The Randolph Twins

When it comes to finding points of photographic interest around North Dakota, I’ve got plenty of resources. I have maps. I have lists. I have online resources. I keep an eye out for interesting things posted by others, especially locals in certain places. The Randolph School showed up on one of my maps, so I followed my usual ritual: finding its precise GPS location; pixel-peeping it on The Google; determining if it’s still where it should be; determining if there’s still a road to it (especially in the Prairie Pothole areas); and plotting my way to visit it for myself. When I arrived at the location of the Randolph School, however, I was surprised to see that there were two of them.

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Low tech, high tech weekend…somewhere

I spotted this barn while out roaming around a long time ago, and I came across this photo recently while going through old photos. I don’t remember posting this one, so I thought I’d share. I wonder if there was a time where this barn suddenly gave out a gasp and settled into this position?

With structures like this, I find it interesting to stop by again after a while and see how the ravages of time have progressed. Unfortunately, in this case, I don’t know if that’ll be possible…

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Interesting – and timely – tie-in to my MHS experience

As I wandered the halls, I came upon this really cool display. It’s an enormous photo of the space shuttle, and it’s signed by astronaut Jim Buchli, a graduate of Fargo Central High School.

The Space Shuttle plays a part in my Mandan High School experience. When the Challenger exploded on the morning of January 28th, 1986, I was in my Business Law class. I think we had one of those AV carts with a TV on it wheeled into our class, but I don’t remember for sure. I just remember that it was in that classroom that I learned of an unthinkable national tragedy.

Coincidentally, Colonel Buchli is scheduled to be presented with the Roughrider Award tomorrow! That’s a pretty fantastic honor for a guy from North Dakota. I hope this photo finds its way to the new school somehow!

Old MHS Open House, Part Nine of Ten

Most of the classrooms were locked, but several of the science rooms were open. One in particular caught my eye. This classroom and I go way, way back. Chemistry, Physics, Advanced Chem…I took every science course offered at the time, more credits than I needed to graduate with a College Prep curriculum. I thoroughly enjoyed high school. I have two funny stories about these classrooms.

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Old MHS Open House, Part Seven of Many

I’ve mentioned before that I never intended to photograph or write a “tour of ol’ Mandan High”, and I have not. In fact, for a good portion of my wanderings I put my 100mm macro lens on the camera! Instead, I opted to find and capture interesting sights in my alma mater. Like this photo, for example: it makes a clever play on the Mandan slogan, “Where the west begins.” I like it.

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