Category Archives: Art

The Windy City: Day 1A

I’m going to cover my recent work trip to Chicago in a different format than I covered my work trip to Las Vegas. I’m going to mix the camera images with the cell phone pictures. I’m also going to try to tell the story mostly through the pictures. Rather than telling the story and then sharing the pictures. I’m also not going to include the food pictures. I’m going to put all my Chicago food pictures together in one big Sunday food adventure entry.

Here are the first collection of images from my Day 1 of my work trip to Chicago:


Chicago, Illinois
I was dreading parking in the Gray Lot, but I got stuck there again. But now I’ve been there a couple of times I’m starting to dig it. Especially when I get paid by the hour.

Chicago, Illinois
Even though I parked approximately 15 miles from the terminal, I got to my gate in plenty of time.

Chicago, Illinois
I’m roughly 6 foot 4. Tony is pushing 6 foot 8. Putting us next to each other in one of the world’s smallest planes is the height of cruelty. The type of thing you would see in a museum dedicated to torture.

Chicago, Illinois
The hotel.

Chicago, Illinois
This time we didn’t have to wait 3 hours to get into our room. We dropped off our stuff and looked for food, but that meal will be covered later.

Chicago, Illinois
The hotel was straight across the street from the river and a half block from the Chicago Theater. A good location.

Chicago, Illinois
I never ate here, but reminded me that my favorite restaurant on my trip to NYC was Empanada Mamas.

Chicago, Illinois
A dispensary. I’m not into marijuana cause I have elements of a control freak, but seeing one reminded me how backwards thinking Iowa has become.

Chicago, Illinois
True words.

Chicago, Illinois
At Naima’s age, she might benefit, but she is such a dang picky eater, I’m not spending that much money for her not to eat it.

Chicago, Illinois
Wake and bake.

Chicago, Illinois
I do love the names of marijuana products.

Chicago, Illinois
Day 1 was the day before International Pot Smokers Holiday.

Chicago, Illinois
That is over 50% off!

Chicago, Illinois
Just looking up and trying not to run into somebody on the street. Full disclosure, I don’t care if run into somebody on the street.

Chicago, Illinois
I love street art so much!

Chicago, Illinois
Art in the hotel. The hotel was much nicer than the one we stayed at in Miami Beach, but less interesting. So a wash.

Chicago, Illinois
Taxi up close.

Chicago, Illinois
“Staytion”. Lame.

Chicago, Illinois
I don’t know if Kim hates me but I always get a “view” of a parking garage. Lowell’s view was so much better.

Chicago, Illinois
Wasn’t as loud as expected.

Chicago, Illinois
For people who don’t know how elevators work. Much better elevators than in Las Vegas though.

Chicago, Illinois
While waiting for Kim to get done, so we could go get supper, Lowell, Tony, and I went for a walkabout. That is a lot of commas, probably not used properly.

Chicago, Illinois
I miss this guy.

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Two more collections of images from just Day 1 of this trip are in the hopper. I hope you like Chicago!

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This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is RUINS:


WEEK 400 - RUINS
RUINS

RUINS! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE!

But what in the Ron Harris is a RUINS image? Simply put, it is a picture of something that is in the state of physical destruction or disintegration. Something that is in bad shape.

RUINS has been a theme a few times before. Take a look back at some previous submissions for inspiration:


WEEK 30 - RUINS - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth – Week 30

WEEK 103 - RUINS - DAWN KRAUSE 1
Dawn Krause – Week 103

WEEK 121 - RUINS - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland – Week 121

WEEK 211 - RUINS - JEN ENSLEY-GORSHE
Jen Ensley Gorshe – Week 211

WEEK 362 - WEEKENDS - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett – Week 362

Happy photo harvesting!

Muscatine County Aux. – Vol. 5

Since my trip to Chicago I know I have missed celebrating a few birthdays on this website, but the bleeding stops today.

Happy birthday to my awesome sister-in-law and fellow Brandi Carlile fan Becca!


Minnesota State Fair - 2019

I hope you have a birthday that is as tremendous as you are! Lots of Brandi Carlile music and lots of adventures for you and Jonah!

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Also, happy birthday to my favorite Editor Michelle!


Day 318 - November 14, 2021

I hope you don’t slave away at the Computer Mine too hard today!

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Today I am sharing the final collection of auxiliary images I took on my trip to Muscatine County to harvest their town signs. Including. Finally. The picture of the dragon that sold me the best watermelon I’ve ever had in my life.


Muscatine County  - Muscatine
Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine
Tasted better than it looks.

