Town Sign Project: Wapello County

September 20, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

A few months back I cruised around Wapello County harvesting their town signs. It was a good trip.

Here are some facts about Wapello County:
+ Population is 35,256. Making it the 20th most populous county in Iowa. Below Sioux County and above Marion County.
+ The largest town and county seat is Ottumwa.
+ Was formed on February 17, 1843.
+ Named for the Meskwaki Chief Wapello.
+ The “birthplace” of Iowa.
+ Site of the house in the background of Grant Wood’s painting “American Gothic”.
+ Major highways are: US-34, US-63, IA-16, IA-137, IA-149.
+ Adjacent counties are Mahaska, Keokuk, Jefferson, Davis, and Monroe.
+ Population peaked in 1950 at 47,397.

The Wapello Courthouse is kinda cool looking but the statue on the top is next level:

Wapello County Courthouse in Ottumwa, Iowa.

The Wapello County Freedom Rock is located in Ottumwa, Iowa.

With Wapello County conquered, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=STRONG

89 counties completed. 88.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Wapello County:

Ottumwa, Iowa
OTTUMWA
CITY OF BRIDGES
Population: 25,529 (+506)

Eddyville, Iowa – Also in Mahaska and Monroe Counties
Home of the Rockets
EDDYVILLE
SINCE 1840
Population: 970 (-54)

Eldon, Iowa
Welcome to ELDON
Home of the American Gothic House
Population: 783 (-144)

Agency, Iowa
Agency
Home of Chief Wapello
Population: 620 (-18)

Blakesburg, Iowa
Welcome To BLAKESBURG
Founded in 1854
Population: 274 (-22)

Kirkville, Iowa
WELCOME TO KIRKVILLE
EST. 1844
Population: 157 (-10)

Chillicothe, Iowa
WELCOME TO Chillicothe
Est. 1881
Population: 76 (-21)

I don’t know that there is really a bad town sign in the bunch. I would say the most disappointing is Eldon. When yo have something so iconic as the American Gothic house in your town, your really need to do better with your town sign.

As for the purple ribbon. Best in Show? I really like the Chillicothe sign, but it has to go to Agency.

Agency – Best in Show – Wapello County

There was only on alternate town sign in Wapello County:

Agency – alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clayton County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

Terril – Best in Show – Dickinson County
Best in Show – Dickinson County

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Fayette County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Wapello County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Washington County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Muscatine County.

Andy, Bill, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Naima, Sabas, Sarah Toot, Shannon, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 366 – PATHS

September 19, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

It was a long and a great day. Hopefully, PATHS was worth waiting for. You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, September 12, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

+ Sara Lockner – 1 week
+ Becky Parmelee – 1 week
+ Suzie Brannen – 3 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 4 weeks
+ Willy McAlpine – 4 weeks
+ Brandon Kahler – 5 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 7 weeks (2)
+ Sarah Toot – 8 weeks (2)
+ Sabas Hernandez – 10 weeks
+ Monica Jennings – 10 weeks
+ Angie DeWaard – 12 weeks (2)
+ Mary Green – 12 weeks (3)
+ Dawn Krause – 16 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 22 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 24 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 25 weeks
+ Teresa Kahler – 34 weeks (3)
+ Tamara Peterson – 34 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 34 weeks (2)
+ Michelle Haupt – 35 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 36 weeks
+ Andy Sharp – 37 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 38 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 42 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 43 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 45 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 48 weeks (3)

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:

Andy Sharp – 38 weeks

Andy Sharp

Sabas Hernandez – 11 weeks

Dawn Krause – 17 weeks

Joe Duff – 25 weeks

Kim Barker – 23 weeks

Teresa Kahler – 35 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Bill Wentworth – 39 weeks

Cathie Morton – 43 weeks

Carla Stensland – 35 weeks

Carla Stensland

Kio Dettman – 49 weeks

Kio Dettman

Linda Bennett

Mary Green – 13 weeks

Mary Green

Michelle Haupt – 36 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 46 weeks

Shannon Bardole-Foley

Tamara Peterson- 35 weeks

Sarah Toot – 9 weeks

Brandon Kahler – 6 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

Micky Augustin – 37 weeks

Angie DeWaard – 13 weeks

Logan Kahler – 26 weeks

Jesse Howard – 5 weeks

Elizabeth Nordeen – 44 weeks

Suzie Brannen – 4 weeks

Monica Jennings – 11 weeks

25 participants. Not a great week. But not a bad week.

