Monthly Archives: December 2020

Photos, Troy's Blog

Merry Christmas!

With many holidays being celebrated, albeit in a more subdued fashion, I wanted to create some nice black and white images. My family celebrates Christmas so that’s my focus for these pictures. This is not typically my style of photography. Color is often an important piece of a photograph for me but in the past few weeks I’ve been inspired to create some black and white pictures for the holiday season. Maybe it’s because color is a bit of a challenge at this time of year or the pandemic has me in this type of mood. I don’t know but it’s something that provided some motivation and excitement with the camera.

All decked out for the holidays

While looking for a subject of these black and white images I searched for inspiration. There wasn’t anything coming to mind initially on what would make a beautiful photo so I turned to searching the web for black and white photos. It didn’t take long for me to begin to think of what I would like to shoot in this manner. With so many people posting their pictures now it’s easier to find a little inspiration with a lot of amazing work being done.

Poinsettias are something that I have access too and are such a beautiful plant that I wanted to work with that subject. Another concept was the many places that transform their public areas into a beautiful holiday scene in December. A simple candle flame can be a magical picture which I have not attempted before. This seemed like a good time to try. This black and white concept hasn’t gone away so I’ll probably explore it further as the weeks progress.

Whatever holiday is celebrated in your household, I wish you the best one possible! For my family – Merry Christmas!

A single candle burning through the night

Lake Superior, State Parks, Troy's Blog

A Moody Lake Superior

On the last night camping at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park this fall, a storm moved through the area signaling an end to our glorious warm fall days. During the night rain fell over the tent eventually fading to silence. As the morning light neared, wind began to blow through the trees above shaking remaining water droplets down over the ground. Off in the distance, the occasional boom could be heard. Laying there in the dark, I tried figure out what was causing this noise. Was it storms continuing to pass by?

With a sliver of light penetrating the cloudy skies, I exited the tent and began walking towards the shoreline for my last morning being greeted by Lake Superior. The closer I got to the water, the easier it became to identify this booming. Waves of this Great Lake were slamming into the rocky shoreline making terminating in a watery crash.

Lake Superior on a windy morning

I had seen pictures of incredible waves crashing against the cliffs of the North Shore in Minnesota but had not experienced such an event myself. The lake appeared to be angry this morning. Perhaps angry with fall for bringing with if colder days before winter battles with this grand lake to cover these waters with ice and snow. Or maybe it was merely reminding those becoming complacent that this, the largest lake, demands our respect.

These were not the mega waves in pictures I’ve seen before which showed the amazing power of water destroying parts of the immovable granite boulders creating the beautiful shoreline, but their smaller siblings. In those photos, Lake Superior seemed furious with reckless abandon even sinking ships positioned in the wrong place. These smaller waves were impressive as they connected with shore sending water high atop the cliffs creating sounds demanding respect. With several hours of driving and more places to explore along the way, it was time to leave and say goodbye to this place I enjoyed with my wife and others I’d met while watching the sun rise from the watery horizon. I could have stayed and watched each wave as it reached the rocks creating amazing fountains for much of the day but that was not meant to be. Good bye to this amazing wonder, which has bored a connection deep inside, until next we meet.

Waves slamming into the rocky shores of Lake Superior

Exploring, fall, Troy's Blog

Fall Colors in Northern Minnesota

While in Northern Minnesota earlier this fall, one day was set aside to drive through these northern forests to enjoy the beautiful fall displays. Starting out near the Minnesota – Canadian border, my wife and I took back roads venturing out in search of the best fall colors. We drove along rivers, lakes, inland, and along the Lake Superior coast. There were amazing colors in many places. Unfortunately is was a bit of a dreary day with mist hanging in the air and fog floating just above Lake Superior. Thankfully the forecasted rain seemed to be holding off.

A misty morning in the colorful forest

Cell phone service in this area is very spotty making this a perfect place to get away from work and stresses of everyday life allowing us to focus on the landscape as we slowly meandered through it. There were beautiful scenes all around us requiring a stop frequently to get out of the car and snap a few photos while taking in such surroundings. This was an interesting experience trying to navigate these unfamiliar roads knowing there was little access to help if we were to have a problem.

Looking out at a foggy Lake Superior

Each intersection required a decision as to which way we should go, which can be liberating as there was no destination other than to get back to our hotel at some point. Preferably before dark. The day was for exploring and nothing else. We had food from camping earlier in the week along with a grill and fuel so we wouldn’t starve. At least for a few days anyway. Our general direction was to eventually connect with the Gunflint Trail for a return trip to Grand Marais and on to Grand Portage.

Fall on the Lake

Our travels took us through the Grand Portage Reservation on through the Superior National Forest. Some of the roads were a bit dicey but we were able to make it through. Fortunately it had been a dry summer so there wasn’t much mud or puddles which could’ve significantly altered our adventure. Along the way we found an overlook for the Pigeon River valley with a grand view. On clear days I’m sure it’s even more spectacular looking out at the border between Minnesota and Canada. I could have spent half a day here just looking out at the details of this valley, but I also wanted to continue inland and explore more places. Who knows what may lie ahead?

