Glacier National Park - Day 4

For those of you who have been following our Glacier National Park trip and have been left hanging in limbo...I finally got the pictures from Day 4 edited! I think this may have been my favorite day of all. We didn't see much in the way of wildlife, but we saw a lot of beautiful country and took about 300 pictures! And the best part was Tom cooking our anniversary dinner during a beautiful sunset on the top of Going to the Sun Road at Logan Pass!!! Okay, it was only a Cheddarwurst and a bag of chips...but in a setting like that, it could have a PB&J sandwich and I would have been happy!

We were both tired from hiking about 20 miles the last couple of days, so today we decided to go for a drive up the northwest side of the park, a very sparsely traveled area with a primitive, unmaintained dirt road going to Kintla Lake just south of the British Columbia border. The road went through about 30 miles of burned timber and was prime grizzly habitat, so we were hoping to possibly run across a bear since the area was so lightly traveled.

While Tom was still sleeping, I headed out bright and early to get a sunrise shot from just outside of our campground.




I headed back to the campground and Tom was ready to go, so we packed up camp and headed west back over Going to the Sun Road. One nice thing about camping in Glacier National Park is that when you leave camp, you have everything in your vehicle with you because due to the bears, nothing can be left in camp except the tent, so you always have your food, water, supplies, etc. Today we planned on stopping at all of the "tourist" stops along Going to the Sun road, which we had avoided throughout the holiday weekend due to the crowds. We came to the first stop, The Sunrift Gorge, which had previously been so packed with people there wasn't even a parking spot, and today we were the only people there!
The river running through Sunrift Gorge
The weeping wall going west over Going to the Sun Road

A glimpse of Heaven!
The view from the forest floor!
At least 60 miles of burn and fog...we never would have known if we did drive past a grizzly unless he ran in front of us!


Tom was laughing at me as I was sneaking up on these bucks and they kept going from tree to tree trying to hide from me. One finally decided just to show me how tough he was, and the other one was mouthing off!


One of the neatest tourist stops that we stopped at along the Going to the Sun road was the Trail of the Cedars Nature Trail. It was getting dark when we stopped, and very few people were left on the trail. I could have spent hours exploring on the boardwalk and well-maintained nature trail that winds through the massive cedars.




It was getting late, and we had to race up the side of the mountain (which was kind of fun in a 1-ton long-box crew cab truck!) to make it to the top of Logan Pass in time to catch the sunset, but Tom had promised me a sunset for our dinner, and we made it with just enough time to get my tripod set up! So while I happily snapped away, Tom slaved over a hot stove and prepared our gourmet anniversary/birthday dinner!



It was the perfect ending to finish out an absolutely perfect vacation!

The complete gallery from our trip to Glacier National Park can be viewed at Thompson Photography !

Adelyn Turns One Year Old!

With all of the beautiful baby portraits I have been studying by photographers who dedicate themselves strictly to photographing babies and children, I have been anxious to see if I have what it takes to capture the personality and individualism of a baby! I got that chance when I received a call from Adelyn's mom, who was interested in some one-year photos of Adelyn. We made arrangements to meet at their family cabin south of Lead late last week. As luck would have it, Pat and Cindy Bonish of Everymilesamemory.com/Bonish Photography, were staying with us through the Sturgis Rally, and Pat volunteered to assist me for the shoot. After spending the morning shooting the pro division of the Jackpine Gypsies Hillclimb in Sturgis, we got cleaned up, jumped in the truck along with Cindy and our friend, Kym (who came along to make sure we found the cabin!), and headed for a beautiful drive south of Lead.

Although the weather was a little threatening, we couldn't have asked for more perfect light for an outdoor photo shoot, and the rain held off until we were done!













I think he has done this a time or two...





Thank you to Adelyn's family for giving me the opportunity to photograph your beautiful little girl! And a special thank you to Pat for all of the tips and wonderful advice you shared with me about portrait photography! Good luck and safe travels to you and Cindy while you continue on your adventure with Every Miles a Memory!!!

Rushmore Ramblers Motorcycle Club to Sponsor Poker Run

On Sunday, August 23, 2009, the Rushmore Ramblers Motorcycle Club and many other generous donors will sponsor an annual poker run with all proceeds being used for the Northern Hills Forgotten Elderly Christmas Gifts.

The ride will begin with registration in Spearfish City Park from 9:30 to 11:30, with donuts and juice provided to kickstart the riders! The riders will then proceed on a scenic ride through the beautiful Black Hills with six stops throughout Spearfish Canyon, Ice Box Canyon, Vanocker Canyon, and Boulder Canyon. Riders will then return to Spearfish City Park for a dinner of sloppy joes, potato salad, and beverages, all provided by generous sponsors.