Muscatine County
This dragon knows its watermelon!

Muscatine County

Muscatine County

Muscatine County

Muscatine County  - Conesville
Conesville

Muscatine County  - Conesville

Muscatine County  - Conesville

Muscatine County  - Conesville
I have questions, but every time I ask a Catholic about Catholic things they don’t know anything.

Muscatine County  - Conesville

Muscatine County  - Conesville

Muscatine County  - Conesville

Muscatine County  - Conesville

Muscatine County  - Conesville

I definitely enjoyed Muscatine County. I might have to make a watermelon run again this year, or commission Micky to bring back a melon. Hashtag watermelonlife!

Next time we hit the open road for auxiliary images from THE TOWN SIGN PROJECT, we will visit Henry County and Jefferson County.

The Fountain of the Four Seasons – Day

Last year I took some pictures of the The Fountain of the Four Season at Iowa State University as they were getting ready to take it down and do some restoration work to the fountain.

Here is a little history of the Fountain of the Four Seasons from the Iowa State Museums website:

According to Dr. Lea Rosson DeLong in her book Christian Petersen, Sculptor (2001), the Fountain was inspired by Petersen’s work in 1936 illustrating a children’s book, Cha-Ki-Shi, with the Meskwaki tribe at the Tama settlement. Petersen “consulted with geneticist-poet friend J.C. Cunningham, who shared that interest.” The professor soon supplied a four-line Osage chant:

Lo, I come to the tender planting
Lo, a tender shoot breaks forth
Lo, I collect the golden harvest
Lo, there is joy in my house.

First created in plaster for consideration by President Friley, these sculptures were sent to the national cornhusking championship in Davenport, where they were met with approval. The four plaster Maiden models can be found in Curtiss Hall.

The central ring of terra cotta surrounding the fountainhead features corn shoots beginning to grow. This connects the chant of Osage harvest to the educational and agricultural heritage of Iowa and Iowa State University through the cultivation of corn as a symbol of the cultivation of an education.

Along with the Maidens and the terra cotta ring, even the design of the spray of water was created by Petersen.

Petersen rarely described his works, but in this case, he explained how the curving jets that spout inward toward the center column of water reflect the shapes of nature, that the sculptures and water together with the poetry of the chant express balance and harmony with nature. -curator Dr. Lea Rosson De Long

I don’t know anything about J.C. Cunningham, but I do always worry when I see somebody referred to a “geneticist” in the 1930s. It was definitely not the golden age of genetics. To say the very least.

I also took some night pictures of the fountain. I will get into the restoration effort of the fountain when I share those pictures.

Here are some daytime pictures of the fountain:


Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

Fountain of the Four Seasons

I won’t pretend to be a huge fan of Christian Peterson. There is something about the hands of his sculptures that creep me out. However The Fountain of the Four Season is truly one the treasures of Iowa State University and their public art program. Which is one of the largest campus public art programs in the United States. I will be excited when the fountain “returns”. But it is going to be a minute.

Muscatine County Aux. – Vol. 4

Time for yet another collection of images from my road trip to Muscatine County to harvest their town signs. At this point on the trip, I had left Wildcat Den State Park and rolled into Muscatine. All of the pictures in this collection were taken in Muscatine.


Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine
I once entered a picture of this street sign in the Ogden Fun Days Photo Contest.

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

Muscatine County  - Muscatine

There is still one more collection of picture of this road trip left to share. Including finally sharing the picture of the dragon I bought the best watermelon I’ve eaten from. It was almost a mythological experience.

Hot Dog! – Ankeny Field Work

Back in February, after church, Teresa and I met Sheri down in Ankeny at Naughtea for lunch. Naughtea specializes in serving a variety of bubble teas and Korean hot dogs. I had no clue what a Korean hot dog was, but I was more than game to find out.

You can get your K-Dog with either half cheese and half hot dog, all hot dog, all cheese, or either combination wrapped in American cheese. I got the Hot Cheetos K-Dog with half cheese and half hot dog. I would actually recommend going all cheese cause quite frankly the hot dog is nothing to write home about. I don’t know what kind of hot dog they use, but it isn’t one that would ever make it to my fridge and on my grill. I’m not exactly a hot dog snob. Well… maybe a little bit. But I would never use the “e word” to describe my relationship with hot dogs.

