Sunsets {The South Dakota Way}

This.
This is the #1 reason why I love South Dakota.
No buildings to distract, no trees in the way (although I deeply love the forest). 

Just the quiet. 
The open.
The sky.

Here's another photograph I took using the panning method. You can see some similar work from the summer, here.
 

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; 

and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands." 

~ Psalm 19:1

Black Friday Sale!

This is the very first year I have ever had a Black Friday sale! 

Everything listed in my shop on Etsy is 15% Off now until Saturday.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Willow Creek Trail

I spent a few days in the Black Hills area this week taking a class. It was later in the day so I had a morning to go hiking. I love exploring new trails and I only had time for a few hours. I settled on the Willow Creek Trail loop. It's only 1.5 miles and fairly easy. There were a few fallen trees blocking the trail that I had to scramble over. The trail up to Mushroom Rock wasn't even noticeable due to trees all over but I managed to find my way up there. The view is just amazing! 

This is Harney Peak from the north side. I shot this from the top of Mushroom Rock.

This is a part of Mushroom Rock. 

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I found this little gem of a waterfall about 10 minutes into the trail, hiking counterclockwise. In order to get this shot I did a bit of bouldering and scrambling, being careful to avoid ice on the rocks surrounding the waterfall.

Murdo Christmas Fair {Tomorrow!!}

One of my first memories of South Dakota is the annual Christmas Fair in Murdo.
My family arrived in town Friday, November 10, 1995 for the weekend and the next day was the fair. We came for my dad to candidate as Pastor at one of the churches. We stayed on a ranch. I'd never been on a ranch before, nor experienced the rolling hills of the prairie. I was in awe!

Now, 20 years later I live on my own ranch and am still awed by the rolling prairie.

The very first time I sold any of my photography was at this very same Christmas Fair in Murdo. I always look forward to it and enjoy spending the day with our community.

I hope to see you there! 

Horses at Sunset {And a Thank You to my Mother-in-Law}

I love my horses. I did not grow up a horse crazy girl. They just weren't something I was around very much, until I married a cowboy. Now I can't imagine a life without them. 

I have my mother-in-law to thank for this. She grew up with horses and then married a farmer/rancher who's family only used team horses for pulling equipment. My mother-in-law soon changed that and raised five cowboys and two cowgirls. 

So, thank you, Mom! You've made an impressionable mark on your family in more than one way.

 

This girl, she always does this! She looks at me in this lovely way and I just can't get enough of her! The questions is: is she really looking at me or off into the distance? 

 

Twilight at twilight. She's the one on the left. A wonderful old gal with only one speed-fast. Sadly, her fast isn't what is used to be now that she's around 22. She's the one who taught me to ride, how to rope, and I trust her without a doubt.