Looking for the Green in Siouxland, Rural Iowa

As the temperatures in the Siouxland region continue to rise, albeit slowly, I look forward to once again getting into my vehicle and driving about. Seeking whatever is over the next rise or pausing to enjoy the scene just outside my windshield.

Rural Plymouth County, Iowa, Monday, May 25, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Blue skies will return and the grass and surrounding countryside will begin to green up, leaving behind that barren winter look.

Near Smithland, Iowa rural Woodbury County Thursday, May 28, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Having grown up in the country, I enjoy tooling down a country road, be it gravel or black top. Not driving especially fast so that I can enjoy what I see and the quiet one generally finds in the country. Stop and listen, and you might hear birds, the wind, crickets, if it’s nearer dusk or evening and what some might call the sound of silence. Well, maybe to a city dweller.

Rural Plymouth County, Iowa, Monday, May 25, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The view can be expansive, even in the Midwest like in Siouxland, or a closer view of a country scene. While the photos themselves can’t relate all of the experience like freshly mowed alfalfa in a field, a nearby stockyard or the damp smell created by newly plowed earth or after a fresh rain, they can set up the experience to which a viewer if they so desire, then makes an effort to experience the same themselves.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Rural Plymouth County, Iowa, Monday, May 25, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Finding Passion in Siouxland, Ashton

A couple of years ago or so  I ran across a gentleman in the small Siouxland community of Ashton who was pursuing his love and passion of collecting and restoring older farm tractors. Maybe passion is a strong word to use, but Lloyd Baker, who previously worked for a local tractor dealer for a number of years, had a number of tractors sitting around his garage in the small community waiting for some individual attention.

Lloyd Baker laughs a little as he talks about collecting and refurbishing tractors, especially John Deere tractors, almost his entire life, and keeps an ongoing changing collection in Ashton, Iowa, March 29, 2015. (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

 

Lloyd Baker currently has a collection of 52 tractors he is planning on refurburshing sitting around his workplace in Ashton, Iowa, March 29, 2015. He works on different tractor models of different brands, but especially likes John Deere tractors. (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

He said he enjoys getting the older agricultural workhorses running again and doesn’t discriminate against make or model. I saw him recently participating in a tractor pull at the Grand Meadow Heritage Festival near Washta. Pulling the sled with ease with his John Deere Tractor.

Lloyd Baker of Ashton, Iowa participates in a tractor pull for “antique” tractors at the Grand Meadow Heritage Festival near Washta, Iowa Saturday Sept. 9, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

It’s always nice to meet people who enjoy a hobby and doesn’t mind spending time trying to get things right. Restoring older tractors can be a challenge to either find existing parts or making them yourself to get the machinery functioning again.

Part of Lloyd Baker’s collection of tractors he plans on refurbishing is an Economy, circa late 1930’s, made by Sears & Roebuck Co. that he acquired. Baker said the tractor was shipped to the buyer and then required assembly, seen at his work place in Ashton, Iowa, March 29, 2015. (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

And then to participate in friendly competitions with other collectors and restorers to see whose tractor performs best is just a throw back to those county fair competitions I remember as a child, hearing the grandstand roar as the favorite does well. With winter seemingly finally coming to an end with a recent late snow storm, I hope to drive some more back roads and find other people pursuing their passion or maybe just enjoying their “retirement” in a way that makes them happy.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Lloyd Baker currently has a collection of 52 tractors he is planning on refurburshing sitting at his workplace in Ashton, Iowa, March 29, 2015. He works on different tractor models of different brands, but especially likes John Deere tractors. (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

Lloyd Baker’s collection includes a rare propane fuel John Deer tractor, at his work place in Ashton, Iowa, March 29, 2015. (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

One of two shops where Lloyd Baker works on refurbishing tractors, especially John Deere tractors, which he done almost his entire life. Baker said he keeps an ongoing changing collection in Ashton, Iowa, March 29, 2015. (photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

Lloyd Baker, Ashton, Iowa, heads to the tractor pull line up during the Grand Meadow Heritage Festival near Washta, Iowa Saturday Sept. 9, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Finding Red in Siouxland, Vermillion, SD

While looking through some files for a friend I came across an image I made during an outing for my Photo Safari class that I teach at a local community college. As a class we make trips to various places and photograph. The very last class everyone brings their favorite 25 images and we compare notes and talk about what everyone has done.

