Traffic jam on U.S. Route 89 in Idaho
U.S. Route 89 cuts off the southeast corner of Idaho around the margin of Bear Lake. The folks there make up for the shortage in Highway 89 mileage with an excess of enthusiasm. For example, the SharpShooters Camera Club is putting on the very first Bear Lake Regional Photo Seminar in Montpelier from 24-26 October 2008.
I met the club ringleaders, Ross and Linda Walker, about a year ago when I was on an expedition in service of the US 89 project. The Governor was a no-show at the anti-drug coalition luncheon in the park, so they had to make conversation with...me. They suffered politely through my one minute elevator talk. Then the conversation got interesting, as they told me all about their Montpelier camera club. Now one of the things I absolutely love about my project is meeting the people in small towns who bring folks together and get stuff done. Bear Lake County, Idaho has a population of just over 6,000 people, not exactly a metropolis burgeoning with photographers, but these folks are busy. They have rotating member exhibits in local businesses, guest speakers at their club, and now they have gone out for funding to put on this weekend seminar.
Ross called a while back and asked me to tell the Highway 89 story at the seminar. How cool is that? We are going to have a great time in Montpelier. There will be a participant exhibition and contest, a Photoshop lecture, and an optional dinner at the National Oregon/California Trail Center in downtown Montpelier. I already have my sunset shooting expedition figured out. The registration cost is an absolute bargain, only $25 for the whole weekend. So plan to hit the trail with me to Montpelier for the weekend of 24-26 October.
P.S. I advise leaving a bit early in case of traffic jams--you never know who will be on the road in Bear Lake County, Idaho.
