Pack It Up

Finally getting a post uploaded. Been busy with a big move and all kinds of fun.

After about 25 years, relocating to try a new location. Due to changing job situations, and helping out with some family needs back home. So headed from the mountain west to the prairie.

There were several ways I could have moved. Several different vehicles I could have used. But ended up going with the big Orange Uhaul. The BIG one.

And a tow dolly for my little car. Plus I recruited my little brother to come down, drive my little pickup back as well. And help with packing and unpacking, of course.

Trip went fine. It was a LONG day. Weather had been pretty warm, being mid August no big surprise. But moving day was cooler with a lot of clouds, and some showers all day. For the ~600 mile trip. 

Saw a lot of this. The trip took all day but we made it fine. Started unloading the next day. Used a little over $200 worth of gas for the trip and the big V10. Next begins 'life in a northern town'.

Lots of things to do. And I don't even know if I'll be staying here. I'm here for now, but depending on what comes up next for me, I may be staying here. I may not. We'll have to wait and see, I'll update more on that when it happens! With more photos along the way...

Double Tramps

or, 2 hikes, 1 day.

Last ones for a while too.

Why? Well, due to the work and family changes this year, I'm relocating back north to Dakota country.

I usually like to go for hikes to a couple spots in the fall, getting some nice fall color photos. But this year I'm leaving in August. Won't be here for the fall colors. So I did a twofer - went to my two most favorite hiking areas in one day. Did some quick hiking and photo shooting to see them one last time.

Since it's August, everything is green. But hey, that's ok too. Was a pretty warm day overall, even though it was somewhat cloudy.

A shot from the top of a high rock I like to climb up on. Gives a nice view of the area. I'm probably 75 feet or so above the ground level. Nice, as long as its not too windy!

A rock spire and lots of trees along the trail. There were a lot of people out hiking on the loop trail today. Pretty green, but the little creek with waterfall was almost bone dry. Odd, as its been a pretty wet year.

Finished up here, moved on to my second hiking spot-

A final big 5 shot panorama. From the 'scenic overlook'. You can see the interstate and traffic in the distance on the center right. Was pretty breezy up here, but the clouds were breaking up at least.

What's that? A rock cairn I started building in a secret spot, years ago. Every year I go back, and rebuild it. Usually its a collapsed pile of rocks. I'm not sure if the weather is doing it, wildlife or somebody coming along and knocking it down. This year it was completely in pieces. Though a few times in the past it was pretty good. And once it was nearly intact! But I rebuilt it for what is likely the last time, for a long time. Someday I'll get back to check on it. And rebuild it again!

Can't fence in that wide open sky...

Done hiking, time to head out. Not nearly as many people hiking at this trail today. 

Nice to get one last visit in. Was hoping maybe one more moose sighting, but wasn't to be. Too bad I can't see the fall colors this year. But perhaps I'll get some for a post from the north country.

Coming up soon - the big white and orange truck...

War Birds

During the Annual Cowpoken Daze Festival (Not the actual name. But one I have used for years, for a variety of reasons), one of the only interesting events of the whole thing happens (in my opinion) -

The Air Show!

Headlining every year is the Air Force Thunderbirds. This year, for the first time in ages, I went to the Air Guard base to see the static (parked old planes) show, along with the Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds on the ground, ready to start the show. The actual air show WASN'T over us, for safety reasons since there's too many homes in the area. But we saw them flying around a lot as they did their routines.

The weather was very nice for it. Too many years we had clouds or stormy weather which greatly reduced what they could do.

It sure can be loud when that many F-16s go zooming over your head.

But just as interesting was the static air show. Some interesting and iconic older prop planes, many veterans of WWII.

P-51 Mustang, one of the most famous fighters from WWII. Probably one of the most recognizable planes from that era.

A F4U Corsair, another famous fighter plane, often used in the Pacific against the Japanese. Made more 'famous' by the 1970s TV show Black Sheep Squadron. I saw this plane as it flew in, but didn't get any good photos of it. A very good looking aircraft, IMHO.

A Grumman Avenger, a plane designed to drop either bombs or a single large torpedo.

This is a T-6 Texan, a trainer aircraft used to train military pilots before going off to war. This plane was also flying and putting on a few shows.

Doing lots and lots of loops.....

Something a little newer - an A10 Thunderbolt. Also known as a Warthog. Not the best looking plane, but very formidable on the battlefield.

It wasn't all war planes though. There were a number of stunt and private planes, and biplanes like this one-

This plane did several flight shows, including one with another smaller biplane.

A very good day, seeing a bunch of really well preserved old aircraft, along with the big Thunderbirds show. It stormed later in the day, but it held off long enough to give everyone a great day.

Surreality

July 4th. Independence Day! BBQs! Parades! Fireworks!

Actually it was kind of a strange day. Very warm and very humid. Kind of cloudy much of the time. Though it cleared off later, seemed like weather would be good for the night's big fireworks show.

Got my gear and went to the park. As I was getting closer, I could see big dark clouds coming. Lightning and thunder too. And I didn't bring a raincoat!

Biggest surprise was how deserted the park was. It's usually a big crowd of people waiting for the show. But with threatening weather and sprinkles I guess people went home early. Then it started really raining and thundering, lots of lightning. I got to a safer place to hide out. Was seriously thinking of calling it and going home. But waited it out.

Rain tapered off to light sprinkles 20 minutes later. I could hear cheering in the auditorium where they put on a music show. So I figured stick around, might get a show after all.

And we finally did!

 I decided to experiment a little this year. Everything was pretty much shot with me changing the focus during the couple second exposures. Usually in focus to getting out of focus. Got some interesting results overall.

Pretty colorful one here. I think this is one of my favorites from the night.

I think this one looks like a big green dandelion.

So the show ended. And I, along with the maybe 15 other people in the park headed out. It was very humid, still wet from the rain, and a bunch of lingering drifting smoke from the fireworks.

Just created a perfectly surreal environment to finish off the day.

High Voltage!

Took a little summer trip, to do some family stuff and other things as well.

Got an assortment of photos, most of which were not worth posting anything about.

But one night, we did have a pretty strong late night thunderstorm with lots of lightning.

I've never gotten many lightning photos, so though it was time to give it a try. I shot through a window from inside, and all my shots were handheld. But I picked out a couple I liked.

There were lots of lightning flashes, lighting up the clouds. This one captured a pretty good burst. No lightning bolts, but lots of light.

There it is! The best lightning bolt I got. And it was a nice dual fork shot. Almost symmetrical!

That's probably my best ever lightning bolt shot. I got a lot that night, but since I don't have a lightning trigger (that is something you can buy for a camera) and had to just keep shooting and hoping to catch one, its pretty random. I missed a few good ones, and had a ton of bad ones or plain black images to throw away. But glad I got at least one good shot.