I recently road-tripped from Wisconsin to South Dakota to participate in Douglas Beasley’s annual Dramatic Portrait: Figure in the Badlands Workshop, which has been on my wishlist for the past few years.
This photography workshop experience is well known for the fantastic group of people who attend, along with the dramatic portraits that are created in this remote, and sacred land with its sculpted soil, sweeping vistas and extraordinary light.
Sheep Mountain Table, South Dakota
“For hundreds of years, the Lakota people have called this area mako sica, which literally translates to “bad lands.””
THE STAY
Since our mission at Open Air Places is to connect travelers with unique places to stay and be inspired, I was so excited to experience for myself the gracious hospitality at the Circle View Guest Ranch in Interior, SD that Doug has spoken about so highly.
Located on the top of a butte, this working cattle ranch set on 2,800 acres of stunning prairie with panoramic views of a river valley, and endless sky above is made completely unique by the warm hospitality of the owners, Phil and Amy Kruse and their beautiful family.
The Circle View Guest Ranch, Interior, South Dakota
Every morning I began by day with a cup of coffee, and my journal while enjoying the view from the Bunkhouse patio which over looks the graceful, horseshoe curve of the White River, where if you watched long enough you are sure to see deer crossing for a drink.
The delicious homecooked meals at the Circle View were a highlight of our stay, as was our last dinner out at the gas station pictured below. Yes, you read that right - we ate the best prime rib dinner of our life at a gas station and convenience store called the Cowboy Corner, in Interior, South Dakota.
It was such a treat to enjoy our meal while locals filtered in to pay for their gas, or grab some cold beer from the cooler. The experience was made complete by the friendly staff who served us at this unique spot near the Badlands National Park .
THE WORKSHOP
Each morning and late-afternoon our group caravanned to a new location in the Badlands where we discovered emotionally rich places to photograph and collaborate with nature and each other to make images full of meaning.
We found beauty among the wild sage and mixed grass prairie meadows, the cottonwood trees, the occasional stream and especially the wide open skies where the wind as a creative element was embraced.
A visit to Sheep Mountain Table rewarded us with one of the Badlands most outstanding vistas. So grand, it’s almost hard to find words.
This 4 mile long plateau covered in prairie grasses is surrounded by steep drop offs and is accessible by a 7 mile long minimally maintained road - parts of which only a 4-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle can traverse. Due to its remoteness, and heavily rutted roads, this area is not populated with visitors - we passed only one other vehicle on our way up to the overlook, where, once there we were filled with an incredible sense of peace.
Because this place is sacred to the Sioux and Lakota people, there are many prayer offerings and ceremonial artifacts - one of note but not pictured out of respect was a beautiful and craggy cedar tree, adorned with prayer flags that gently fluttered in the wind, along with the word “Now” carved into its bark.
Sheep Mountain Table, South Dakota
Mako Sica - we are so grateful to have experienced your amazing beauty, under skies so wide it almost breaks your heart. Making photos here with Douglas Beasley and friends will remain a sacred memory, with hope to return again in future when the time comes.
Douglas Beasley and Me, The Moon, image made by Lisa Frank
HELLO FRIEND! I’m JENNA ERICKSON
Founder & Lead Travel Ambassador for OPEN AIR PLACES.
I loved experiencing the beauty of the Badlands being behind the camera, and in front of it, especially working in a collaborative way with the landscape, my fellow photographers and found objects.
I’ll be sharing more of what I loved about South Dakota, on Instagram at @openairplaces or if Facebook is your jam, you can follow along with me here.
xoxo
JENNA