Here are some pictures from the day:


Hot Dog! - Naughtea

Hot Dog! - Naughtea

Hot Dog! - Naughtea

Hot Dog! - Naughtea

Hot Dog! - Naughtea

Hot Dog! - Naughtea

Hot Dog! - Naughtea

Hot Dog! - Naughtea

Hot Dog! - Naughtea

Hot Dog! - Naughtea

Hot Dog! - Naughtea

For the bubble tea I got the Mango Princess Jasmine Milk Tea with the Mano Jelly Boba. It was 100% delicious.

My K-Dog was also delicious. However, for somebody like me, one K-Dog probably doesn’t do in the appetite. But since K-Dogs are relatively inexpensive (anymore if I can get out of a restaurant paying less than $15, that is a win and if I can get out for less than $10 I alert the media) I would maybe get 2 next time. But then you factor in the $7 drink, I’m suddenly becoming an expensive date.

I would definitely go back, but I don’t think I would search it out. At least not for a meal. Maybe if I was hardcore craving a bubble tea.

Naugtea is located at:

1810 SW White Birch Circle
Suite 115
Ankeny, Iowa

The next food adventure will take place in Altoona, Iowa.

Muscatine County Aux. – Vol. 3

Time for yet another collection of images from Muscatine County. One of my favorite counties that I visited. At least that wasn’t in the Loess Hills or the Driftless Area. Definitely Top 5. No lower than Top 10. This is not the collection that will show the dragon I bought the best watermelons of my life. However, there is pictures of Wildcat Den State Park that has a mill that I think is one of the most photographed tableaus in the state of Iowa. Plus an Old Stone Church that is set in a breathtaking rural Iowa vista.


Muscatine County - Wilton
Wilton

Muscatine County - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Walcott
Walcott – Based on Balmoral Castle

Scott County - Buffalo
Buffalo – Scott County

Muscatine County - Old Stone Church
Old Stone Church

Muscatine County - Old Stone Church
Methodists!

Muscatine County - Old Stone Church
The only thing I hate more than bigotry is power lines.

Muscatine County - Old Stone Church

Muscatine County - Old Stone Church

Wildcat Den State Park
Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park

There are plenty more pictures to share from this road trip. We haven’t even made it to Muscatine yet!!

WPC – WEEK 397 – FRIENDS

It is the last collection of submissions of the month, so it is a good time revisit the THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE FAQ:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE

What skill level photographer can participate?

THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE is open to photographers of all skill levels. From award winning photographers to professionals to the highly ranked amateurs to those that are just beginning to those who don’t even know how to focus a camera. All skill levels are encouraged and welcome. You can’t be too bad and you can’t be too good! Everyone has room to learn and be challenged!

Award winning photographers? Really?

Yes. I can think of at least 5 photographers that participate regularly that have won a photography award of some kind.

Is this a competition?
No.

Is there a limit to the number of submissions I can have each week?

Yes. That limit is 3. If you send me more than 3, I will post the first 3 that you send. I’m not trying to harsh your photography buzz, but any more than that start to overwhelm the other submissions and it takes me about 5 minutes to take a picture from my inbox to code it on the website. So I have to manage my workload.

If participation rates climb, that limit of 3 is subject to lower.

Can I send you several pictures and have you pick the best one?

No! No! NO! If those words come out of your mouth or your keyboard, I consider that to be a non-submission.

Do you ever question whether somebody’s submission fits the theme?

Meh. Only if I think somebody is clearly confusing this week’s theme with last week or next week’s theme. Otherwise, if the submission makes sense in your head, that is good enough to me. However, I would urge you to not try to fit your favorite subject into the theme. This isn’t a challenge to share a picture every week of your kid or your business or your pet. It is a challenge to take pictures of different things every week. Which isn’t to say subjects can’t be repeated, but you shouldn’t become reliant on the same ones.

Why can’t I submit after 11 AM on Mondays if the post doesn’t publish until 12:01 PM?

I go to lunch at 11 AM. I leave my office. I’m not near a computer. At 11 AM I hit “Schedule” and then I go throw food down my throat. 167 hours is more than enough time to send a submission. Okay, 166 hours and 59 minutes. You got me.

Are there resolution requirements for submissions?

I won’t turn down submissions that are too small. I will probably ask you for a picture of greater resolution if it is really small. The typical 4 x 6 image posted to my website has a resolution of 1280 pixels x 853 pixels. While a 400 x 300 image might look okay on your phone, it looks like trash on a computer monitor. I prefer images that are at least 1000 pixels at their largest point, but don’t ban smaller pictures at this point.

What format should my submission be?

.JPG but .PNG also works.

If I write a description of my image will you include that in your post?

