A Driftless Drive in Wisconsin

[Darter02]

An after dinner cruise is becoming a habit. We live on the top of a long ridgeline. From here it's a very quick jaunt into lovely valleys and winding, empty roads. I'm going to miss this doorless bliss when Summer's over. Until then, I think I need to make friends with some of these landowners...

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[higbyz]

It's the name of an ancient dragon from Asia. Apalala was able to tame his own heart yet retain and preserve his nature. Though I'm not Buddhist I've spent a lot of time among the Tibetan Monks here in Wisconsin. This particular myth happened to catch my imagination just when I was deciding to name my Wrangler.

The script is Sanskrit and the decals where made by Don of Pixel Decal.

Having spent time with Tibetan monks you might appreciate my wife's Mandala wheel cover . And the view from my driveway which you can see beyond the vehicles!

 

[Darter02]

Having spent time with Tibetan monks you might appreciate my wife's Mandala wheel cover . And the view from my driveway which you can see beyond the vehicles!

Nice! I just completed one of the most intense photography jobs I've ever had the pleasure of doing. Now, I'm not a Buddhist, more agnostic in fact, but I have to admit they've a lovely religious philosophy. One of the top Lama's came here from India. Tibetans from all over the region gathered. I was on this shoot for nearly two weeks. Amazing, kind and generous is how they treat me.

Who knew the wisdom of Tibet would be here in Wisconsin?

My Jeep was also part things. Since I'd be on site so early, and carried so much camera gear it was closer to the Temple. Everyone passed by and some knew what I named it. I had some interesting conversations with folks.

 

[higbyz]

The bottom pic of all the people looks very much like a Mandala. That is a beautiful shot ! The energy is pulsating! Cosmic wisdom and energy is all around. (even in Wisconson)

 

[Snayte]

Great pics thanks for sharing. I cannot wait to get down that way again, some of your drive looks very familiar to me.

 

[Darter02]

Today my wife sent me to the "mega-store" to get household supplies. From where I live I can either drive into the larger city, or go cross country to a smaller city. Both are about the same distance. Highway or back roads through the ridges?? Hmmm...

 

[Darter02]

Secret confession time. My wife travels for work a lot. I sort of enjoy when she's away because I can take up both sides of our garage.

 

[Darter02]

We found ourselves suddenly free. The kid didn't want to go anywhere and the weather was nice. Although pop-up storms where swinging past they all seemed to be East/Southeast. It was a perfect time to go grab some wood fired pizza from a nearby town, taking back roads of course. Mineral Point just happened to having "Gallery Night." Thankfully I installed that Slipstream and had emptied out my work gear. We came back full of excellent food and a haul of art loot. We pulled in just after dark and as I closed the garage door it began to rain.

 

[Darter02]

Here's one from last night that my wife just texted me. I'm starting to dread when I have to put the top and doors on...

 

[Darter02]

Just a few shots from this week's rambling around my "hood." Plus a few bonus shots from a couple of the photo jobs I had. I've found that the Slipstream enclosure really works for me when it comes to transporting my camera gear around.

 

[Darter02]

Oh, and I found this awesome spot to view the Blue Mounds from.

 

[Memphis Peej]

Let me just say this is an absolutely beautiful thread. I’ve enjoyed reading your descriptions and looking at your wonderful photography. My wife is from Wisconsin though now we live in Memphis. We usually travel to Wisconsin at least once a year in the summer. I absolutely have to visit this area.

 

[Darter02]

Let me just say this is an absolutely beautiful thread. I’ve enjoyed reading your descriptions and looking at your wonderful photography. My wife is from Wisconsin though now we live in Memphis. We usually travel to Wisconsin at least once a year in the summer. I absolutely have to visit this area.

Thanks! So far it's just been stuff very local to our home. I'll have to drive to the Mississippi soon to capture the terrain there. It's very scenic. I figured this was just a fun way to share how much my Wrangler enhances the experience.

 

[Midwesttrekker]

Following! What an amazing thread. I rode my Triumph Tiger motorcycle up through western Wisconsin last year in the fall on my way up to Lake Superior and Thunder Bay. Wisconsin was amazing.

If you ever find yourself wandering down the Mississippi to Missouri, let me know.

 

[Darter02]

It's been a hectic period here in Mount Horeb. My wife's traveling for business, the kid now has two activities/day and my house is under renovation so there's contractors and all sorts of crap to do. That means less free time to go rolling around the Driftless. Oh, it's also been raining a lot so I had to put my doors and top back on. Naturally my mirrors came in the mail AFTER I ran around sans doors for nearly four weeks...

I had two photo shoots on the same day. One was at an art studio that's tucked away on a Driftless ridge, the other was close to the center of Madison. The first was capturing glass art, the second were portraits of folks participating in our White Collar Boxing event. I figured I'd post about how I use my Jeep to lug gear around.

I installed the Slipstream just to keep my camera gear safe. I'd looked at a number of options when it came to choosing one. What sold me was the little door that opens in front. I can fit my C-stands into it! (A secured apple crate full of heavy gear is used to wedge against the opening from inside so no one can get into it.)

The last photo is my copilot. I figured I'd bring the kid along to my first shoot. She'd see her dad trying to capture a difficult medium and get to interact with my artist customer. What a fun life experience! Nope, she chilled in the Jeep playing on her phone the whole time...

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