I LOVE THAT I LIVE in a community which, although becoming more and more urban in size, maintains a small town rural feel.
Car Cruise Night in historic downtown Faribault.
Faribault presents a charming downtown in its historic buildings and many locally-grown shops.
Occasionally, tractors and combines rumble along the arterial street past my house. Just last week I observed a pick-up pulling a wagon stacked with freshly baled hay.
And then the other evening, when pulling into a downtown parking lot for the monthly Faribault Car Cruise Night, I spotted a pick-up truck packed with hay bales.
My native prairie farm girl eyes delight in sights like this—reminders that folks still work the land and that Faribault is more than just another city of some 23,000 or so situated along the interstate.
Despite its growth, my community remains rooted in the rural.
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PLEASE CHECK BACK for photos from two area car shows.
Also, thank you to Red Wing photographer Dan Traun who, through his stunning photography, has taught me to look in unexpected places (like a parking lot or alley) for photo opportunities. I’ve never met Dan, but I admire and have studied his images on his photoblog. I’d encourage you to check out this talented Minnesota photographer’s work by clicking here.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
There are definitely photo opportunities everywhere, aren’t there? I love that your town is such a great place for all kinds of interesting things to photograph.
Photo ops are truly everywhere.
Great pictures! I kinda want to climb on top of that truck full of hay and take a nap. 😉
I kind of want to climb atop that hay and ride away into the sunset. But a nap sounds good, too.
You posed the question.. what do you notice? and I notice this line from your blog…My native prairie farm girl eyes delight in sights like this—reminders that folks still work the land and that Faribault is more than just another city of some 23,000 or so situated along the interstate.
For me your writing is always so succinct.and expresses the heartbeat of small town life. You should win the best of the SW bloggers hands down in my estimation.
Thank you so much, Sue. I appreciate your endorsement and ongoing support of my writing. You get what I’m trying to convey and for that I am grateful.