A couple things to note. Logan hit the half a year club with his streak. Shannon set a new record for the picture submitted that was taken the farthest north. Her pictures were taken north of the Arctic Circle! I received pictures from Alaska, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Kansas. Many of those are assumptions.

It wasn’t all good news. Sara and Becky’s steaks went kaput at 1 week. Willy’s was shot down after 4 weeks.

But enough dwelling on the past. Time to look to the future. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future! This week’s theme:

SIGNS

SIGNS! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

But what is a SIGNS photo? Quite simply is is a photo of a SIGN(s) or of SIGNS. SIGNS. SIGNS. There are SIGNS everywhere. Messing up the scenery. Breaking my mind. Do this, don’t do that. Can’t you read the SIGN(s)?

But one thing you should definitely do is find an interesting SIGN(s) and photograph it in an interesting manner. Of course there is more than one definition of the term SIGNS.

While considering your possible subjects for your picture, meditate on the following quote:

The very contradictions in my life are in some ways signs of God’s mercy to me.
-Thomas Merton

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

RULES

The picture has to be taken between 12:01 PM today and 11 AM next Monday. This isn’t a curate your photos project. This is a get your butt off the couch (unless you are taking your picture from the couch) and take pictures challenge.

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of SIGNS in this place where I show many alarming signs next Monday.

WPC - Reminder

Week 367 Theme Reveal

September 19, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

I am out and about and on the open road. Nowhere near a computer. Not in any shape to put together a collection of submissions for PATHS. I’m on my own PATH(s) right now. Probably somewhere in southeast Iowa. Depending on how good of time I’m making. I might be in an old timey general store right now. Or maybe I’m looking at a historical marker. Admiring some new art or some old ruins. It is hard to say. One thing for sure is that I’m not near a computer and I’m not ready to put together a post of your submissions.

However, you should start working on your ideas for this week’s theme. But what is this week’s theme?

SIGNS

SIGNS! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

But one thing you should definitely do is find an interesting SIGN(s) and photograph it in an interesting manner. Of course there is more than one definition of the term SIGNS.

While considering your possible subjects for your picture, meditate on the following quote:

The very contradictions in my life are in some ways signs of God’s mercy to me.
-Thomas Merton

I look forward to seeing your interpretation.

I will post the submissions for PATHS later today, depending on when I get home. Sometime late in the evening.

Alexis, Anela, Formal Portrait, Kanoa, Kupono

Baugher Family 2022 – Volume 2

September 18, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

It is time for another formal portrait Sunday. Once again we will check-in with the Baugher Family Photo Shoot of 2022.

Still one more collection of pictures from this photo shoot left to share. Next Formal Portrait Sunday we will check-in again on one of Jayton’s Senior Picture Photo Shoots.

Art, Christianity, Railroad, Road Trip, Ruins

Mitchell and Floyd Aux – Vol. 2

September 17, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Time for another collection of images from my road trip to Mitchell and Floyd County back in April. Most of the pictures were taken in Mitchell County.

Saint Ansgar

Mona

Toeterville

Stacyville

Meyer

McIntire

Riceville

New Haven

Osage

I really liked Osage. It is a town I would like to explore again in the future. It goes on the list! One more collection from this road trip to go!

Automobiles, Pufferbilly Days, WPC - Reminder

Pufferbilly Days – Car Show

September 16, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

I headed up to Pufferbilly Days on the Friday Night to post the People’s Choice Standings. I thought I might get a funnel cake or check out the entertainment center, but I’m not even going to front. The band in there was so bad I had to check out after 1 really bad cover of Johnny Cash. Instead I walked through the car show. I’m not really a car guy, but I do like antiques and old stuff. Also, I know a few people that do the car show circuit and thought I might run into one or two of them.

Here are some pictures from my Pufferbilly Days Friday night.

