JH Land Trust Photography Project

The next two ranches to be posted are properties in the process of going into easement.

It is a great privilege to see and shoot these beautiful properties and the people who not only own the properties but also love them enough to secure there status as endlessly valuable lands.

Fall like summer...

FALL like summer this year seems to be over before it really started. Many aspens have not yet turned but the ones that have have done so with grandeur.

Tomorrow's forecast for northwest Wyoming is rain/snow. Looking ahead - always disbelieving, muttering what to they know - a trend seems to be apparent. No doubt an image of ice covered gold will, in time, follow.

Fall "Bounty"

Frustrated farmers we are out here on the prairie. The combination of one of the country's shortest growing season and living in the midst of a sizable wildlife corridor has made it clear to us, after really pitiful gardens of munched and frozen hopes, that the pots on the deck are the best we can do.

The change in the weather means harvest time. Alright! Ok! So its just herbs and just baskets but would cha look at the pride on that face!?!

Nature's Bouquet

Summer is too short, its true. And a mantra often repeated here in north western Wyoming is " I'm not ready!" Still the change of season has brought glorious days and swiftly changing leaves.

A Fine Morning

These September days have been glorious and how grateful I am to live in a place where a good hike with friends is how most days start.

Yesterday my friend Suzanne and my dog nephew Sammy and I went along the crest trail at the top of Teton Pass stopping at one of my favorite places - a point that overlooks the valley, Snake River snaking it's way through it, The Tetons to the left and Bridger Teton Park to the right.

Moran Fire Department Barbeque

loads of homemade food...
informal affair..(!)......
the best C&W music in town.....
time to catch up with Buffalo Valley friends.....
and RIBS.

Grand Tetons, Grand Ole Flag

Grand out here in Wyoming.

Ring Lake Ranch, "renewal in sacred wilderness"

Ring Lake Ranch

The ranch manager, the person who stays at the ranch year round is Ben. His new bride is Amanda. Together they exude the spirit of the place.

The organization, appreciative of the contribution this young couple makes to the ranch, is in the process of adding a fine new addition to the original manager's cabin. The place was very nearly completed when I visited and I could see from the large windows the vast land that so inspires those who come.

It is so wonderful that this land will always look as it does.

" The opportunity to steward a place like this comes along once in a lifetime." - Ben

Land in Easement

Land in easement with Jackson Hole Land Trust includes Ring Lake Ranch in Dubois.
It is a beautiful ranch and very different from others so far shown in that it is, during the summer, an ecumenical camp for adults. It has a rich and impressive history of accomplishing it's mission: renewal in sacred wilderness. It is a place that lends itself to contemplation as well as hiking and horse back riding.

This land appears sacred in many ways, the beautiful and vast lake below the cabins, the wildlife that thrive here particularly during the winter and, most impressive, the petroglyphs. You can see one pictured above with one of the presenters who served as well as director of the ranch for 10 years, Joan Guntzelman. This particular petroglyph is, by the way called "Yo Yo Man". Think you can the wee man and his yo yo.

The present director of the Ranch is Carl Koch who is ably assisted by his wife Joan. Carl leads the morning presentation focusing on thoughts for the day. These thoughts often can lead to discussions at other meals. In the image above Carl is deep in discussion related to the morning comments.

www.ringlakeranch.com

more Ring Lake images to follow!

Babies

Borrowed from Jolies blog!

Wine and Wella?

While off on a recent shoot I was killing time, walking around the town, checking things out.

I heard an uproarious good time taking place in a tiny log cabin beauty shop. Seems something has gone a tad wrong with an application of color...a first I was told. The salonista wisely knew exactly how to handle the situation. She pulled out the wine glasses, filled them with white wine and the rest was MERRIMENT. Savy salonista I would say.