Category Archives: Baby Got Rack

Maquoketa Caves State Park: Chapter 1

An announcement!

Today is the beginning of the Boone County Fair. On Saturday, Baby Got Rack will be competing in the Barbecue Competition. You should come out an support us. I think we will be there pretty much all day. I think judging is at 4 PM.

See you there!

You can also check out the photos I entered in the Boone County Fair Photography Contest.

+++++++

Jay, Willy, and I hopped in the car and went on a road trip to Maquoketa Caves State Park. At this point, I’ve published every ancillary photo from the trip, but not the pictures from the actual Caves State Park.

I begin that process now.

It was a brutally hot and humid day. Spending time in caves was very refreshing. However, the day had the worst photographic conditions you can imagine. The lighting was brutal.

I soldiered on though.

Here is the first batch of pictures from Maquoketa Caves State Park:


Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip
Photo Cred: Jay Janson

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip
Photo Cred: Jay Janson

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

Maquoketa Caves Road Trip

More pictures from this epic adventure coming your way soon!

Take the Time to Plant

I hope that while so many people are out smelling the flowers, someone is taking the time to plant some.
― Herbert Rappaport

Digging deep into the backlog here. The following are pictures from an August 2016 trip to the Iowa State Fair. Yes, I have pictures from 2016 I still haven’t even edited.

As many of you know, I the Discovery Garden is my favorite place on the Iowa State Fair fairgrounds. Every trip to the State Fair I make a stop there. This is often when I tell the people that go with me, go do something else. I’ll meet up with you later.

This particular trip to the State Fair was when Baby Got Rack was competing in the Farm Bureau Barbecue Contest. While the meat was smoking, I snuck over and grabbed these photos.


Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair
Discovery Garden at the Iowa State Fair

Freedom and Flowers

With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?
-Oscar Wilde

Before we get into the meat of today’s blog, we need to start with…


Iowa State 14 TCU 7
Happy 4th of July!

I hope you had an continue to have an enjoyable 4th of July!

+++++++

Time to hit up the back log and publish more pictures from Donna Jones’s flower bed!


Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

Donna Jones' Flowers

There are more of Donna Jones’ flowers in the hopper. For those of you that are fans of “flower porn” as Micky likes to call it.

+++++++

The votes have been tabulated and these are the photos that I will be entering in the Boone County Fair:


No. 8
#1

No. 45
#2

No. 43
#3

No. 12
#3

No. 21
#5

Technically there was a frog picture that got more votes than the picture of Shorty, but I’m not going a photo contest without entering a black & white image.

Thanks to the people that voted: Sarah Karber, Michelle, Micky, Vest, Mom, Teresa, Shannon, Kio, Aunt Linda, Jordan, Andy, and all of the fellow SmugMuggers that voted.

If you want to see the photos in the flesh (so to speak) they will be on display at the Community Building at the Boone County Fairgrounds. on July 21 and 22.

Baby Got Rack will also probably be competing on July 21. So mark your calendar!

We will do something similar when it comes to the Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest.

You Know I’ll Leave ‘Em Changing; ‘Cause You Know I’m Real with It; Don’t Care if You Feeling It!

The world wasn’t ready for these alternate TOY images on Monday. Most of these pictures are taken in the Photography 139 Backyard Studio where photography was often disturbed by 2 raucous dogs that had a whole yard to play in, but seemed to want to only play right on top of my rubber dinosaurs.

The flower image is from one of my Mom’s flower pots. It was taken with the TOY special effects setting on the trusty old Alpha 77ii.

However, the images that really might make you stand up and go “Huh?” are of the ginorumous smoker.

The smoker is the new smoker for Baby Got Rack. It was purchased in Louisville from another award winning barbecue man and shipped all the way up to Iowa. Many people have asked when will be their next opportunity to try some award winning Baby Got Rack barbecue.

You could try crashing a Catholic anniversary party in a few weeks.

Otherwise, the only competition that Baby Got Rack is currently eyeing is the Farm Bureau contest at the Boone County Fair.

Other than that, you’ll have to wait for my birthday extravaganza in 2019. I’m guaranteeing that it will happen again in 2019. I just have to settle on a theme. I’m thinking the theme might be “Jorts & Cargo Shorts”. That way the invitations will be easy to make.

Next year my birthday is on a Saturday, so I can actually hold the shindig on my birthday. It would be perfect timing. You can go to your favorite graduate’s open house and then come sit around to the fire tub and listen to KNMA Radio – The Power Retriever.

We’ll see.

Okay, I can’t hold the TOY alternates back any longer:


Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

Toy - Alternate

You’re welcome world!

But That’s Kind of Hard When She’s Ready to Go

“This performance is dedicated to all the playa hating teachers that won’t let a little gangsta shine!”

I normally don’t get too into explaining any of my photography. The thing about art is that once the artist creates it and puts it out into the world, they are powerless to control how people interpret the piece.

However, I thought I would explain a little bit of what my original vision was for the HATE theme. So interpretations don’t got too far askew.