The only car at the car show I could afford.

This car is made out of wood.

I still have many more Pufferbilly Days photos to share.

+++++++

This is your reminder that this weeks’ THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is PATHS:

PATHS

PATHS! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

WARNING! WARNING! NEXT MONDAY I WILL NOT BE NEAR A COMPUTER DURING THE MORNING! THEREFORE, THERE WILL DEFINITELY BE NO REMINDER MESSAGES NEXT WEEK! YOU WILL BE ON YOUR OWN TO GET YOUR SUBMISSIONS IN!

But what is a PATHS image? It is simply an image where a PATH(S) is a major compositional element. Lots of things can qualify as a PATH(S). A sidewalk. A trail. A street. Railroad tracks. A PATH(S) doesn’t just show where somebody or something is going, but can also show where they have been.

Happy photo harvesting!

Flowers, Macro, Naima

Have You Ever

September 15, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Have you ever wandered lonely through the woods?
And everything there feels just as it should
You’re part of the life there
You’re part of something good
If you’ve ever wandered lonely through the woods

Thursday is for flowers and this Thursday showcases a fairly diverse collection of flowers. All taken in my yard. Next year, I hope my flower collection is even better. I haven’t been great at yard work this year.

A bonus picture of Naima thrown in there at the end. Still more Flower Thursdays to come!

Art, Black & White, Christianity, History, Nature, Road Trip, Ruins

Mitchell and Floyd Aux – Vol. 1

September 14, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

Way back in April, I cruised around Mitchell and Floyd County harvesting their town signs. The weather and the lighting was great for photography and I took as much advantage of it as I could. There will be three collections of auxiliary images from this road trip.

Here is the first collection:

Carpenter

Otranto

Fort Severson

Saint Ansgar

Fort Severson. This is a fascinating bit of history to me. For starters, it isn’t a fort. It is a barn. A cool barn. But not a fort.

Here is what the inscription says on the historical marker outside of the barn:

Built in 1867 by Nils Severson on his land with help of neighbor’s using limestone and mortar of lime & sand from Deer Creek. Severson’s design was a typical fort with small openings for rifles and larger openings for gatling guns. The Spirit Lake Massacre and uprising at New Ulm Minnesota prompted the building of forts across North Iowa. This is the only one left standing. Although Indians never came there were some scares. Settlers would come from as far as ten miles to stay here. The building was later used as a stage coach stop on a route between Northwood and St. Ansgar on the Kansas City, Rochester Minnesota stage line. As many as 20 people would sleep on the top floor, meals were served on the first floor. Immigrants would stay while looking for land to settle on. It became a farm building in the 1870’s after the railroad came through. Restored in 1972 by local people as a United States bicentennial project. Use of fort & site donated by David & Judy Goplerud. Placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in July 1976.

Seems straight forward. They were scared of the indigenous people in the area. They built a fort. Where they had gatling guns. This is the inscription that is on the historical marker. However, the Mitchell County Historical County calls BS on this marker. According to their website:

Actually, it’s just a barn but where’s the fun in that? It’s long been called Fort Severson by Mitchell and Worth County residents. Actually, the term “Fort” was a common designation on the American frontier for larger secure structures built by early pioneers. These included some churches, a remote farm house or other safe place to stay when needed. People often found themselves away from more populated areas on the prairie and needed good shelter. Sadly, it never actually acted as a “fort” for protection.

But that takes away nothing from the structure itself. Solidly and skillfully constructed of local limestone and timber from surrounding woodlands, it has survived since the mid 1850s.

The website goes on:

Rumors of the structure being used for Indian protection and being a stagecoach stop have made for good stories over the years. Many will say the small openings were for defense of the “Fort” during anticipated attacks but that was not the case- No rifles or Gatling guns (as one account speculates) ever extended through those openings. The Spirit Lake Massacre in 1857 and the New Ulm Massacre in 1862 were over long before the “Fort” was built and the Indians that passed through the area, scouting along Deer Creek, were not a threat but were known to approach the settlers’ homes seeking food. These framed openings were in fact for ventilation of the barn. Not near as exciting as the rumors. The stage line to Northwood did pass by the Seversons. Tradition said that the “Fort” was used as a stop with the wagon teams staying below and the passengers stayed above on the loft space. Again, another good story. There was no chimney or heating source in the “Fort” and this was not a regular stage stop but weary travelers were likely accommodated in a nearby frame structure, now long gone, that was the actual inn and only the teams would have been sheltered in the Nels Severson Barn.

