Tag Archives: Winter

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Beautiful Sunday Drive


The sunlight was high in the sky, harsh and the shadows it cast where long.  A few clouds graced us with their presence overhead throughout the day.  It was only in the low to mid 20′s, but with the sun, I would have sworn it was 40.  It was one of those Sunday’s that you welcome a drive; some time to be out and about – out of the house.

Today’s mission was simple…some cheese from the Eau Galle Cheese Factory.  The outing was different in that we actually planned to go here rather than happening by it an hour early or 10 minutes after it closed.  It is a somewhat narrow window to hit on a Sunday, 11-4:30.  Blueberry Cheddar, Cranberry Cheddar, Buffalo Wing Jack and even Chocolate cheese…all seriously yummy.

While en route to and the return trip from our destination, we happily took in familiar sites.  The drive through Porcupine, WI area and surrounding bluffs and valleys always affords spectacular views.  The deer where out in numbers this day – no doubt soaking up some sun.  They too seem anxious for Spring, or at the very least look it.  These are not your common yard-fed critters.

Crazy Tree
Sand Washing plant – Grange Hall, WI
what is left of the porcupine farmsted
St. Sophia
Stockholm, WI
The Stockholm Pie Company
The Stockholm Pie Company

Our last stop of the day before home was in Stockholm, WI at the Stockholm Pie Company.  Oh my.  Yes, I would love a slice of pecan pie.  Small and quaint place with lots of character.

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Assorted Photos – 2013: Week #10


Another interesting week in photography and weather.  It is a crazy time of year; this transitional weather certainly affords a certain level of variety.  Huge dump of snow early in the week, hoar frost and fog mid-week and now rain at the tail-end of the week.  The rain will turn to snow,  ice, or both here shortly because that’s just the way it works around here this time of year.

Hwy 52
Hwy 52
Cannon River
Cannon River
Vermillion River
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Old Schoolhouse – Elgin, MN


I did the obvious Google search to no avail.  I haven’t had much luck locating any information on this old schoolhouse.  Cyndie and I spotted it last August while out on a drive.  At that time is was surrounded by corn.  It stands on the edge of a farmer’s field Southwest from Elgin, MN; off CO Rd 24 NE.  The interior wasn’t all that spectacular, but the chalkboard was interesting.  The chipped and pealing paint and vines certainly added texture to the old structure.

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A familiar place – different season


The lovely hay and corn covered rolling hills I admired all Summer and Fall are all covered with snow and ice :-/

Hwy 50 Summer
Hwy 50 Winter

On another note, the snow and ice does provide for a very dramatic and contrasted scene which I very much enjoy.  Seasons change – change more than the scenery; sometime it changes your approach in how you compose and process your photographs.

Hwy 50 Farmscape
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Unseasonably warm and loving it


Another finally Friday with unseasonably warm weather.  Love it.  It was quite comfortable rolling down the back roads East of Prescott, WI this afternoon with the car window down.  It was a short run; a detour from my normal commute route.  There are so many different routes to take from St. Paul to Red Wing and when you put Western Wisconsin into the mix the possibilities become seeming endless.  I ran across a whole bunch of sheep today.  I’ve seen a few small heards here and there, but today there were hundreds.  Fuzzy wuzzy bugger they are.

It was a great afternoon for a drive.

:the old buildings with the moon – that is an eagle next to the moon…way the heck up there and beyond my zooms reach.

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Happy New Year


Happy New Year everyone!  I was back in Rice Lake, WI over the holiday weekend and snapped a few shot to and from.  It is always a great drive from Red Wing, MN to Rice Lake, WI via Taylors Falls, MN.  There are so many wonderful sites to take in off the main roads.  The second to the last barn you may recognize from a previous post.  I drive past it a lot and cannot help but continue to capture it.  It is a well designed, well kept and quite picturesque throughout every season.

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An Old Farmstead


I was fortunate enough today to meet up with a two fellow RWPC members ( Jeff Marcus and Jim Martin) for some shooting.  My love for distressed wood and old farmsteads was bolstered further today by a wonderful little farmstead in the Esdaile, WI area.  The rustic buildings and muted colors was an absolutely pleasure to capture.  There was just enough light through the mid-day to illuminate the amazing texture that old wood affords.  I was especially captivated by windows today.  The dirt, grime and reflections on the glass caught my eye time and again.

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Porcupine Valley Farmstead


I stumbled upon this abandon Porcupine Valley farmstead today.  It held no treasure; I expected none as the foot tracks in the snow from the road to the porch were plentiful.  I wasn’t the first and certainly will not be the last to stop and check out the establishment.  The texture of the weathered wood was wonderful on the exterior and I thought the peak decoration was interesting.  Characteristic of most abandon premises most of the windows were broken.  There were wonderful rays of light illuminating only partially of what was within.  There were canning jars everywhere…big bunch just inside the door – weird.  I liked how the light hit them.

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Porcupine Valley


It seems like an eternity since I was out last shooting up the countryside.  The forecast for today provided the little push to drop everything, plan nothing and just get out there.  The area selected to tour today is what is referred to as Porcupine Valley – my definition encompasses Porcupine with a bit of an expanded border which includes a few more valleys and streams.  Today a former co-worker, mushroom hunting buddy and always good friend [Doug] joined me for this trek.  Seven hours of back-roading the WI countryside yielded many shots.  I spotted a roster pheasant in the tall grass along side a road; I played dog and went in to flush it, did so, but didn’t get a good shot unfortunately.  I was just happy to see one.  We saw lots of eagles, eagle nests, hawks, funny pigs, friendly dogs, streams, ice, valleys, barns, old trucks and a whole bunch more.   We also stumbled upon an abandoned farmstead [separate post coming] – it was a gem. It was a grand day – which we concluded at Mike’s Bay Town in Bay City.  1/3 lb. burgers – oh yeah.  Doug apparently chews his food; I inhaled.