I’ve loved this wooden post marking the northwest corner of the Double Ditch Indian Village site north of Bismarck. I’ve taken many of a photo of it, whether with the International Space Station flying overhead at sunrise or with my little boys and I in the foreground for a self-portrait. One used to be able to walk around the post on the left side, but attempting to do so today would land you on your head far, far below.

It’s pretty clear that the post is hanging only by virtue of the barbed wire looped around it.  I’ve been curious about what the other side of the post looks like, but unfortunately the high levels of the Missouri River made a hike along the bottom of the cliffs impossible.  Now the water is hard enough to walk on without divinity, so I made my way along the edge to take a peek.  I found some surprises along the way that I may divulge later, but let’s get to the post.

Sadly, my suspicions were true.  There is no more earth holding the post at all.  If the barbed wire ever lets go, this post will join the other unusual items lying along the bank at the bottom of these cliffs.

I wouldn’t even advise getting anywhere near the post at this point.  The cliff is seriously eroded.  I wonder how long it will be before this whole area drops into the Big Muddy?

Along my drive into town yesterday I noticed some of my other favorite photo objects that have fallen over the past ten years since I decided I wanted to get into photography.  Good thing I’m eager to find some new ones!

I got this shot while being swarmed and attacked by squadrons of aggressive mosquitoes, the likes of which I’d never seen.  My family and I decided to take a celebratory walk on the Lewis and Clark path, and man did we find skeeters!

The path was nice, although we were a few days too late to find the leaves in the photogenic state we’d prefer.  The aforementioned mosquitoes cancelled our plans to find all the geocaches along our route.  I was extremely glad that we didn’t bring bikes, as much of the western part of the path is overrun with tons of river sand washed up from the 2011 Missouri River flood.

As to the title of this post, I’m pleased to report that my recent “do over” surgery at Mayo Clinic was a success.  So too was my wife’s surgery a week later.  After giving up our house in March after receiving the bad news of my condition, we’re now in the process of building a brand new one.  Even my kids’ health has markedly improved.  I have a brand new camera lens on the way, one which I’ve wanted for a year or more.  The path ahead looks sunny indeed.

One consequence of the capitol grounds construction is that the lights illuminating the north face of the tower are no longer in place.  I’m sure there will be new ones once the construction is completed, but for now it’s just dirt where the parking lot used to be.

I took this photo a while back (click for larger size) and it shows how things are starting to take shape.  The north side of the capitol will have more pedestrian area, much like the south side.

Don’t take my word for it – this information is posted and updated on the capitol’s Facility Management website.  You can get a PDF copy of the plan by clicking here.

By the way, there were other notable song title candidates for the title of this blog post, such as “On the Dark Side” by Eddie and the Cruisers, “Moonshadow” by Cat Stevens, “Standing in the Shadows” by Dokken, “Ribbon of Darkness” by Marty Robbins…need I go on?

I spotted this cool geometry the other night…any guesses what it is before I give the answer below?

Yep, it was this stack of chairs at the library Wednesday night, where Marilyn Snyder presented the results of an incredible study into the history of the Bismarck Police Department.  More on that another time, because I haven’t actually seen all of it.  I had a church function at 7, and the presentation started at 6:30, so I had to peel myself away shortly after things really got going.  I returned later to find the chairs stacked, cookies gone, and presentation completed.

Don’t worry – Dakota Media Access recorded the presentation and will have it available sometime in the future.  Keep an eye on www.freetv.org to catch it!