I assume the historical society is correct, but makes me wonder why the historical marker is so completely inaccurate.

Town Sign Project: Clayton County

September 13, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett 1 Comment

A few months back I made two separate trips to harvest the town signs of Clayton County. It was a great trip and I truly believe that Clayton County is one of the prettiest counties in Iowa. The whole region of Iowa is spectacular!

Here are some facts about Clayton County:
+ Population is 16,998. Making it the 41st most populous county in Iowa. Below Delaware County and above Tama County.
+ The largest town is Postville. The county seat is Elkader.
+ Established in 1837.
+ Named after John M. Clayton, a Senator from Delaware and the Secretary of State under Zachary Taylor.
+ Part of the Driftless Area.
+ 5th largest county in Iowa by area.
+ Home to Effigy Mounds National Monument. (Partially)
+ Major highways are US-18, US-13, US-52, IA-128, IA-56, IA-3, and IA-76.
+ Adjacent counties are Allamakee, Dubuque, Fayette, Delaware, Winneshiek, and Buchanan.
+ Population peaked at 28,829 in 1880.

Clayton County has a decent, but not spectacular looking courthouse:

The Clayton County Courthouse in Elkader, Iowa.

The Clayton County Freedom Rock is located in Guttenberg:

With Clayton County conquered, here is the updated Photography 139 Conquest Map:

PURPLE=COMPLETED

88 counties completed. 88.9% of the Cyclone State conquered!

Here are the town signs of Clayton County:

Postville, Iowa (Partially in Allamakee County)
EST. 1849
POSTVILLE
Hometown to the World
Population: 2,503 (+276)

Guttenberg, Iowa
Guttenberg
Historic Rivertown
Population: 1,817 (-102)

Monona, Iowa
Garden City of Iowa
MONONA
Incorporate 1897
Population: 1,471 (-78)

Elkader, Iowa
WELCOME TO ELKDAER
SHOP DINE EXPLORE & MORE
Population: 1,209 (-64)

Strawberry Point, Iowa
STRAWBERRY POINT
Population: 1,155 (-124)

Edgewood, Iowa (Partially Delaware County)
CITY OF EDGEWOOD
Population: 909 (+45)

Garnavillo, Iowa
Welcome To GARNAVILLO
Gem of the Prairie
Population: 763 (+18)

McGregor, Iowa
Est. 1837
WELCOME TO HISTORIC McGREGOR
Home of Pikes Peak
Population: 742 (-130)

Marquette, Iowa
MARQUETTE
WELCOMES YOU
Population: 429 (+54)

Luana, Iowa
Welcome to LUANA
Population: 301 (+32)

Farmersburg, Iowa
Farmersburg
THE SMALL TOWN IN THE COUNTRY
Population: 271 (-31)

Volga City, Iowa
VOLGA CITY
Population: 203 (-5)

North Buena Vista, Iowa
Welcome to:
North Buena Vista
GROTTO
BOATING FISHING
Population: 109 (-12)

St. Olaf, Iowa
St. Olaf Civic Center
Population: 106 (-2)

Garber & Elkport, Iowa
Welcome to the Elkport-Garber Community
Where The Rivers Run Wild
Garber Population: 76 (-12)
Elkport Population: 29 (-8)

Clayton, Iowa
CLAYTON
Est. 1849
Population: 45 (+2)

Osterdock, Iowa
Welcome to Osterdock
God’s Country
Population: 43 (-16)

Hardin, Iowa – Ghost Town
VILLAGE OF HARDIN

That is a pretty solid set of town signs. I think the worst one is pretty obvious though. It is St. Olaf. It isn’t really a town sign, just a sign marking their Civic Center.

