Tag Archives: burkeSD

Upper Plains Gothic…

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I just returned from a two week trip to South Dakota attending a conference, visiting family, friends, and shooting loads of photos. I spent most of one week sorting through my grandfather’s letters, newspaper clippings, photographs, and books. Under lamplight, in a quiet basement office, Grandpa guided my research from beyond yonder. This research led to many discoveries and even more questions.

My mind’s eye is somehow seeing everything torn, creased, faded, scratched, or yellowed. I saw my new photographs in the same way when I got home to Vermont.

Perhaps that’s why I find myself looking backward. The past has a clarity I can no longer see in the present. —Kristin Hannah/The Nightengale

A special thanks to everyone who made my trip so quite special.

Jo and Mark, there are far more photographs I want to share. Your dedication to Herrick’s history is inspiring, and the dance hall is gorgeous. When you offer memberships, please let me know.

last weekend on the high plains…

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“The Great Plains were immense enough to inspire the grandest, most foolish of dreams—but they were also vast enough that no one could ever explore every corner.”
― Melanie Benjamin, The Children’s Blizzard

PHOTOS:

  1. The farm where my mother and uncle grew up—Wakonda, South Dakota. The house is gone, but the barn and yard were so familiar to me. I still remember the sound of the screen door, and the radio on top of the fridge relaying the hourly farm reports on WNAX.
  2. Somewhere northeast of Burke, South Dakota last Saturday.
  3. Meckling, South Dakota (The Hay Capital of the World) & Toby’s Lounge, home of their very famous and delicious broasted chicken. A joint I frequented as a kid with my Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Leonard.
  4. Leaving Burke last Monday.
  5. An abandoned car somewhere in Clay County.
  6. Heading downtown—Burke, South Dakota.
  7. A creek east of Burke.
  8. Somewhere west of Beresford.
  9. I love rainy road trips, I was listening to Zach Bryan’s, This Road I Know—I’m on this road…
    And I don’t know where I am, but I know exactly where I am

Here’s to spring and road trips wherever you find yourself.