The old adage, “You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy,” might as well have been written about me. I am a poster child for the concept. I was born and raised on a farm in Cando, North Dakota, where I graduated from Cando High School. After a two-year stint at North Dakota State University, I transferred to North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, graduating with a degree in graphic arts in 1979.
Shortly thereafter, I packed up and headed to Colorado in search of life’s adventures and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But, even living for what ended up being more than 40 years in the Rocky Mountains — where I worked as a photographer for various daily newspapers — I never lost sight of the Motherland, making several trips home to Cando every year. After traveling back and forth more times than I can count — with my camera always in hand — it finally hit me: Why not photograph every county in North Dakota? Perhaps it had been done before, but not by me! And most likely not in the photojournalistic style that has defined my work for more than three decades.
What began as a personal goal quickly evolved into a real eye-opener regarding the beauty and uniqueness of North Dakota — with some of the state’s quirkiness, ruggedness and great people falling into place.
After five years of traveling, planning, scheduling, photographing, meeting people and ticking off counties in all seasons, I covered my home state end to end, top to bottom, inside and out. What began as a labor of love and an homage to the land of my birth slowly began to evolve into the idea for Dirt Roads To Downtown.
With two books already under my belt, I understood that this type of project seems never-ending. Some areas needed to be covered again. Hundreds and hundreds of images had to be culled and sorted. But, once I reached the point where I felt that I had done my home state justice, with the encouragement of others, the pursuit of these pages began and what you hold in front of you is the result of said pursuit.
The miles covered have been memorable, people met unforgettable and with pride I can say I will soon once again be a resident of North Dakota. This project has tugged on my heartstrings. I am moving back to Cando. Yes, you can go home again.
Stay legendary, North Dakota!
TOP: Saddle bronc rider competing at the North Dakota Winter Show rodeo in Valley City, Barnes County, March 2019.
TOP: Native American dancers perform at the Spirit Lakes Nation Pow Wow near Ft. Totten in Benson County, July 2018.
TOP: Colorful night sky over the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park (TRNP), photographed from the Badlands Overlook, October 2018.
