Badlands, Wyoming, Storms, Boysen Reservoir

The Badlands of South Dakota at sunrise. This was taken from the campground.





Jumping a couple days ahead, skipping the Black Hills area, where for some reason I didn't take a single picture, this is central Wyoming, approaching Casper.





The suburbs of Casper.





We've left Casper now, and are headed west towards the Tetons, but via a northward detour to the hot mineral springs at Thermopolis.
This is downtown Hiland.





We passed through a series of isolated downpours on the way to Thermopolis. I like the plains because the sky is paramount.





This is Boysen Reservoir, at the opening of the Wind River Canyon, up which is Thermopolis. This canyon turned out to be a real highlight of our trip. Next post.

Surfacing in South Dakota

I was going to post pictures and/or artwork every day on our trip west. How niave. For many reasons this turned out to be a false notion. Mostly there is no time for such activities. I haven't done any painting or drawing. Here we are in a motel in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and my only post was before we left Long Island. Here are several photos so far:



Here we are about to pass by the exit to Sandusky Ohio.



Kay is wearing the white shirt and our friend Brenda is in the black sweater. She lives in Manton, Michigan, about an hour south of Traverse City. She showed us some Michigan sights. It was great to see her. It had been 27 years, but we both recognized each other.

Way To Go Iowa

Even though we're in Casper Wyoming tonight, you're looking at pictures from Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa. In order to catch the ferry from Michigan to Wisconsin we had to get up around 5 am. It was very foggy before the sun came up and this slowed us down considerably. The pre-dawn light was beautiful, though.



We made the ferry, and after enduring several bingo games in the warm main lounge we opted for the chillier lounge chairs on the deck. The clouds parted periodically and shafts of light spotlit the water.



The drive southwest, from Manitowoc Wisconsin through Madison, to Dubuque Iowa was beautiful: perfect weather. The landscape was pastoral and lovely. However, much land had given way to a mad sprouting of colonies of homes like in the photo below. I kept hearing the Pretenders' song "Ohio":

I WENT BACK TO OHIO
BUT MY PRETTY COUNTRYSIDE
HAD BEEN PAVED DOWN THE MIDDLE
BY A GOVERNMENT THAT HAD NO PRIDE.
THE FARMS OF OHIO
HAD BEEN REPLACED BY SHOPPING MALLS
AND MUZAK FILLED THE AIR
FROM SENECA TO CUYAHOGA FALLS.
I SAID, A, OH, WAY TO GO, OHIO

Holiday Cards!

There's still time...especially if you think "outside the calender", as I do. Here are four notecards with which to convey your personal level of cheer:



The cards measure about 4.5 x 5.5 inches, come with envelopes, and are blank inside.
They are shown below, at almost life-size:

Santa, Stuffed and Lit
A stuffed Santa doll rests on a window ledge, framed with greenery and basking in the warm glow of yellow lights. From an oil painting, 5 x 7 inches.
Pack of 4 cards: $11.00 ($2.75 each)

Winter Solstice
I'd like to spend a week here with my family and friends, skis, paints, and firewood. From a pencil drawing, 18 x 12 inches.
Pack of 4 cards: $11.00 ($2.75 each)

Poinsettia
A poinsettia leaf illuminated from behind, like a stained glass window. From an oil painting, 7 x 5 inches.
Pack of 4 cards: $11.00 ($2.75 each)

Spread The Joy
Some people are naturally resistant to this season. It is good to treat them gently. From an ink drawing, 7 x 4 inches.
Pack of 4 cards: $11.00 ($2.75 each)

Specifications, How Do I?....and Purchase Information:

Each color image is ink-jet printed on high-gloss photo paper, then glued to a white, 110 lb. notecard.

The two black and white cards are ink-jet printed on "Silver Sparkle" 80 lb. archival notecard stock. This paper gives a subtle snowy effect when light is reflected. See below.


Click on the picture to enlarge.

(red cap is lovingly hand-colored.)

Ordering:
Cards are packed and sold in units of 4 of the same image. If you want more than one pack, first click "Add to Cart", then enter the desired quantity in the appropriate box on the form. To save this information you then have to click "Update Cart". You can go back and forth from your cart to my blog, adding and removing items from your cart. To see your cart, click on the "View Cart" button just below the Spread the Joy cards.

Card prices: $11.00 per pack (4 cards)

Shipping and handling:
Orders up to 13 oz (1 to 5 packs): $3.50. Shipping via USPS first class.
Orders over 13 ounces (6 packs or more): $5.00. Shipping via USPS priority.

Cards and envelopes are carefully packed to prevent damage and shipped in an envelope or small package. According to the USPS website, domestic shipping averages 3 business days.

I prefer payment via PayPal, a secure, easy and fast way to make payments using a credit card or bank account. You do not need to have a PayPal account to use PayPal's secure website. If you click on "Add to Cart" under any card, and then "Proceed to Checkout", and finally on the "Continue" link next to "Don't have a PayPal account?", you'll be able to examine the form. (you can still back out at this point; you're not committed).

You can learn more about PayPal by clicking on the logo below: