The Badlands - 1

The Badlands Badlands National Park South Dakota One of the most fascinating places I've ever seen are The Badlands of South Dakota. The first time I visited here it was a National Monument, I was 5 years old, and it was cold and blustery. Interestingly this visit was fairly similar, a little bit warmer but the wind was ridiculous. Nonetheless the views were spectacular a rugged colorful landscape giving way to miles of never ending prairie.

Needles - 1

Cathedral Spires Needles Highway Custer State Park South Dakota The second largest state park in the lower 48, Custer State Park in South Dakota, in my opinion should be a National Park, it has everything, rolling prairies, incredible views and then there's Needles Highway. One of the most incredible roads I've ever been on, as for 14 miles it winds through and around towering granite outcroppings that reach towards the sky, this section here is called the Cathedral Spires. We arrived as the sun was setting, and although there was some spectacular light going on it was to the left and was unframable. As light would fade to darkness we would have to return the next day to finish the trip though this incredible and beautiful natural wonder.

Mt. Roosevelt

Sunset Friendship Tower Mt. Roosevelt Black Hills National Forest Deadwood, South Dakota Sunset at the summit of Mt. Roosevelt was perhaps one of the most spectacular scenes I've seen in some time. Located just a few miles outside Deadwood, South Dakota Lisa and I decided make the short hike to the 5800 ft. summit, little did we realize we were walking into history as in 1919 Seth Bullock, the first sheriff of Deadwood, had a two story observation tower built upon the peak to to honor his good friend, President Theodore Roosevelt. At the top you could see for miles in all directions, it was chilly, about 45 degrees and it began to mist as we waited, the wind blew, then to watch the sun drop below the clouds as the rays of light ran up the mountain and envelope us in a golden glow was a moment that neither her or I will ever forget.

Mt. Rushmore - 1

Mt. Rushmore Mt. Rushmore National Monument Keystone, South Dakota For those of you who have never visited Mt. Rushmore, it's an incredible human creation featuring 4 of our greatest presidents sculpted into the face of a granite mountain top. Nearing the end of our first full day there we decided to make the one hour drive to watch the National Park Service hold a lighting ceremony on the mountain face. Truly one of the most moving vacation experiences I've ever enjoyed.

Mt. Rushmore - 2

Mt. Rushmore Mt. Rushmore National Monument Keystone, South Dakota I'll have to admit, one of the coolest places to visit in our great country is Mt. Rushmore. When I visited it a couple weeks ago I felt a combination of awe and patriotism as it reminded me of what it means to be an American. One really doesn't realize the size and the effort that it took to carve the faces of these 4 great patriots into the granite without seeing it in person, it truly is a work of art.

Un-named Waterfall

Mine Run Off Homestake Mine Lead, South Dakota I just love surprises and if it had not been for my good friend Bryan Janosick having his window down in the back seat while driving between Lead and Deadwood South Dakota our first evening there, I may not have even noticed that there was a roadside waterfall. After a delicious dinner in Lead a few evenings later I thought I'd drive over and get a few shots of it. Once I got out of the car it was quite obvious that this wasn't a natural waterfall as the water flows directly out of the same mountain as the massive Homestake Mine which until 2002 was the largest and deepest gold mine in the world. The falls cascades about 30 ft. down the mountain side then drops about 5 ft. into a roadside culvert. Here I featured on the last few feet of the waterfall. For you fans of the TV show Deadwood, George Hurst, played by Gerald McRaney, staked the claim on the Homestake Mine in 1876.

Roughlock Falls - 1

Roughlock Falls Roughlock Falls State Park Spearfish Canyon The Black Hills, South Dakota Roughlock Falls is considered the most beautiful falls in the area and I surely couldn't argue with that claim. Here, I concentrated on the cascade in the foreground as it passes by on it's way to Spearfish Canyon.

Roughlock Falls - 2

Roughlock Falls Roughlock Falls State Park Spearfish Canyon The Black Hills, South Dakota Featured in the film Dances With Wolves, Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon is one of the more beautiful waterfalls I've had the opportunity to lay eyes on. Usually I'll hop off trail for different perspectives but in this case you are restricted to the boardwalk due to how quickly the landscape is eroding, somewhere I read that the falls has receded into the canyon 300 ft. in the last 300 years. Nonetheless, it's quite worth the visit and in my opinion one of the most beautiful places in The Black Hills of South Dakota.