But who gets the purple ribbon for Clayton County? I love the signs for Osterdock and Marquette and Guttenberg and Elkport-Garber and Garnavillo and Monona and Postville. Volage City’s town sign is a fountain! A FOUNTAIN! I don’t imagine there is another town sign in Iowa that is a fountain. But only one town has a town sign that is also the world’s largest strawberry. I have to give the prize to Strawberry Point.

Strawberry Point – Best in Show – Clayton County

There are quite a few alternate town signs in Clayton County:

McGregor – Alternate

Guttenberg – Alternate

Volga City – Alternate

Strawberry Point – Alternate

Monona – Alternate

Here is the current list of Best in Shows:

Best in Show – Adair County

Best in Show – Adams County

Best in Show – Allamakee County

Best in Show – Appanoose County

Best in Show – Audubon County

Best in Show – Benton County

Best in Show – Black Hawk County

Best in Show – Boone County

Best in Show – Bremer County

Best in Show – Buchanan County

Best in Show – Buena Vista County

Best in Show – Butler County

Best in Show – Calhoun County

Best in Show – Carroll County

Best in Show – Cass County

Best in Show – Cedar County

Best in Show – Cerro Gordo County

Best in Show – Cherokee County

Best in Show – Chickasaw County

Best in Show – Clarke County

Best in Show – Clay County

Best in Show – Clayton County

Best in Show – Clinton County

Best in Show – Crawford County

Best in Show – Dallas County

Best in Show – Decatur County

Best in Show – Delaware County

Terril – Best in Show – Dickinson County
Best in Show – Dickinson County

Best in Show – Emmet County

Best in Show – Fayette County

Best in Show – Floyd County

Best in Show – Franklin County

Best in Show – Fremont County

Best in Show – Greene County

Best in Show – Grundy County

Best in Show – Guthrie County

Best in Show – Hamilton County

Best in Show – Hancock County

Best in Show – Hardin County

Best in Sow – Harrison County

Best in Show – Howard County

Best in Show – Humboldt County

Best in Show – Ida County

Best in Show – Iowa County

Best in Show – Jackson County

Best in Show – Jasper County

Best in Show – Johnson County

Best in Show – Jones County

Best in Show – Keokuk County

Best in Show – Kossuth County

Best in Show – Linn County

Best in Show – Lucas County

Best in Show – Lyon County

Best in Show – Madison County

Best in Show – Mahaska County

Best in Show – Marion County

Best in Show – Marshall County

Best in Show – Mills County

Best in Show – Mitchell County

Best in Show – Monona County

Best in Show – Monroe County

Best in Show – Montgomery County

Best in Show – O’Brien County

Best in Show – Osceola County

Best in Show – Page County

Best in Show – Palo Alto County

Best in Show – Plymouth County

Best in Show – Pocahontas County

Best in Show – Polk County

Best in Show – Pottawattamie County

Best in Show – Poweshiek County

Best in Show – Ringgold County

Best in Show – Sac County

Best in Show – Shelby County

Best in Show – Sioux County

Best in Show – Story County

Best in Show – Tama County

Best in Show – Taylor County

Best in Show – Union County

Best in Show – Warren County

Best in Show – Washington County

Best in Show – Wayne County

Best in Show – Webster County

Best in Show – Winnebago County

Best in Show – Winneshiek County

Best in Show – Woodbury County

Best in Show – Worth County

Best in Show – Wright County

The next time we hit the open road for THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT we will visit Wapello County.

Andy, Angie, Becky, Bill, Brandon, Carla, Cathie, Dawn, Elizabeth, Jesse, Joe Duff, Kim, Kio, Linda, Logan, Mary, Michelle, Micky, Monica, Railroad, Sabas, Sara, Sarah Toot, Shannon, Suzie, Tamara, Teresa, Vest, Willy, WPC - Submissions

WPC – WEEK 365 – GREEN

September 12, 2022 Christopher D. Bennett

I’m not sure GREEN is going to be a popular theme. I’m not sure it won’t be. You’ll have to keep scrolling to find out.