I intended to join in with an anti-social media movement championed by this website:

Pro Personal Communication

I printed off one of their props and even had Michelle cut them out for me (since I’m not that great with the scissors) and I was going to spend my weekend using the prop to be a hater and HATE on the phone zombie phenomenon.

However, I just could get my playa hating game going this week. I’m not sure what was wrong. I hope my invite to the Playa Haters’ Ball doesn’t get pulled. That weekend catching up with Silky Johnson and Mr. Roboto is one of my favorite weekends of the year.

Here are the HATE photos that didn’t make the cut for THE WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE:


Loser - Hate

Loser - Hate

Loser - Hate

Loser - Hate

The picture that is just of me, isn’t because I HATE myself. No need to send me link’s to Logic videos. I HATE getting ice cream in my beard.

Here is another thing for you to HATE.

Recently, Baby Got Rack had to pull out of the Pufferbilly Days Barbecue Contest. There will be no threepeat as the People’s Champ. Baby Got Rack had to pull out because Scottie D. has a myriad of catering gigs lined up. Including his brother’s wedding. I tried to get him to skip his brother’s wedding. It is a long standing policy of mine that only bad people get married during the fall on Saturdays and furthermore I don’t know why my weekend should be ruined because somebody else “fell in love”. But Scottie D. is a hopeless romantic and tells me I should stop hating.

Maybe I will keep my invite to the Playa Haters’ Ball after all!

Baby Got Domination

For the second straight year, Baby Got Rack competed at the Boone County Fair barbecue competition. Sponsored by State Farm or Farm Bureau or some insurance company.

Here are a few snaps from the very, very, very hot day:


BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR - Boone County Fair 2017

BGR needs to thank Jesse for bulling it up, Willy for taking some of the photos, and for all of our super fans that came out to support us.

I honestly can’t remember how we did exactly, but I think it went something like this:

Tied for Best Overall for Lamb
Won Lamb
Won Pork
Won Turkey
2nd in Chicken
3rd in Beef

Or something like that.

By winning a category, we clinched a birth at the State Fair barbecue competition. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to contend because some of us have to adult on that day.

However, Baby Got Rack will be back at it during the Pufferbilly Days Barbecue Contest. If it is the same as last year, it will be on the Sunday of Pufferbilly days on the corner of 8th and Story.

So come down on Sunday, September 3. Look at the Photo Contest photos and then come over for some award winning barbecue. You won’t be disappointed!

You CAN Call it a Comeback

I can officially announce now that I have unretired from “competing” in photography contests.

For the first time in a couple years I entered photos in the Iowa State Fair Photography Salon. I will have one photo displayed at the Iowa State Fair. Don’t ask me which one, because I don’t know and I’m not even sure I remember what I entered at this point. Seems like a long time ago.

However, I was inspired by Baby Got Rack competing in the barbecue contest at the Boone County Fair, I decided to enter some photos in the Open Class at that same fair. Here is what I entered:


Boone County Fair - 2017
Ionized Gas

Boone County Fair - 2017
Peas Creek

Boone County Fair - 2017
Capra

Boone County Fair - 2017
Ledges Reflection

Boone County Fair - 2017
Cole School

Each image got a Blue Ribbon. It had been approximately 15 years since the last time I entered the Boone County Fair. Seemed like it was about time and I owe a debt of gratitude to Mike Vest for getting the pictures mounted so I had something to enter.

However, that isn’t all. Here is where it gets exciting! I’ve decided to keep all this participation momentum going and enter the Pufferbilly Days Contest for the first time in maybe at least 7 or 8 years.

I’m also going to bring back the way I used to pick my Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Photos. That means I’m not going to pick at all. I’m going to let 6 lucky Photography 139 fans pick the images.

At some point later this week, I’m going to publish the following photo on Instagram:



Picture of the 1385 taken by my Dad

When that photo gets posted, the first 6 people that leave a comment on that photo stating that they want to be a Pufferbilly Days Photo Contest Selector, will get there wish and be just that. They will have access to about 50 images and the picture they pick, I will enter.

If I can’t find 6 people that want to be selectors, well we will fall through that bridge when we get to it.

Baby Got Rack is Back!!

Baby Got Rack opens their competitive barbecue season tomorrow at the Boone County Fair!

You should probably make it a point to be there in the ballpark of 4 PM when the judging begins. Last year we were next to the bunnies. I’d imagine that is where we’ll be again.

But let’s take a fond look back at Baby Got Rack last year:



Don’t call it a comeback…


We’ve been here for years…


We’re rocking our peers…


Puttin’ suckers in fear…


Makin’ the tears rain down like a monsoon…


Listen to the bass go boom…


Explosions, overpowerin’…


Over the competition we’re towerin’…


Wrecking shop when I write these lyrics…


That’ll make you call the cops…


Don’t you dare stare…


You better move…


Don’t ever compare…


Us to the rest..