The image I came across is of a red flower. Not a grand image, but it was what I found that day. I reflected on the fact that it’s not a rose and so not appropriate for a Valentine’s Day remark, but it is blooming, still, among green grass and that made me think of spring.

I know it’s coming. It will be here soon. And this winter has not been bad. But I for one will be happy when spring arrives.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Blooming flowers at the University of South Dakota, in Vermillion, South Dakota, May 2, 2015. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Thinking of Siouxland’s Greener Pastures

A few days ago the Siouxland region received a slight blizzard. Whiteout conditions for practically all of northwest Iowa and I and many others had the pleasure of clearing 14 inches of snow from our walks and driveways. Mother Nature’s way of ensuring people get a little exercise during the colder months. And now the temperatures are dropping again to below zero. All of this following the little rodent’s (Punxsutawney Phil) prediction of an early spring. And thinking of spring has me thinking of once again getting out and getting lost on some of Iowa’s back roads looking for scenics and other out of the way areas that I can photograph and share.

I really like to be shooting all the time, but that isn’t always possible, but then it doesn’t hurt to daydream a little in anticipation of hitting the road again.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A fence line in rural Monona County, Iowa, Thursday, May 28, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A barn situated off old Highway 141 in rural Woodbury County, Iowa, Thursday, May 28, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A pastoral scene with a Holga plastic lens at Stone State Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, Oct. 4, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

 

Wistful thinking in Siouxland about next summer

The last couple of days have been rainy, as it was a bit last week. The temps are still decent though. This time of year in November, having a couple inches of rain is nice instead of some inches of snow. I like snow, and snowshoeing. I just don’t know if I am ready yet. For the shoveling, slick roads and yes, cooler temps. Snow is forecast in a few days, which is okay, but two nights of lows are predicted to be 10 and 12 degrees. That is just too cold. Although before next summer, it will get colder. Throw in some of the prairie wind gusts, and below zero is a real possibility.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A line of clouds dot the sky in rural Plymouth County, Iowa, Monday, May 25, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Clouds dot the skyline behind a farm in rural Plymouth County, Iowa, Monday, May 25, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A spring day in rural Plymouth County, Iowa, Monday, May 25, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Celebrating an anniversary, Arnolds Park Amusement Park

I kind of missed this particular event. Never a fan of amusement parks, the Arnolds Park Amusement Park though celebrated its 125th anniversary. It is home to one of the oldest wooden roller coaster rides in the U.S. I am not a lover of rides and so have never gotten excited about traveling to amusement parks. But it is something of a testament to the community spirit of Arnolds Park and those who love the history and tradition of this particular amusement park set in Siouxland’s northwest Iowa, nestled along the lakes in that area. Not everyone can celebrate a 125th birthday and still look good for their age.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

The wooden roller coaster is celebrating 125 years of service at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Tuesday, June 23, 2015, located off of Lake Okoboji. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The wooden roller coaster is celebrating 125 years of service at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Tuesday, June 23, 2015, located off of Lake Okoboji. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The wooden roller coaster is celebrating 125 years of service at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Tuesday, June 23, 2015, located off of Lake Okoboji. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The wooden roller coaster is celebrating 125 years of service at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Tuesday, June 23, 2015, located off of Lake Okoboji. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The wooden roller coaster is celebrating 125 years of service at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Tuesday, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Small communities in Siouxland, Cherokee