Roughlock Falls - 3

Roughlock Falls Roughlock Falls State Park Spearfish Canyon The Black Hills, South Dakota The Black Hills of South Dakota, truly one of the most beautiful and interesting places I've ever been. One of my favorites that I visited on the trip was Roughlock Falls located in Spearfish Canyon. Normally I would climb all over the place for different perspectives but due to how sensitive the area is to erosion I had to stay on the designated trail. After all, it's only fair for those that follow me get the chance to bask in the splendor of this beautiful place.

Sioux Falls - 1

In my opinion, this falls is one of the most unique I've ever seen since most of the falls I see are surrounded in foliage. Myself, my other half Lisa and good friend Bryan Janosick arrived to the falls before sunrise and to my joy a thick cloud cover had moved in overnight. As the sun rose it did it's best to illuminate the clouds overhead creating a warm glow among a sea of blue and blacks as the unusual colors of the rock surrounding the falls make for a unique and beautiful scene.

Sioux Falls - 2

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the ultra-unique Sioux Falls in Falls Park in the city of Sioux Falls South Dakota. Located just outside the city's downtown, the landscape is certainly something I'm not used to as the falls is in an open plain with little trees but what it lacks in foliage it certainly makes up for it in landscape.

Sioux Falls - 3

Out of all the waterfalls I visited on our trip to South Dakota, Sioux Falls is my favorite even though it was very urban, very open and downwind from the John Morrell Killing Plant (an unrelenting smell of pig poop). The landscape is so unique, there were so many perspectives to shoot the falls from and the mixture of colors were simply unreal!

Spearfish Falls - 1

When I made the short hike down to Spearfish Falls in Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota I wasn't really sure what to expect. I had seen some images of the falls but the pictures really didn't seem to reveal any beauty, and boy was I surprised, what a lovely setting as the falls plunges 47 ft as Spearfish Creek rolls past. I was pretty much limited to the observation area for this falls, not because of posted restrictions, but simply because the creek was pretty deep, it was 29 degrees out and I just wasn't in the mood for cold wet feet.

Spearfish Falls - 2

so lets take a journey back to a cool September morning in South Dakota where it was 30 degrees and I was in my shorts. It was the last day of my trip to the Black Hills and I got up before sunrise and made the drive down into Spearfish Canyon to make the short trek to the beautiful Spearfish Falls. Although I had seen several photographs of the falls I fully expected to be visiting a pretty lame scene. Boy was I wrong. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful falls I'd visit last year and was truly a special moment as I stood there and soaked in the sounds and scenery all by myself until the first rays of the sun hit the falls.

Spearfish Falls - 3

On the last day there I decided to get up before dawn and head down to Spearfish Canyon to capture Spearfish Falls. After spending a long summer of Northern Kentucky heat and humidity it was below freezing when I began my short trek to the falls, a very welcome change. I really wasn't sure what I was in store as many of the snapshots I saw seemed to paint a dull picture of boring surroundings, but to my surprise it was more than I could have ever dreamed as the falls drops about 40 ft into the passing Spearfish Creek, truly a gem of the Black Hills National Forest. I spent a while here, not just photographing the falls but just standing and watching the water rush by. There is truly something peaceful and relaxing when it's just you and a beautiful waterfall.

Spokane - 1

Abandoned Car Black Hills National Forest The Ghost Town Of Spokane South Dakota In my research for the trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota I discovered there was an abandoned mining town that was on public lands and I couldn't resist stopping by. Mostly deserted by the end of the 1950's several decaying cars scatter what's left of the city of Spokane as well as a few buildings including a leaning schoolhouse who's bee infested walls are going to collapse any day now.

Spokane - 2

You know what I like almost as much as waterfalls? Very old abandoned cars. Exactly 3 years ago at this moment I was shooting a group of old cars in the abandoned mining town of Spokane, South Dakota. Located just outside Custer State Park in The Black Hills National Forest, the ghost town was founded in 1890 and was quite prosperous up until 1940 when the mine closed down. The town has been officially abandoned since 1980 but for the most part no one has lived there since the 1960s. We spent quite some time shooting the many cars here, a few from the early 50's and a few from the 1930's. I really loved the graffiti on this old clunker.