That’ll all get sliced and diced…


Competition’s payin’ the price!

If you get there around 4 PM, you can get your picture taken with our currently unnamed bull mascot. Heck! You might even be able to give him a name!

Valley Lodge is Closed

Since a few people have been asking, I am making a formal announcement.

THERE IS NO CHRISTOPHER D. BENNETT BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA AKA BENNETT-FEST THIS YEAR!

The reasons are multiple and complicated, but it is probably your fault. If you search your heart, you know it to be true.

So there will be NO:

– Baby Got Rack Award Winning Barbecue
– Hardcore Firetub Action
– Bubbles
– Sidewalk Chalk
– Golden Retriever
– Master’s Playlist
– Cornhole
– Tent
– Stimulating Conversation
– Catching up with old friends
– No photos like the ones below



2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

2016 Birthday Party Photo Booth

Better luck in 2018. I have the idea for that year’s invite. I just need to find some volunteers and some costumes.

Can You Smell What the People’s Champ is Cookin’?

I’m sure I mixed up that pro wrestling reference. I don’t watch pro wrestling. I went to college.

That being said, here are some pictures from Baby Got Rack’s day at the Pufferbilly Day Barbecue Contest:



Marcus whipping up a batch of Marfins. Not to be confused with Scuffins. Which is an entirely different thing.


That’s not Tone’s. That is our proprietary rub.


Vote 5! Stay alive! It sounds like a threat but, well maybe it was a threat.


Not all of our trophies are on display. That Coke can might have been self-awarded.


I made 6 gallons of Thick Soul Sweet Tea. Secret ingredient… more sugar.


Marcus’ sidewalk chalk rendition of Sir Pigs-a-Lot.


Pork loins going on Fat Boy. (The bigger smoker isn’t really named Fat Boy.)


Chicken coming off Little Man. (The smaller smoker isn’t really named Little Man.)


Scottie D. and I (mostly Scottie D.) brokered a deal for a silver pig from Paradox. We partnered with them (Baby Got Rack is all about synergy) at first to borrow the pig for the day. But then we sweetened the deal with a gallon of Thick Soul Sweet Tea and a ton of barbecue and that pig came come with me. Part of the partnering process included our bull getting a picture taken with their bull. If you have never checked out Paradox, I would highly recommend it. It is a pretty sweet store with some pretty sweet stuff.


We handed out pork loin sliders. Marcus cut the meat. I cut the buns. Scottie D. worked the crowd.


Scottie D. working the crowd.


The line for Baby Got Rack! Is that famous Flat Earth Theorist Joe Lynch in the crowd. You better believe it!


Bull working the crowd. My Mom pouring people stiff cups of Thick Soul Sweet Tea.


Did we win the kid’s vote? You bet your bottom donut! I’m being told that most people don’t use donuts for currency. I’m confused.


Baby Got Rack currently has two kinds of barbecue sauce. S + M and for the more daring sorts Anaconda Picosa. Story about that later.


Look at that line! People’s Champs!


Mmmmmmmm… Do you want to know what is in our injection? Love and goodness and other stuff.


Maybe we’ll do pork loin for my birthday next year. Maybe I won’t do a birthday party next year. One never knows.


Fat Boy cooling off.


This guy stopped by in the morning when we didn’t have any food to give out. We recruited him to come back and HE DID! Feeling the Baby Got Rack love!


Always time for a selfie with Bull!


Look at all these votes!


Note the silver pig.


People’s Choice!

First, thanks to Carla for taking many of these pictures.

Second, 2 quick stories.

Story 1

I told you we had two sauces: S + M and Anaconda Picosa. Anaconda Picosa is our spicier sauce. Scottie D.’s job while working the crowd was to explain the difference between the two sauces to the people. One guy approached the table and Scottie D. said, “Are you trying the Sweet + Mild?”

The guy stared Scottie D. down. There was 5 seconds of silence. Then he said, “Do I look Sweet + Mild?” He paused and then continued, “I’m an anaconda!”

He might’ve flexed after that, I’m not sure because I was laughing so hard.

Story 2

This one is creepier.

One of the other barbecue combatants arrived at Baby Got Rack’s tent early in the morning. To deliver this message:

“I’m going to win the People’s Choice Award this year. My niece… well she’s smokin’ hot. When it is time to give out samples, I’m going to have her come up here and hand out the samples dressed all sexy.”

There was some manly banter that I definitely don’t want to bore any females in the audience with.

A few hours later, he came back. This time, he had his niece with him. Holding a pan of samples for us to try.

“See what I’m saying?” He blurted out.

All I’m going to say is he better get a sexier niece for next year, cause you know who went home with that People’s Choice Award!

Finally, if you want to see all the Baby Got Rack images from 2016 (there might even be a picture of that niece in there) click on the link below:

BABY GOT RACK – 2016

That concludes the competitive barbecue season for 2016, but I’m sure Baby Got Rack will be back with a vengeance in 2017! Winning all the hearts and minds and trophies!