Power lines tower over a cornfield between Redwood Falls and Morgan.
ALL THE WAY HOME, from southwestern Minnesota to southeastern, I watched the sky and the light and the crops as daylight edged ever nearer night.
A farm site sits next to a corn field between Morgan and New Ulm.
There’s something magical about this time when light angles sharp shadows and a certain glow prevails.
Along U.S. Highway 14 between New Ulm and Courtland.
On this particular evening, grey mingled with white and blue, clouds stretching and towering and sometimes nearly imprinting upon the earth.
I waited for the rain. Then, just east of Courtland along U.S. Highway 14, one of Minnesota’s most dangerous rural highways, the sky opened. For a short period, rain rushed across the windshield, washing away residue of bugs and bird poop with each swipe of the wipers.
Traveling U.S. Highway 14 near Eagle Lake.
Soon enough, the rain stopped and dry pavement rolled beneath the van tires.
Grain bins along Minnesota State Highway 60 just off U.S. Highway 14.
I focused once again on the light—the contrast of fading sunlight against battle grey sky,
Light ripples across a hillside of corn between Waterville and Faribault along Minnesota State Highway 60.
light spotlighting a hillside of tasseling corn,
Just east of Waterville along Minnesota State Highway 60.
vibrant yellow traffic signs popping alongside the road.
Barn and bins behind a corn field near Waterville.
The landscape appeared more focused, like a bold-lined picture colored with pointy new crayons. Sharp. New. Unrounded.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Looks like a nice drive home. 🙂 The storms missed us and I am longing for a great big gully washer to give the ground a much needed drink. Today looks a bit promising for that but probably will skirt around us again. Favorite pic today is the corn scene.
These photos were actually shot the weekend before this last one. No rain here either and we need it. Who would think I would be writing that after all the rain earlier this summer.
Great pictures. Looking forward to a gully washer as well.
We definitely need rain.
Love wide-open spaces with blue skies and clouds.
And the southwestern Minnesota prairie gives you both. I always feel so incredibly small when I’m on the prairie, like the sky and land dominate.
Your pictures bring back a lot of memories of growing up on the farm and the wide open spaces. We lived on the “bluff” over looking the river valley. It is beautiful. My brother lives there now on the farm our grandfather homesteaded when he came from Norway.
Wow, that’s quite a history with your family farm. Sounds like a beautiful location. Overlooking the Minnesota River valley?
Beautiful – makes me want to escape to the country 🙂 Happy Week!
I hear you.
Beautiful photo’s Audrey, I just love the sky when it’s about to rain/storm, every thing becomes so vivid.
Vivid is a perfect word to describe the sky then. And moody, oh, so moody.
Hwy 14……That’s the route we always took to Sturgis and the one DH and Mack just took on their trek West to Sturgis last Saturday. Your photos are exquisite……….
Thank you, Doreen. I hope they have a great time in Sturgis and a safe trip.
They had a wonderful trip out and have done a couple great rides with stops at our fave food places! Tons of ‘peeps’ out there and, of course, a few accidents. Appreciate your prayers for the safety (and common sense usage) for all who are there…….hugs………………
Good to hear all is going well for DH and Mack. Yes to prayers and “common sense usage.”
Love the photos! I was driving east on Highway 14 between Mankato and Owatonna that same day and saw those same clouds. Beautiful!
There’s something about storm clouds…