on a boat outside of Seward Alaska on Resurrection Bay not a calm body of water. I mentioned that my balance was off because of MS I came to a realization because of this, I think when I am on dry land I feel a little like I’m on a boat. So my brain tried to over compensate for the motion of the ocean (this did not bode well). The end of the day the brain lost that battle and seasickness won.

Picture the fact that my bucket list involves seeing orcas, the mind and body was saying it’s today or never again because boats and me are not a good match. I keep pestering Lisa asking are we going to see one, I need to see, she made no promises.

Well what to my watering eyes I think I see an orca pod. The boat slowed and I gingerly made it up to the bow of the boat. Once there the other people in our small group made room for me, to squeeze in even though I was turning green. This was an amazing site and the orcas were so close we had a baby breach right next to the boat. (I don’t think anyone got a picture.) We are bobbing in the water which is not going to work for me. I am getting ready to head back to the stern when, the fin appeared right in front of me. I snapped the photo and immediately headed back to the stern to embrace a pail and begin the dry heaves.

The whole trip was memorable and I’ve taken other pictures that are also memorable. This picture taught me a few things

Never give up
Take time to enjoy the scene and not worry about the pictures
Stay off boats.

Our First Trip!!

If you ever get a chance to stay at Morro Bay SP in California jump at it. Where can you stay in the woods and only be a few steps from the beach. On this trip I saw zebras, cows, bald eagles, and elephant (seals)!

t1morro4-horz The trip was designed to shake out the camper instead look what I shook out!

I hadn’t been camping since I was a kid, I do believe this is going to be fun. Roy and I spent three days here enjoying the seagulls, whale watching and eating good sea food. We had the chance to make sure the trailer was water proof it rained the first night. I was also able to beat Roy in cribbage at least once.

A few things we decided were needed after this trip. A single serve coffee maker, not to over pack on the food, get a heater. We are both looking forward to many more adventures. t1morro2