Ron Shoots

When I’m shooting landscapes “on the road” I never quite know where I’ll end up. I make a general plan like “head west” then go with whatever seems best.

Minnesota and most of the midwest are cleaning up from a major snowstorm that started two days ago. I waited out one day, then headed right into the storm to see if I could shoot some of those “bad weather” images that are hard to find. The landscape was quite dramatic and I enjoyed every new scene… although standing outside in the wind and snow for very long was not an option!

(Driving the back roads… 15 degrees + 45mph = wind chill minus 9)

Cruising all two lane roads, I finally ended up on I-29 in the northern part of South Dakota. Not much traffic- good thing- the interstate was a sheet of ice with 3′ drifts across some of the lanes. After 30 miles with darkness closing in, I could see flashing lights ahead… just another snowplow I thought, then I realized the sign was flashing “ROAD CLOSED” as the 45mph gusts whipped more snow into what had become regular white-out conditions. No problem, I’ll get a room and start out early in the morning.

No Vacancy

Yeah right… every hotel at the last exit was booked, and I soon learned that every hotel for 100 miles around was sold out. The clerk at the Super 8 then said, “I believe they opened a shelter for stranded travelers. Turn right at the American Legion, go down that road past all the streets with tree names until you come to Chestnut, then at Main you’ll find the Red Cross set-up in the Catholic Church.” So off I went, past Oak, past Pine, Maple, then finally Chestnut.

(Accommodations at the Red Cross shelter in Sisseton, South Dakota)

I signed in and joined about 30 other snow-weary travelers… several Canadians, an Amish family, college kids on break. You just never know where you might spend the night…

Many thanks to the Red Cross volunteers of Sisseton, South Dakota! These folks are the best!