No. Photography is art that should stand on its own. Only exception is the SLICE OF LIFE theme.

When will you start accepting suggestions for next year’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE themes?

Suggestions are closed for next year’s list. It will be a minute before they open up for Year 11 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE.

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Well things worked out correctly.



I boarded an airplane.


I flew back to the Cyclone State.


I made it through the road construction on Fleur.


Made it to Ted’s Coney Island.


Had a badass tenderloin.


Onion rings.


And some delicious baklava.


Delivered popcorn to Elizabeth.


Greeted Naima. She was glad to see me.


Took her for a car ride.


Took her to Dickcissel Park.


Watched the show I’m currently binging. (SUCCESSION)


Did some laundry.


Then finally did all the coding necessary for you to see all the FRIENDS submissions.

So without further adieu, I present the post on this WEEK 397 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE…

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FRIENDS! They are pretty great to have in your life, but do a lot of people have FRIENDS in their life that they could photograph? You will have to keep scrolling to find out!

As of 12:01 PM on Monday, April 17, this was the current list of ACTIVE streaks (ignore the numbers in parentheses):

1-Porter Degeneffe – 1 week
2-Scott Degeneffe – 2 weeks (2)
3-Mary Green – 2 weeks (3)
4-Jesse Howard – 2 weeks
5-Alexis Stensland – 2 weeks
6-Sabas Hernandez – 4 weeks
7-Mindi Terrell – 8 weeks (3)
8-Suzie Brannen – 13 weeks (2)
9-Monica Jennings – 13 weeks
10-Mike Vest – 14 weeks
11-Tamara Peterson – 24 weeks (2)
12-Brandon Kahler – 34 weeks
13-Linda Bennett – 38 weeks (2)
14-Sarah Toot – 39 weeks
15-Angie DeWaard – 43 weeks
16-Dawn Krause – 47 weeks
17-Kim Barker – 52 weeks
18-Joe Duff – 54 weeks
19-Logan Kahler – 54 weeks
20-Teresa Kahler – 65 weeks (2)
21-Carla Stensland – 65 weeks
22-Micky Augustin – 66 weeks
23-Andy Sharp – 68 weeks
24-Bill Wentworth – 69 weeks
25-Cathie Morton – 73 weeks
26-Elizabeth Nordeen – 74 weeks
27-Shannon Bardole-Foley – 75 weeks
28-Kio Dettman – 78 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:


WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp (Iowa) – 69 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - DAWN KRAUSE
Dawn Krause (Iowa) – 48 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard (Illinois) – 44 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - MICKY AUGUSTIN
Micky Augustin (Iowa) – 67 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Illinois) – 53 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - KIM BARKER
Kim Barker (Illinois)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - SCOTT DEGENEFFE
Scott Degneffe (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa) – 9 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - MINDI TERRELL
Mindi Terrell (Iowa)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - SUZIE BRANNEN
Suzie Brannen (Iowa) – 14 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - MONICA JENNINGS
Monica Jennings (Iowa) – 14 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen (Iowa) – 75 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - HEATHER COURTNEY
Heather Courtney (Iowa) – 1 week

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa) – 66 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - TERESA KAHLER
Teresa Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - BRANEDON KAHLER
Brandon Kahler (Iowa) – 35 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - BILL WENTWORTH
Bill Wentworth (Nebraska) – 70 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - CATHIE MORTON
Cathie Morton (Illinois) – 74 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - CARLA STENSLAND
Carla Stensland (Iowa) – 66 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas) – 55 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - JOE DUFF
Joe Duff (Texas)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa) – 79 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - KIO DETTMAN
Kio Dettman (Iowa)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas) – 39 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - LINDA BENNETT
Linda Bennett (Kansas)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett (Iowa)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa) – 56 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - LOGAN KAHLER
Logan Kahler (Iowa)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (Utah) – 76 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - SHANNON BARDOLE-FOLEY
Shannon Bardole-Foley (California)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania) – 40 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - SARAH TOOT
Sarah Toot (Pennsylvania)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa) – 25 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - TAMARA PETERSON
Tamara Peterson (Iowa)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - JESSE HOWARD
Jesse Howard (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa) – 3 weeks

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa)

WEEK 397 - FRIENDS - ALEXIS STENSLAND
Alexis Stensland (Iowa)

26 participants! That is a pretty good week all things considered.

There were submissions this week taken in the following states:

+ California
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ Pennsylvania
+ Texas
+ Utah

Thanks to Shannon’s bee road trip, we added two states to the map! California and Utah!

