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Minnesota State Capitol Building

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MN State Capitol Building
MN State Capitol Building

This past week I joined the Minneapolis Photographic Society on a field trip in downtown Saint Paul.  The weather was threatening rain and it was quite windy, but a group of about 15-20 photographers braved the elements.  Earlier in the evening we stopped by the Capitol building, photographing it with a dull, gray sky.  The images were documentary, but nothing to draw a viewer into the photo.  As we waited and chatted, the skies got darker and eventually the lights on the building were lit, giving the image a delightful and beautiful glow.  Adding the bright petunias in the foreground gave the image some additional color and interest.  The Capitol Building was designed by local architect Cass Gilbert, and was opened in 1905.  It sits prominently overlooking the city of Saint Paul.

Biking across Kansas 2009

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BAK_Santa Fe marker_Staats553 miles, 8 days, heat, cold, sun, rain, wind — we had it all on the Biking Across Kansas ride that just finished last Saturday.  It was a great experience, and an adventure of the best kind.  800+ riders travelled from the Colorado border across southern Kansas to the Missouri border.  We stayed in small towns that rolled out the red carpet for this mass of hungry cyclists.  The wheat in western Kansas was golden and beautiful, and the Flint Hills of central Kansas were lush and green.  Wildflowers were in bloom throughout the state, benefiting from the abundance of rain in the past few months.  And I can attest to the fact that Kansas in NOT flat;  the rolling hills of the east side of the state gave us our toughest workout.  This was a perfect way to see and experience my home state.  Bicycling puts you directly into the landscape, and you meet the locals face-to-face.  Everyone (and I do mean everyone) was friendly, giving me a real taste of mid-western hospitality.  This was the 35th year for the BAK ride (www.bak.org), and I tip my helmet to the BAK committee.  The ride was wonderfully organized, the food was fabulous, and the entire experience was a great adventure!

Bicycling and photography

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It’s a countdown this week for a big bicycling ride that’s coming up.  We’re planning to do the 35th annual Bike Across Kansas (www.bak.org).  For someone who grew up in Kansas, there are so many parts of the state I’ve never seen or been to.   It’s strange, but I’ve explored more of my new-home state of Minnesota than I have of Kansas.  To help remedy this situation, last January we signed up to ride from the western edge of Kansas to the eastern edge — a distance of over 500 miles.  Of course, it was subzero temps and a foot of snow on the ground in January, and June seemed a long time away.  So we dreamed of sunny summer Kansas weather for about 3 months.  Once the snow melted in Minnesota we began our training in earnest.  It’s been a long time planning, but now we’re in the home stretch.  The ride begins on Saturday, June 6th in the west Kansas town of Syracuse,  and concludes 8 days later in Louisburg, at the Missouri border.  It will be a trip of great scenery, new friends, lots of pedaling, and lots of miles.  This trip will, however, be about bicycling and not about photography.  While I will have a camera with me, my main goal is to enjoy the countryside and the experience, and to not obsess about the perfect photographic opportunity and/or scene.  Check back to my blog in a couple of weeks for a report on the ride!

Eagle Scout award

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Parker 39559I traveled to the Kansas City area last week for family celebrations.  My nephew Parker graduated from high school and received his Eagle Scout award.  It was a festive and grand time — a time to celebrate all his many accomplishments and to marvel at the young man he has become.  He’s had the support of his parents, grandparents, family members, and the extended community where he has lived.  He’s experienced the many ups and downs of a child, a teenager, and a young adult.  And he’s made his aunt so very proud of him.  Congratulations, Parker — I look forward to seeing what accomplishments and adventures are in your future.

Fishing success

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crappies_staatsThe ice is out, spring has sprung, and fishing season has begun once again in Minnesota.  And this year I’ve joined the ranks of Minnesotans with a fishing license!  To be honest, the last time I was fishing was when I was about 13 years old.  But, like riding a bike, it’s something that comes back to you (along with some good coaching too!).   Paddling against wind gusts up to 30 mph and battling  the whitecaps, we put our canoe into Peltier Lake and proceeded to the calmer shore and threw in our fishing lines.  After awhile without any bites, we moved to where a small river enters the lake.  The water was pretty shallow, the sun was nearly ready to set, and the fish were biting!  Within about ten minutes we had caught 6 crappies!  Now that’s an exciting way to fish, and with that success I’m excited to try it again.  Yes, I know fishing isn’t always that rewarding, but it’s a delightful way to spend a warm evening outside.  (And the crappies were delicious the following night for dinner!)