The Original Mine

This is a shot of the Original Mine that I took last summer while visiting my hometown of Butte, Montana. I really enjoyed exploring the contrasts of such heavy machinery sitting right in the midst of the neighborhoods gingerbread-style "cottage" houses. The Original hosted the National Folk Festival for the last two years, and will host it once more next year on July 9-11 (the last year in the 3-year rotation). I have heard that it is an awesome weekend. I need to make sure and be there next year. I hope to apply as a vendor where I can sell some of my photos and illustrations.

I did desaturate the background on this photo a bit, just to intensify the contrast between the cute little house and the industrial nature of the gallows frame.

To purchase this, or any of my other photos, go to www.girlingearstudio.etsy.com and click contact girlingearstudio and send me a message.  I can create a custom listing just for you, which you can purchase easily via PayPal, check or money order.  All photos come matted and in a protective plastic sleeve, but can be sent without the mat at a reduced price, if you wish.

The Mining City

This is another photo of a gallows frame that is right amongst the neighborhoods of Butte, Montana. I wish I could travel back in time to see the mines in all their glory, when they were operating 24/7. To see the miners walking to work with their lunch pails in hand; to see the men climbing into the hoists to be lowered into the mine. To see Uptown Butte bustling and busy, and all the buildings full... and to experience the splendor of the Columbia Gardens. Yes, I think that if time travel were possible, I'd transport myself back into Butte, Montana, circa 1924. Where's my DeLorean?

I took this photo in June 2009 with my Nikon digital SLR.

A Mile High and A Mile Deep

Butte, Montana started out as a mining camp in the 19th century. The Butte hill is speckled with head frames or "gallows frames" and they are often right in the middle of neighborhoods. This head frame is from the Mountain Consolidated Mine, more often known as the "Mountain Con" or "The Con". Since Butte is in the Summit Valley (on the Continental Divide), it is a mile high in elevation.

The Mountain Con mine frame was erected by the Anaconda Company in the early 1920s. By 1964, the shaft had been sunk to nearly 5,300 feet -- making it a mile high and a mile deep.

This photo was taken with my Nikon digital SLR back in June during my visit to Butte.

Butte, Montana in the Summer: The Continental Divide Trail

The Continental Divide Trail runs 3,100 miles from Canada to Mexico, along - you guessed it - the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. The Continental Divide happens to pass right through Butte, MT; and I have to say, I had never really heard anyone talk much about the trail when I was growing up there. After reading Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods (a great book - you should read it) about his adventures hiking the Appalachian Trail, I became more interested in the Continental Divide Trail (which is considered part of the Triple Crown of hiking, along with the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails). When I was in Butte this summer, we took a drive up into the Highland Mountains, and as we were coming back down, we crossed the trail and I snapped this picture. One day I'd love to hike at least the portion in Southwest Montana.

A really great book on the Continental Divide Trail as it passes through Idaho and Montana is Montana & Idaho's Continental Divide Trail: The Official Guide by Leland and Lynna Howard, who are brother and sister. Leland is a really great photographer and Lynna is a writer. At my previous job, I actually worked with their other brother, Gerry, and he is actually pictured on the cover of the book.

Ironic?

Took a trip back to my hometown of Butte, Montana in July and took this picture. I find it - oh, I don't know - ironic? That this building burned down right next to a fire and safety company? It was sad and funny all at the same time.