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, September 5, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

+ Derrick Gorshe – 1 week
+ Evie Gorshe – 1 week
+ Sarah Karber – 1 week
+ Steve Martin – 1 week (2)
+ Suzie Brannen – 2 weeks
+ Jesse Howard – 3 weeks
+ Willy McAlpine – 3 weeks
+ Brandon Kahler – 4 weeks
+ Linda Bennett – 6 weeks (3)
+ Sarah Toot – 7 weeks (2)
+ Sabas Hernandez – 9 weeks
+ Monica Jennings – 9 weeks
+ Mary Green – 11 weeks
+ Angie DeWaard – 12 weeks (2)
+ Dawn Krause – 15 weeks
+ Kim Barker – 21 weeks
+ Joe Duff – 23 weeks
+ Logan Kahler – 24 weeks (2)
+ Teresa Kahler – 33 weeks
+ Tamara Peterson – 33 weeks
+ Carla Stensland – 33 weeks (2)
+ Michelle Haupt – 34 weeks
+ Micky Augustin – 35 weeks (2)
+ Andy Sharp – 36 weeks
+ Bill Wentworth – 37 weeks
+ Cathie Morton – 41 weeks
+ Elizabeth Nordeen – 42 weeks
+ Shannon Bardole-Foley – 44 weeks
+ Kio Dettman – 47 weeks (5)

But you didn’t come here to listen to me talk all tommyrot about participation rates or streaks. You came to see the submissions and what streaks continued and what streaks flamed out:

Andy Sharp – 37 weeks

Andy Sharp

Kim Barker – 22 weeks

Angie DeWaard – 13 weeks

Angie DeWaard

Teresa Kahler – 34 weeks

Teresa Kahler

Elizabeth Nordeen – 43 weeks

Joe Duff – 24 weeks

Micky Augustin – 36 weeks

Bill Wentworth – 38 weeks

Carla Stensland – 34 weeks

Carla Stensland

Kio Dettman – 48 weeks

Kio Dettman

Linda Bennett – 7 weeks

Linda Bennett

Mary Green – 12 weeks

Mary Green

Shannon Bardole-Foley – 45 weeks

Tamara Peterson – 34 weeks

Christopher D. Bennett

Sarah Toot – 8 weeks

Sarah Toot

Michelle Haupt – 35 weeks

Dawn Krause – 16 weeks

Dawn Krause

Sabas Hernandez – 10 weeks

Suzie Brannen – 3 weeks

Logan Kahler – 25 weeks

Brandon Kahler – 5 weeks

Jesse Howard – 4 weeks

Sara Lockner – 1 week

Willy McAlpine – 4 weeks

Cathie Morton – 42 weeks

Mike Vest – 1 week

Monica Jennings – 10 weeks

Becky Parmelee – 1 week

28 participants this week! That is a great week! A slight dip from the last couple weeks, but that is okay. The ebb and flows.

Sabas and Monica both joined the double digit streak club! WooHoo! Congrats!

There were submissions from all over the globe this week. Submissions came from France, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, California and Alaska. I believe the picture from Alaska is the farthest north I’ve ever had a submission come from. France is pretty far east, but I think I’ve had submissions from Italy before. I don’t know what is the farthest west or farthest south off the top of my head. I think there might have been some Caribbean island pictures in the past that are the farthest south. Possibly the Alaska picture is also the farthest west too. I know people that have been in Hawai’i, but I don’t think they have submitted from there. Then you get to a point where, what is east and what is west. Some of those states are assumptions based on where people live.

I took my picture about 1 mile from my front door.

The Alaska picture, if you are wondering, is Shannon’s. I better you can figure out the pictures from France on your own.

But it wasn’t all sunshine and flowers and Iowa State beating Iowa in soccer. AND volleyball. AND football. There was some bad news. Derrick, Evie, Sarah Karber, and Steve couldn’t extend their streak past 1 week.

PATHS

PATHS! What a great theme for Year 9 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

While considering possible subjects for your image, mediate on the following quote:

If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.
-Anatole France

I look forwarding to seeing your interpretation.

RULES

You can send your images to either bennett@photography139.com OR you may text them to my Pixel 5.

That is all I got, so if the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise, we will all be sharing your idea of PATHS in this place that is my trail through the wilderness of life next Monday.