Exploring the Heartland

[rtbaum]

On this weekend, whilst the rest of Minnesota hit the roads for north woods, I headed the opposite direction to the southwestern part of the state. My destination lay a two and half hour drive away, crossing through some of the richest farm land on earth. Pre-settlement, this was tallgrass prairie as far as the eye could see. Bison, elk, and woolly mammoth ranged the grassland, pursued by little bipeds with pointy sticks. Things have changed in the last 10,000 years, the elk and mammoth are gone, the bison live in fenced enclosures for our pleasure. The tallgrass prairie has been replaced by corn and soybeans.



I think that one of a small minority that actually enjoys driving across farmland. The key is to get off the super highway and drive the state and county two lanes and experience the small towns with huge grain elevators. There are hidden places to be found off the main highway.

About halfway, I came across the little town of Gibbon where I heard the sirens call...Bakery!.



I don't know about your neck of the woods, but here in Minnesota, the small bakery has been increasingly replaced a gas station with a rack of anemic, half stale excuses of mass produced abomination. Walking in the door, I was greeted by two lovely lasses with flour on their aprons who immediately asked about my day, where I was from, and where was I going.



Seated at a simple table, This gentlemen immediately engaged me in conversation. My choice of bavarian creme over the white stuff met with approval and marked me as One of Germanic descent.....the same as 3/4 of Minnesota. Grabbing my two bavarian creme long johns, I pulled up a chair and we chatted about whatever came to mind. Politics came up, we both decided that we had mighty slim pickings this time around.



Thought that I would try some of that there Street Photography, damn near got runned over.........sorry.....I couldn't resist



The Gibbon fire station, built in 1895, is clearly a source of great civic pride



And it was back on the road to a spot that I have been itching to attempt to capture with this fancy camera outfit that I have assembled over time........More to come.....

[Digital]

Randy, very nice photos, and narrative.


Bruce

[dennybeall]

Like all three. The third could of used some fill flash but still good as is.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.