Here is the current calendar year list for states:

+ Arizona
+ Arkansas
+ California
+ Colorado
+ Florida
+ Georgia
+ Illinois
+ Iowa
+ Kansas
+ Nebraska
+ New Jersey
+ New York
+ Nevada
+ Michigan
+ Minnesota
+ Missouri
+ North Dakota
+ Oklahoma
+ Pennsylvania
+ South Dakota
+ Texas
+ Utah
+ Washington D.C.
+ Wisconsin
+ Wyoming

24 states and 1 district! That is pretty impressive!

The Outside of the United States map is currently:

+ British Virgin Islands
+ Nassau Bahamas
+ Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

My submission was taken 360 miles from my front door.

This week saw the first ever submission from Heather. I don’t know if that is a sign of things to come or a one-off, but I hope it is a sign of things to come.

But it wasn’t all good news. There was a veritable bloodbath of streaks falling though. Porter couldn’t build on his submission from last week. Mary’s streak snapped at 2. Sabas’ streak is history at 4. Most tragically, Vest’s 14 week streak is gone!

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:


WEEK 398 - ROAD TRIP
ROAD TRIP

ROAD TRIP! What a great theme for Year 10 of THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE! This is one of my favorite themes for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE. It isn’t just because I am one of the few universally recognized Masters of the Road Trip. Okay, maybe it is.

But what in the Sam Hill is a ROAD TRIP photo? Simply put, it is a picture that is taken on a ROAD TRIP or in preparation for a ROAD TRIP. It doesn’t have to be a picture of a road or a car or a map or snacks. I LOVE a good ROAD TRIP snack. For example, if you are taking a ROAD TRIP to Pella to do a little flowertography this weekend, then a picture of anything you encounter on that ROAD TRIP is fair game. It doesn’t have to be a grand ROAD TRIP. You don’t have to leave the state on this trip. And judging by where many of my submissions come from, many of you haven’t left the state since Theresa Becker was the Iowa State women’s basketball coach*. I can cast stones, I’m in Illinois right now. I’m a world traveler baby! I go places. I’m a baller. I ask questions. You want me on your corporate team!

Sorry got sidetracked. Your ROAD TRIP could be a jaunt around the block or down to the grocery store. I don’t judge. Or it could just be a picture of preparations for a ROAD TRIP to PELLA to do some flowertography.

While considering possible subjects for your ROAD TRIP submission, meditate on the following quote and I have no doubt that you will come up with an amazing idea:

All he needed was a wheel in his hand and four on the road.
-Jack Kerouac

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. There is a limit of 3 submissions per participant. To be considered the photographer, you have to be the one that takes the picture. Don’t be stealing the work of other artists. You can submit pictures for other photographers that took pictures with your camera or phone, but give credit where credit is due.

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

That is it. Thems the rules!

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 ROAD TRIP in this place that is more of a journey than a destination next Monday.

Rodan 139: The Gorge

While I was in Dysart with Nader, I also took Rodan139 up to photograph their most famous illusion The Gorge. It needs to be painted, but it still gets the job done. It is an indication of how small of a town that Dysart is that there biggest tourist draw is painted right now their main street. It even includes a spot that tells you to “Stand Here” that is right in the middle of the street.

Here are some pictures from the sky:


Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

Rodan139: The Gorge

The next time we take Rodan139 up to the friendly skies, it will involve Teresa’s back yard.

Viva Las Vegas: Day 4 and Day 5A

Day 4 of my trip to Las Vegas was the 2nd Day of the CCM. It was a busy day and I barely touched my camera. I spent pretty much the entire day at the conference center. I got to leave for the day at a pretty normal time and only felt the urge to punch another human being in the throat one time. But I didn’t. I just want you to know that. I didn’t punch that other human being in the throat. I only wanted to punch them in the throat.

That night I was taken out for supper by one of the biggest Computer Mine customers. They are big fans of Italian food so they took me to Trevi Italian Restaurant. Trevi is inside the Shops at the Forum. Our Uber driver dropped us off at The Caesars Forum, which is actually farther away from Trevi than our hotel.

Everybody else at the meal was Catholic and adhered to the no meat Friday deal. I ate lasagna. I offered to join them in not eating meat, since they were paying, but they told me not to worry about it. The lasagna was good and I followed it with some delicious tiramisu.

We walked back to the hotel cause we no longer trusted Uber drivers. We stopped and watch the fountain show at the Bellagio. Then I bid them a good night. I think it was late enough in the evening that I might have just went to bed myself. I don’t know. It is all a blur at this point.

