Missouri/Kansas Bicycle Trip

On Monday, August 26, I traveled to Joplin, Missouri to visit and bike with my friend, David Summerlin. David is a photographer, and has a studio in Joplin (http://www.summerlinstudio.com/). I always enjoy visiting with David. Not only is he a very talented photographer, but also a great all-around guy. He always has a very positive attitude! David had started biking earlier this year, and had been inviting me to come up some Monday and ride. Was a great ride. Weather could not have been more perfect. We rode west from his studio into Kansas. We finished with a nice 33 mile ride.
Ok, Dave, time to come down and do a ride with me!


Roads look much different than what I usually ride, long straight roads with few hills!
Ok, so it's a bit hard to shoot a photo while riding!
Less than 7 miles into our ride, I had to stop and fix a flat tire on my bike. I hit something in the road that caused the puncture. I think that's the first time I've had to fix a bike flat in 2 or 3 years while on the road! I always carry a few tools, including a patch kit and pump or CO2 cartridges. After a quick stop, it was back on the road again!
Lunch time! Great BBQ pork sandwich at the Smokehouse in Baxter Springs, KS. I love to check out new eating establishments. Always thought it would be fun to do a road trip and not eat at any chain restaurants, just experience the local flavor. This one was a pleasant surprise. Good food. Good Price (less than $6 for pulled pork sandwich and cole slaw). Friendly and fast service!
Hmmm, maybe I should do a big ride and write some sort of "food guide". Could combine 3 of my favorites. . . eating, biking, and photography!

We stopped and did a photo shoot on a bridge on old Route 66, goofed off awhile, just north of Baxter Springs. David's portrait on Route 66 bridge.
This is Russ, a friend of David's, who also likes to bike. The Three Amigos. . .David, myself, and Russ. Camera in "timer" mode.
Another bridge, this one near Riverton, KS. Was a dam in the background. Had to watch for cars, so Russ wouldn't get run over while taking the photo.

Looks like these workers may have been doing repair work on this dam. Looks likes lots of logs have washed over the dam.

Soon To Celebrate 30 Years In Business!

Can you believe that our studio is almost 30 years old?
In October 1978, I quit my job and started working in photography full time. I had worked for a couple years for Larimer Publications in Green Forest, as a darkroom technician. I also covered some high school and jr high football and basketball games.
When I began photography full time, we didn't even have a studio! We lived in a 12'x60' mobile home, located in the yard where we now photograph. I had a portable background that I'd set up in the living room, and also did lots of outdoor portraits. We also did many weddings.
From Thanksgiving until Christmas of that year, we never seen our kitchen table, as it was covered with photography orders. In January 1979, we began building our studio building.
Beginning in next month (September 2008), we will be celebrating our 30 years in business. Be watching our web site for specials on most all our services during the coming year. We will be introducing new services, especially for children's portraits. Stop by and visit us at the Carroll County Fair!

Are We Having Fun???

This year for Father's Day, Lajunta bought me a bike trailer, big enough to haul two kids. I thought it was a bit premature, as I didn't think the grandbabies were big enough to ride. I first rode Reagan a time or two (she's now 7 months). Then last week, I put Ian in the bike, he's just 4 months. They both love it!

I've ridden them several times, each time I stopped, not because they were restless, but because I was tired (I ride them in the yard mostly, not easy riding).
Last Friday we put them both in for the first time. Probably rode them for 30 minutes. Ian went to sleep, Reagan almost did. They seemed very contented!
Yesterday, they both got fussy while Lajunta was rocking them in the house. I took them out, put them in the trailer, and took off. After about 30 minutes, they were both asleep! So I unhooked the trailer, and pulled it inside the house, so they could sleep. Lajunta watched them til they woke up.

Here are 4 of the hundred or so photos Lajunta took of me riding them. As you can see, they are secure. There is a shoulder harness and a seat belt. Plus we keep a close eye on them. We do have little bike helmets for them, but with two in there, sort of afraid they might hurt each other.