On the road

I'm working on setting a record for the number of different beds I can sleep in during one summer and the number of hours I can spend in airports. Lately it feels like I've been here there and everywhere. I'm about ready to get back to China to rest up. Ahhhh, and it was only a few weeks ago that I said the same thing about coming back to the States.

One of the most enjoyable stops this summer has been a quick two day trip up to Westbrook. This tiny town in the southwest of Minnesota is the site of some of my fondest childhood memories. For a "city girl" (or more accurately, a suburban girl), life on my great Aunt and Uncle's cattle ranch provided endless amusements. Consequently, the smell of cow manure, mixed with hay, that wonderful black Minnesotan dirt, and sweat is actually a pleasing aroma to me. I love the old barn where I got bottle feed a newborn calf and name numerous kittens. There's the office with coffee, orange drink, and sweet breads. There's the sweetest cowboy you'll ever meet, with boots, hat, and sparkling blue eyes. This year we stayed on my other Great Uncle's farm, just a couple miles from the ranch. There we were treated to fresh picked rasberries, homemade syrup (from trees they tapped in their backyard), and homemade gooseberry jam. I absolutley love the pace of this small town life, and the intense interest in people that is shared all around. It was immensely refreshing to go back and photograph some of the places of my childhood. As always, you can track the journey on my flickr site. Below are a few of my favorite shots from the trip.

My favorite cowboy, Uncle Maurice

Beef, it's what's for dinner.

Scene from the old general store