A silent auction will also be held with a variety of fabulous donated items, including many overnight motel stays throughout the Northern Hills, jewelry, a variety of motorcycle accessories, and many, many gift certificates.

click to enlarge poster
Even if you don't ride, come for the silent auction, some great food, and to enjoy an evening of fun in park with family and friends, all while supporting a great cause for the elderly of our community!

If you have any questions regarding the ride, contact Stan James at 641-4788 or 5043, or Scott Glatt at 722-5497.

Jen's Maternity Memories!

With only about eight days to go before our close friend, Jen, was due to have her baby boy, it was time for some maternity shots! Having never done shots like this before, I really wanted the chance, but I also wanted them to be absolutely perfect for Jen, and I knew we weren't likely to get the chance for a re-shoot. Luckily, my husband and I just happen to have a fantastic couple staying with us who are extremely talented photographers! What a coincidence!! Pat was happy to volunteer to assist me, and immediately started coming up with some ideas for the shoot. When Jen called and said her and her mom were going to be in Spearfish that afternoon, we got ready for them to show up, while I sent my husband to the store for a few props. With the corner of my living room transformed into a makeshift "studio", Jen and her mom showed up and we got down to business! Although Pat was controlling the lighting, half the time I wonder if we actually needed it, as Jen was so excited, she was actually glowing!!!








Thank you, Jen, for placing your trust in me to record these precious memories for you! And I cannot thank Pat Bonish, of Pat Bonish Photography and Every Miles a Memory , enough for his assistance and expertise, as well as the loan of his equipment, which resulted in these wonderful memories for Jen and her family!

Jackpine Gypsies Hillclimb ~ Sturgis, South Dakota

On Monday, August 3, 2009, in conjunction with the 69th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the Jackpine Gypsies held their amateur hillclimb at their racing and hillclimb complex just south of I-90 on Short Track Road in Sturgis. If you are looking for some great entertainment without the high prices you will find at the many locations during the Rally...this is the place to check out! Cold beer is served along with a full concession stand, and unlike many places at the Rally, this is one place where your kids are welcome!!!











More images from the amateur hillclimb can be viewed and purchased at Thompson Photography !

My husband I have the privilege of having two incredibly talented photographers visiting us in Spearfish, and they joined me to photograph the hillclimb. Pat and Cindy Bonish of Everymilesmemory.com are a young couple who have been traveling the United States for several years in an RV and photographing their journey while blogging about their adventures. Pat will also have an extensive collection of images from the hillclimb posted and available for purchase, so be sure to check out his site! There is also tons of travel information for anyone planning on traveling to any of the locations they have visited (which seems to be about everywhere)!

Touring Hwy. 24 to Aladdin, Wyoming

Saturday night I was left home alone...
so I decided to go for a drive and see if I could find any big bucks or maybe some fawns to take some pictures of. I headed out on Highway 24, towards Aladdin, Wyoming, where I knew there was a monster atypical whitetail hanging out just waiting to have his picture taken!

Along the way, I noticed a new bar had popped up...not an unusual site during Rally time, but this placed looked so cool, I just had to stop! The Stone House Saloon (some thought went into that name!!) sits on the right side of the road about 10 miles or so outside of Belle Fourche, and looks like a great place to stop and cool off on the ride from Devil's Tower! Unfortunately, I couldn't go in because I had my Great Dane with me, although something tells me he would have been more than welcome! I have a feeling this is going to be one busy place on Wednesday!!!!!

I continued my search for a big buck, and instead came across these little twin fawns lounging in a ditch...

A little ways further down the road, I encountered the entire herd. I parked and decided to see if I could get closer, as I spotted several nice bucks in with the does.
I crawled quite a ways through the tall grass before the "sentry doe" spotted me and decided to come and check me out. I didn't move as her and two other does broke away from the herd and came across the field to see what was approaching them. She was only about 20 yards away when I couldn't take it any longer and had to blow it and take a picture!
It was so funny because as soon as my shutter closed, she snorted and stamped and took off back to the herd, and THEY ALL IGNORED HER! The bucks couldn't care less!
I knew exactly how she felt! I get that same treatment every time I have something important to say, too! So just to make her feel better, I jumped up, waved my arms around a little bit to give them all a good scare, and walked back to my Denali! That will teach those guys to listen to her!!!

On my way back home, I saw this little guy along the road...


Time to call it a night...
Saturn is visible directly above the setting sun.

It's Rally time...please drive with caution and watch out for the bikes!