I like driving to the small communities in Siouxland. Each has its own charm and it;s nice to just hang out there, walking about and getting a chance to learn more about it. When I visited Cherokee, Iowa, a few months back to attend its annual rodeo, I also took some time to walk around its downtown and to explore it a bit more. And I found it a nice visit. Like all small towns in Iowa, its downtown is filled with early constructed buildings that is an anchor and lends charm to the community. But like a lot of small towns, it too struggles to keep itself vibrant and growing. The slower pace of life and possibly fewer offerings are not liked by all, but unless one wants to live in a megalopolis, smaller communities can offer their own way of life that many find attractive.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A quiet walk way gives a short break to any hustle and bustle in downtown Cherokee, Iowa, Saturday, May 30, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The entrance to a short walk way away from city streets in downtown Cherokee, Iowa, Saturday, May 30, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

In the Book Vine bookstore in Cherokee Iowa, Saturday, May 30, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Hanging plants decorate the downtown in Cherokee Iowa, Saturday, May 30, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Part of downtown in Cherokee Iowa, Saturday, May 30, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Older building are still in use in downtown Cherokee Iowa, Saturday, May 30, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

During the Cherokee Rodeo days a rodeo princess gets her photo taken next to the CHerokee Welcome sign prior to the parade and rodeo in Cherokee Iowa, Saturday, May 30, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A photograph of early days in Cherokee, Iowa, Saturday, May 30, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Outbuildings in Siouxland, Everly

Driving through other parts in the northern part of Siouxland I sometimes struggle to find something that catches my eye to photograph. And sometimes it is only one thing. I passed through the small town of Everly, Iowa, a while ago. When I saw the name, it reminded me of a singing duo, the Everly Brothers that some people might remember and others have never heard of them. But as I drove about town, there didn’t seem to be many other sites appealing to me photographically, for what I was looking for, and in no way imparts a judgement about the community.

An older shack sits in an empty lot in Everly, Iowa, Tuesday, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And sometimes one just doesn’t know what is there until you happen upon it. And as I drive around these parts of Iowa, I am always up for a look see, because you never know what is beyond that next hill.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Simple themes in Siouxland

When I teach some of my photo courses at the local community college I tell students that at times, most times really, it is better to keep things simple than trying to be too complex. I “give assignments” to those taking my classes so they can concentrate on executing some simple tasks, like making photographs with leading lines or color or using thirds. I tell them that most photographs have a number of intersecting compositional techniques. But the most important thing is to make your subject matter, no difference what it is, the dominant element in your photograph so that whatever compositional technique is utilized, the viewer knows what they should be seeing or getting their attention. Less is more, or the more adroit saying, KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid) which is probably not politically correct anymore.

Too many times I see a good photograph, or the possibility of one, but there are too many competing elements within the frame, so the viewer is not quite certain where their attention should be focused. That is where the dominant element should always come into play.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Tree buds were blooming on a sunny day in Le Mars, Iowa, April 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry Mennenga©)

an old barn off of Highway 18 in rural Clay County, Iowa, Tuesday, June 23, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Small towns in Siouxland, Elk Point

This is a probably a theme I return to often when writing on my blog. The Siouxland area is vastly populated with small towns, hamlets and unincorporated areas that were thriving communities in another era. But today, some are more thriving than others. And some are thriving, but maybe not to the extent at their founding fathers and current leaders would like. But the crystal ball never really gives up its secrets where the future is concerned.

Elk Point, South Dakota, is a small community across the state line from Iowa and across the Big Sioux River. It is in small communities that many people like to raise their families. Low crime, you know your neighbor and kids can be kids without the harsh realities of larger cities. And it harkens to that rose colored glass look at what life was like in those “simpler” times. Although simpler today was probably not simpler then.

jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A stately home in Elk Point, South Dakota, Wednesday, May 13, 2015. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An unused building in Elk Point, South Dakota, Wednesday, May 13, 2015, has a nice appearance in design. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A number of buildings in Elk Point, South Dakota, on the main drag date from the late 1800’s, and still provide a stately appearance to the small community’s downtown area, Wednesday, May 13, 2015. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)