Spectacular Unseen Beauty Of Eastern South Dakota {Pics}

"Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder".

I've lived in South Dakota for nearly a half-century. Just about every part of the state, from the south central to the northeast, from the east-central to the western edge to the southeast. In other words, I've pretty much seen it all here in the Sunshine State.

Or at least, thought I had.

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Not long ago I had coffee with a childhood friend of mine, a guy I hadn't seen in several decades. Jerry Klumper and I had attended Edgerton, Minnesota school back in the 'old days'. I got work in South Dakota and have been here ever since. As it turned out, Jerry had found his way to South Dakota as well.

Jerry worked for the Elk Point, and now Elk Point/Jefferson, school district for very close to 40 years. An art teacher for about half that time, he then spent many years as the Technology Director there. And through those years, and now in retirement, photography was and is a hobby. But wow, what pictures this old friend of mine takes!

I asked him who was the inspiration behind these beautiful Southeast South Dakota photos, and he replied with a name I knew well:

Mr. Wesselink.

Mr. Wesselink was a teacher back at Edgerton High School and headed up the Photography Club. I was in the club for a year or so, but basically (I can admit now) just for the fun of it. Jerry apparently took it to heat. And thank goodness he did.

Jerry has hundreds, perhaps thousands, of amazingly beautiful pictures from around the world. But it's the photo's from here, from east and southeast South Dakota, that will be featured here. I told my old friend that I'd like to share these and he said OK. And so, over the coming weeks and months, I'd like you to take a look at the stunning beauty that surrounds us right here.

This is the St. Peter's Catholic Church in Jefferson. 

Another of the church and cemetery. Captured beautifully with amazing color.

Many of Jerry's beautiful pictures feature, in some form, the waters of the Missouri River in southeast South Dakota.

I love how Jerry captured these trees with the sun in the background. And yes, the splendor of this picture is all around us if we'll only pause to take a look.

Wait, can there actually be beauty in a grain elevator? Yes. This is between Elk Point and Jefferson.

How many times have you waited for a train at about sunset and thought 'Ugh'. If you have, you missed this amazing sight. Jerry didn't.

The lovely reflection is what caught my eye. 

Northeast of Elk Point you'll find Henke Road. And you might find this guy. It's where he calls home.

All of these photos, all of these images, are all around us. They're there every day and everywhere. Jerry has the talent to see them and capture them. And share them with us.

Over the next weeks and months, I'll be sharing more of them with you. And if you'd like to comment or have questions, you can contact Jerry through his email address jerry@klumper.net.

And thanks Jerry for reminding us of the beauty that surrounds us here in this part of our world.