09-01-16 Out in the Middle of Somewhere

Two numbers: 1100 or 11? (read more)

By Scott Shephard

When I finally get my drone-mounted camera (Deb, are you reading this?), I might finally be able to give you an idea of the immense scale of Lake Oahe. I might also be able to give you a better impression of the Mission Creek/Little Bend area of the Missouri River. It’s a place I have often referred to as “one of my favorite places on earth.”

I just returned from spending the better part of three days here and during those days, I saw two other boats – one fishing boat and one pontoon boat. That’s it. At the end of August, vacations end, school starts and the fish stop biting. That’s when this stretch of the Missouri River becomes an especially perfect place to get away from it all.

I am in flyover country in many places when I travel across South Dakota. Does that mean that I am in the “middle of nowhere?” I don’t think so. And even if it is, it’s where I want to be. Consider this: New Jersey has 1,110 people per square mile; South Dakota has 11. And on the day I took this photo, I’m guessing I had about 30 square miles all to myself.

And in South Dakota, I’m always in the middle of Somewhere.

Olympus TG-4 1/250s f/8.0 ISO100 4.5mm (35mm eq:25mm)

 

08-18-16 What I Like About Summer

It was a picture-perfect morning. (read more)

By Scott Shephard

Frankly, there are many things I like about summer. But high on the list is being in Mission Creek on a perfect summer morning like yesterday. For those unfamiliar with Lake Oahe, Mission Creek is a tiny little part of a huge reservoir that goes from just north of Pierre, SD, to Bismarck, ND.

A breeze blew all night long while I was at anchor but just after sunrise, the wind stopped leaving the lake mirror-like. Later, when I was heading “home” the wind picked up and since it was coming out of the direction I had to go, I sailed 30 miles to go 12. Such is the nature of sailing. And I enjoyed every bit of it.

Canon 5DIII f/5.6 ISO200 16mm (3 frame HDR)