Up and at 'em at the Econo Lodge in Provo Ut. Yesterday saw many miles behind the little Scion. I drove across on the I94 until I hit the road to Casper and headed south. I passed the Little bighorn like I did on my trip in '04 but I did not stop in this time, I just kept on the road. The most memorable part was the drive down the 220 past Independence Rock and Devil's Gate. It was raining at that section and it was beautiful as you could see for miles and watch these downpours move across the valley. I'll post the pictures of this when I get home this evening.

Back in Bismarck for one day. Tomorrow will be spent trying to pay back my Dad for all of his help on the farm and the studio (impossible) by helping around the yard. I'll also try to put some time into posting a few more pictures to this blog. Then it is on the road again to CA. As much as I hate to leave, I do like road trips! Besides, the road really ends at Salinas for my sister's wedding which I am excited about!

My hired hands work on cutting logs while I am away. This is a small windmill my sister and her husband gave me last year. My Dad repaired it this year and put it up again working better than ever.

The barn, it's back now broken, reclines further after 82 years of service, as it too marks the passage of time.

Hollyhocks still grow around the place just like when my grandma was there.

It is with no small amount of sorrow as I cast my last glance across the yard one last time this year.

Just a few of the projects that took place this summer. The window is in on the North side of the studio and the wall is re-sided all the way down. We also repaired the roof on that building and the garage as the wind always tries to remove the shingles. Adrian and Mom put in some work on the flower beds which make the place look great while it was Adrian and Dad that completed the walkway from the studio to the house.

Mom waits patiently in my car for me to finish with the photos. I'll be on the bike again as I look forward to another ride.

My Dad helps clean up the studio after our work on it as we pack up and get ready to head for Bismarck. Man what a mess! Perhaps that mess will make it to the top of the list of projects one of these years and actually get cleaned up.

You can see a couple of shirts I screen printed hanging in the background.

Not all of the work that takes place on the farm is done on the studio, some of it is done in the studio. I put together a small edition of linocuts this year. I enjoy working with traditional media and tools.

Sunrise at the farm over part of my antique farm equipment collection. The light is a bit strange with the heavy atmosphere today.

The sun sets on the prairie with a different spectacle almost every night.

Work continues on the North side of the studio. Additional siding is added along the top of the window.

What do you do when you are tired of working? How about kicking back in the pool and enjoying an ice cold beverage!

If that isn't enough, invite a friend to enjoy it with you. Mom enjoys herself while threatening Dad with a quick dunking by upsetting his raft.

Each year my Dad and I chose a project to work together on. It works well, I have the ideas And he has the initiative and in the end something gets done. This summer's project was to put a window in the North side of the studio.

After a quick oil change on the bike the day before I rode it out to the farm. The ride was fun and it made me wonder why it was that I sold my last bike. Hmm... maybe it is time to get another and ride again. On the way I passed through a small town named Sterling that was celebrating it's 125th anneversary as a town. It only held me up a little bit as the police officer said the parade should be about finished by the time I get there. It was.

This is my Dad's '85 BMW. It rides like you'ld expect it to with a very comfortable riding position.

The kids and Adriana left today for home. Grandma, Grandpa and I were sorry to see them go. The house seemed quiet before we even walked in knowing that part of the life had left it on a plane for CA. We spent the rest of the day running around for supplies to take back to the farm for work on the studio and in the studio. I leave tomorrow morning for the farm and I am looking forward to it.

The old Governor's mansion in Bismarck North Dakota. The ladies pose out in front of the building as it was restored to it's orginal appearence.

Jessi looks for icecream in the icebox and ghosts in the stairwell.

Both girls take advantage of the beautiful day and the time waiting for others as they relax under the shade of a tree on the back lawn of the mansion. This is their last full day in ND as they look forward to the trip home and back on their stay in North Dakota.

All the ladies at the zoo.

What a cute couple.

A walk in the morning down to Apple Creek then off to the zoo! The kids loved ith there and so did I. Jessi and Tori ended their day with a walk by the Missouri river and, of course, 10,000.

Dakota knows best as it is back to Bismarck again to touch base, rest, and resupply. Anika enjoys her first strudle as well as the fruits of her labor later with grandpa. The three big kids pose after roasting marshmallows and making smores. No, that isn't smoke in Jessi's eye. A bit danger proned, Jessi happened to hit the gate with her eye; not much damage, just an additional conversation piece to add to her collection for the next few days.

Fun at the farm with Anika! Friends and family met at the farm today for a pot luck and some great company. The threat of thunderstorms ended the party and provided some additional excitement into the evening.

Tori makes up for lost time with her cousin Anika as we sit and have breakfast in the kitchen at the farm. The warm sunlight promises a beautiful day that will see swimming in the pool, swimming at Green Lake, and waterskiing (That is until I rip the tow rope from the back of the boat- time to lay off of the traditional German-Russian goodness at the dinner table up here!).

The day begins as we say goodbye to Aids while he begins his drive back to California. It ends, as many days end this time of year, with family and fireworks as the Thomassons (which now includes my baby niece) pay a visit, enjoy yard games, and Tori treats us to another pyrotechnic spectacular.

What a great day! The fourth at the North Dakota state capitol saw both native Californians Adriana and Aids on its lawn. The fireworks were great, the music was outstanding, and the company stupendous... it just doesn't get any better than this! (Except for maybe next year!)

Hey girls, it's been a long time since you've shown an interest in purple dinosaurs! Oh, the fun that can be had at the Wishek Park: the world famous mushroom merry-go-round, new friends, and the Duarte construction company!