I only took one picture worth sharing:


Las Vegas, Nevada

So after 4 days, here is the Per Diem Fund Update

I started the Day with $223.

Breakfast: Free
Lunch: Free
Trevi Supper: Free

Estimated Per Diem Balance: $223.

According to my highly inaccurate fitness app, I walked 18,170 steps for 8.35 miles.

Day 5 of my trip and Day 3 of the CMC is only a half day. I got to the convention center around 8. It ended at noon. Afterwards everybody “helps” pack the crates. This was the other time I wanted to punch another human being in the throat, but not as hard as the person yesterday. Also, not the same person. Just a person that had “opinions” on how the crate should be packed. After everybody else left, Lowell and I tried to redo the crate as much as we could. Then we locked them up and called it a day.

We took a moment to go back to the hotel and change clothes then we went to Nacho Daddy for lunch with Kim. Nacho Daddy serves the “most insane gourmet nachos smothered in queso and salsa made fresh daily and (they) guarantee you’ll never find a dry chip”.

I believe I got the Fajita Nacho. Which the menu describes as:

Marinated filet mignon, seared peppers & onions, refried beans, melted Cheddar & Jack cheese, yellow queso, cherry tomato pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, & pickled onions on top of our house made tri-colored chips.

Nacho Daddy also serves a Scorpion Shot. It consists of Telson Blanco, a scorpion, salt and a lime wedge. I don’t drink alcohol, so I was off the hook for trying it. But Lowell and Kim both backed down from the challenge. It was a bit of a disappointment.

After the meal we back to the hotel for a bit. There was talk of going to Fremont Street but I didn’t hear from anybody for hours, so after resting I decided to explore a bit nearby on my own. Scottie D. had recommend I check out the Botanical Garden at The Bellagio. I walked across the street to seek it out.

Here are some pictures:


Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

It just absolutely poured rain all night. It pretty much eliminated the chances of anybody wanting to do anything that night. Which I guess was okay because we had to be at the shuttle by 5:15 in the morning.

Still more pictures to come from this rain-soaked night and one final Per Diem Upate!

+++++++

This is your reminder that this week’s THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE theme is FRIENDS:


WEEK 397 - FRIENDS
FRIENDS

Not only is this your reminder that this week’s theme is FRIENDS, it is your reminder that I am in Chicago right now and won’t return until Tuesday. Three things to note about that:

#1. If you were hoping to have me in your FRIENDS picture, you better make it to Chicago.
#2. I’m going to be in Chicago on Monday, so there might not be many reminders sent out, so you will be on your own.
#3. I won’t publish the submissions until Tuesday at the earliest.

A FRIENDS photo is simply a picture that involves FRIENDS or a picture that represents a FRIENDShip.

While considering possible subjects for your FRIENDS image meditate on the following quote:

Friendship is being there when someone’s feeling low and not being afraid to kick them.

This isn’t the first time that FRIENDS has been a theme. Here is a look at a few of the submissions from the past to help inspire you:


WEEK 246 - FRIENDS - ANGIE DEWAARD
Angie DeWaard – Week 246

WEEK 310 - FRIENDS - ELIZABETH NORDEEN
Elizabeth Nordeen – Week 310

WEEK 172 - FRIENDS - ANDY SHARP
Andy Sharp – Week 172

WEEK 172 - CARLA STENSLAND - FRIENDS
Carla Stensland – Week 172

WEEK 172  - FRIENDS - CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT
Christopher D. Bennett – Week 172

Hopefully this inspired somebody.

Happy photo harvesting!

Muscatine County Aux. – Vol. 2

Time to share another collection of images from my road trip to Muscatine County to harvest their town signs back in July of last year. Most of these are taken in Wilton. Wilton, Iowa. Home of many of my worst road trip failures. I’m talking about you Wilton Candy Kitchen and the fact that you are never open. However, if I make it bake to Wilton again, it will be all about Arty’s.


Muscatine County  - Atalissa
Atalissa

Muscatine County  - Atalissa
I think this place is closed, but I’m not sure.

Muscatine County  - Moscow
Moscow

Muscatine County  - Moscow

Muscatine County  - Moscow

Muscatine County  - Wilton
Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton
If this thing ends up missing from Wilton, I know nothing about it…

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton
But it would look great in my front yard.

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton
I have questions…

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton
I would definitely ignore this sign.

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton

Muscatine County  - Wilton

There are still so many pictures from Muscatine County to share. Such a great county with great watermelons.