Dubois, Wyoming | "Where Real Cowboys Work And Play"

We started our Summer Road Trip with a flight into Denver, we then rented a car (a very small car) and drove to Dubois, Wyoming, for our first night's stay.

Dubois is a very quaint small town boasting the tagline "Where Real Cowboys Work And Play." We stayed at the Branding Iron Inn, which turned out to be a small log cabin, just perfect for the two of us. Patty, the owner, is great. She is very helpful and was very understanding with our late check-in. The cabin was very clean, had the one room with a double bed, coffee maker, refrigerator and TV, no air but we really didn't need it. The shower stall was on the small side but overall, just perfect for the stay. 

The next morning we moseyed out and took a look at the "The Worlds Largest Jackapole Exhibit", where I had the rare opportunity to photography Cowboy Rick and Cowgirl Pam, as they saddled up on their jackalopes.

We also saw the largest skull door frame, could be the world's largest. This skull door  was on the building next to the Laundromat and Car Wash. So, do they wash your car first using your dirty laundry and then wash your clothes? No-one was in to answer my question.

We then moseyed our way to the Coyboy Cafe for a mighty good breakfast of eggs, hotcakes, bacon and coffee. 

Every Tuesday and Thursday night the city of Dubois has a "Never Sweat Chuck Wagon and Dinner Show", held outside by what seems to be a old mine. Wish we could have partaken in that. I am sure it would be fun.

Great little stop in a quaint little town. I hope to make it back for another stay.

This is Phil, well that is the name I gave him. The Branding Iron Inn offers free corals, so I am not sure if Phil was visiting or a resident, but he took time for a photo.

Where else can you have a gate entrance that is made from antlers. 

2011 Summer Road Trip

We recently took our big summer trip. A 11-day trip that took us 3100 miles across some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. We traveled across five states, well six if you include a quick drive over the North Dakota border just so we could say that we where there. We saw stunning country; beautiful prairies, big skies that seemed to go on forever, gorgeous sunsets and sunrises, and some of the Midwest's' wildlife. We visited quaint western towns, saw quirky little tourists stops and met some very nice people along our travels, and most important, we had the chance to visit with family and friends. 

In the following days I will have several posts showing many of the stops we made and some the things that we encountered, some of them a little unusual and some of them not so.

Temperature rising

I got in the car at lunchtime the other day and noticed the thermostat reading.

and before I could put my camera away the reading went up a degree...

and then up another degree...

Just plain hot.

Sometimes a spider can be beautiful

Finally, a stop at the Waterfall

On the way to a friend's house I have seen and heard this waterfall, and each time I say "I should stop and take some photos." Well this last time I finally made the stop. Rick and I enjoyed a nice walk around the waterfall at the Altamahaw Paddle Access. This turned out to be a nice place to be on a hot day.

Altamahaw Paddle Access, Elon College

A Quick Stop in Williamsburg, VA

We had a opportunity to make a quick stop in Williamsburg, VA this past weekend. The weather was perfect for a walk through the historic part of town. Since we only had a couple of hours we did not purchase the pass to get into the historic buildings, we saved that for a another trip.

Williamsburg is a beautiful place and was a joy to walk around, even got to enjoy a silly moment.

A Sign of Spring Photo

The photo club to which I belong, has a monthly photo assignment and this month's assignment is the "Signs of Spring".  Each member is allowed to enter up to 3 photos and this is my first one. I hope to catch more signs of spring before the end of the month.

Where is Liam?

Liam is playing hide, hide and we can't seem to find him, can you?

Happy 1st Birthday Jack

One of my favorites photo sessions is that of the baby's first birthday, I love the excitement, the family, the friends and best of all the cake.

Thank you Angela and Jim for inviting me to Jack's 1st Birthday Party and allowing me to capture these sweet moments.

Guilford Courthouse National Military Park | Greensboro, NC

I attended the 230th Anniversary Observance of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The event was held at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park in Greensboro, NC and was my first battle reenactment. I enjoyed the afternoon taking photos and walking around the wonderful park. My three hour tour was not enough for this place, it definitely could have been an all day event.

On March 15, 1781 the largest, most hotly-contested battle of the Revolutionary War's Southern Campaign was fought at the small North Carolina backcounty hamlet of Guilford Courthouse. Guilford Courthouse proved to be the highwater mark of British military operations in the Revolutionary War. Weakened in his campaign against Greene, Cornwallis abandoned the Carolinas hoping for success in Virginia. At Yorktown, seven months after his victory at Guilford Courthouse, Lord Cornwallis would surrender to the combined American and French forces under General George Washington. - You can learn more about Guilford Courthouse online at the National Park Service

The following photos are of the battle reenactment.

After the battle I enjoyed a walk around the park and though some of the camps. I was able to see what daily life would have been like and also catch a glimpse of some of the characters.