Black Hills - August 1982

The first vacation trip, other than Up North, with kids.  Start of a special thing.

The first shot we've visited before, and it's probably my favorite kid shot.  There's a story here, and each viewer can make their own interpretation.  Norman Rockwell would have liked this shot, I like to think.

I love this shot too.  What's Bryan thinking?...perhaps where's my clothes?

Lots to see in this next shot.  Baked spuds, Gordon's gin, kids at play, cans of something lined up, my old radio which I still have, and attitude.  Off to a good start!

Nebraska - Fall 1981

A fall visit to Smith's.

Windbreak?...hard to imagine what it was like on a windy day back then.

Off to a hike along the creek.  Bryan, always the trooper, handled the hand-me-downs very well.

Heather was not a happy hiker.  Yes, that's Bryan on the left.

Spike and Daisy I.

Another great meal on the way.



Brian evolved from his Strawberry Shortcake dress phase.



Big Blue - Travel in the 80's

Throughout much of our travels together in the early years we had a full sized Chevy station wagon.  A vehicle of the past.  Ok, this borders on "the good old days", but thankfully we raised kids and did our travels before mandated car seats and government oversite of our safety.  Adults in the front; with kids, toys, sleeping bags, juice boxes in the rear.  All 10 of us could travel in comfort.  Think about it, what fun would the "rolly, polly road" have been without the soft suspension and all the kids in the rear, flying about like astronauts in space?

Yea, I know, and 2 year olds shouldn't be riding around with a Bud hat on.

Up North - Summer 1981

In July of 1981 the Washow's returned to camping.  The following year our two family camping experiences would begin.  The second week of this vacation the Smith's joined us Up North.  These photos are from that second week.

 

Through the years Doug has helped me with many projects Up North.  He always has approched them with the greatest of enthusiasm.  This project, the re-staining of the cottage, was probably the most memorable...can you guess the color of the stain?

 

 

Behind the Scenes - Memorial Day 1982

This is a little out of sequence; I'll be posting some pics that pre-date this, but when I scanned it I had to post it right away.  Here's the sequence that defines are most "infamous" Smith/Washow kid's shot.  In hindsight I expect there was some sort of Smurfs mind control going on here.  As always, click on the pics to make them larger, some of these are a little dark.

Shortly thereafter the kids had perked up.  Laura, always the party person!

I'm guessing that Bryan was sleeping on the couch.



Summer 1980

Some random shots from both Up North and Crystal Lake in the summer of 1980.

What's there to say about this shot...if there was blood showing it could be used as murder evidence.

Kid shots...

Picnic at Veteran's Acres in Crystal Lake.



This shot covers a lot of ground...bridge, kids, martini's, sleep, Playboy glasses.  It's been a trip.

Heather/Laura

Ok, I know the birth of Heather and Laura were 10 months apart, but these are my first shots of each of them, and it seemed to make sense to publish together.  As I scan through the slides,, I'm amazed how much time expires, sometimes over a year, in just one 140 slide carousel.   Probably the biggest shift for photography as we moved to the digital world.  Each slide was a relatively expensive, precious capture; digital shots are relatively "free".