Looking out over the Pigeon River valley

Continuing down the road we neared the Boundary Waters Canoe Area taking us to a number of different lakes to get out and enjoy the scenery. One of these stops had a loon still swimming in the calm waters. Must have been one of the last to begin the trek south from these northern locations. Eventually we arrived at East Bearskin Lake where I had camped with a college friend the year before. It was a nice way to end our exploration of the backcountry of Northern Minnesota with a scenic, calm lake where the aspen displayed their bright yellows reflected in the water below. From here we would join the Gunflint Trail and return to Grand Marais bringing an end to our fall foliage adventure.

Beautiful fall trees reflecting in a calm lake

Monopoly Traveler Reflections, Troy's Blog

Monopoly Traveler Reflections– Independence Day From the Black Hills to Estes Park

After taking part in Independence Day festivities at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3rd, the plan was to drive over 300 miles from Custer, South Dakota to Estes Park, Colorado in time to watch fireworks with the Rocky Mountains as a back drop. Before we could get underway though we needed to head back to Mount Rushmore to grab a few pictures we were unable to get the day before due to larger crowds. The main picture needed was the traditional family photo with the entrance sign for our scrapbook of Monopoly Travels. While in the area we decided to spend a few minutes driving by in a more relaxed matter to see this National Memorial in the daylight. The day before it was battle driving as the crowds converged on this place early in the morning. It was also nice to see things during daylight hours.

Entering Mt. Rushmore

While spending about a half hour driving through the area we where able to stop at the entrance sign where a mountain goat entered the area allowing us to watch as it watched us back for a nice wildlife experience at Mt. Rushmore. The day was much nicer and dryer compared to the day before with the sun shining on this early summer day. We were quickly learning how to find each persons spot around National Parks entrances signs taking less time to capture our picture.

Being visited by a mountain goat

During this short time we took a slow drive past the carved stone making up the Presidential monument viewing it from the highway before continuing on down to Keystone, South Dakota to turn around. On the way back there was a different view of Mt. Rushmore for one last time before leaving South Dakota. Passing behind it I kept looking back to see what the stone on the backside was like wondering how it was shaped before being carved. It definitely didn’t appear as I had imagined. I expected it to be a large piece of solid stone but these were smaller stone with many scars and cracks making it look broken up enough that carving would be quite difficult. It is most likely more solid than it appears in order to be carved and stand many decades of freezing winters and hot summers.

The back side of Mt. Rushmore

With Mount Rushmore now in the rear view mirror we were officially on our way to new territories. Along the way we drove passed Crazy Horse Monument still being carved. It’s a larger carving then I would expect given the size of the carvings we’ve recently left. In what felt like no time at all we were entering Wyoming. Stopping for a picture next to this state sign, it felt good to be on our way west and entering a state we’ve not been to yet. Heading towards the Rocky Mountains was the portion of this adventure I was most anticipating and looking forward to. Some time in the mountains experiencing what effects the altitude would have on us in picturesque landscapes was exciting.

Entering Wyoming for the first time

Shortly after getting into Wyoming we found a rest area with picnic tables for a stop to grill something to eat. Enjoying the warmth of summer while sharing stories of our time so far made for a fulfilling stop while gazing out over the prairies of Western United States during lunch. Once the grill was cool enough to pack back into the trunk of our car we settled in for a long drive south. Over the next couple of hours we watched the Prairies of Wyoming pass by, some passengers catching a nap along the way. Cheyenne, WY started to approach for our next opportunity to fill up with gas and allow each person to stretch their legs along with a restroom visit. The next stop would be Estes Park in Colorado.

A nearly full moon rising over the Rocky Mountains

A short time after entering Colorado we reached Loveland where we turned back west to begin our climb into the mountains. Meandering through Loveland we passed by people celebrating and claiming their spot to watch that nights fireworks reminding us that it was Independence Day. Continuing into the mountains the road began to climb higher and higher. At times a raging river followed this road adding to this mountain experience letting us see parts of the landscape we would experience in the coming days. It was all so beautiful going around every bend, climbing higher and higher. After continuously pressing the accelerator for the past half an hour we began to level out and entered Estes Park.

Making it to Estes Park near Rocky Mountain National Park

With beautiful mountains all around distracting my attention from the road we found our hotel and got checked in. Soon after dragging our belongings to our room I was back outside taking in the beautiful surroundings. It was nearing time to eat and pizza delivery was the choice for the evening. Now to relax from a day in the car and prepare for fireworks to mark the end of our journey on this Independence Day. Camping chairs were removed from the trunk of the car and set up in the hotel parking lot where we would eat dinner and enjoy exploding rockets set against a mountainous backdrop. The next day would mark our introduction to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Celebrating Independenc Day in Estes Park Colorado