Badlands and Black Hills of SD
with Douglas Beasley
June 11 -17, 2014
Only 2 spots left!
Join us for an unforgettable and completely non-touristy journey through the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota, land considered sacred to the Lakota (Sioux) and Cheyenne Indians for centuries. Following the classic American tradition of the road trip, each day’s short drive will bring us to somewhere new and meaningful, filled with rich photographic opportunities. This will be both a road trip and a spiritual adventure.
There are two options for starting this journey: drive with us from Minneapolis, MN to Rapid City, SD on June 11th. It is about 8 hours of drive time, not including stops for lunch, gas, etc. Or fly directly into Rapid City and meet up with us at our hotel that evening. When the workshop is over you can depart Rapid City anytime on June 17th.
If you would prefer to provide your own transportation (sometimes road trips and driving are a solitary meditation), you are also welcome to drive or car-pool in your own vehicle along with us.
On the first morning we head to South Dakota and stay in Rapid City. The next day we are at Bear Butte, the Holy Mountain and pilgrimage site of the Cheyenne and Lakota. Then we travel down beautiful Spearfish Canyon, a breathtaking winding road with many places to stop and make photos. The second night’s lodging will be at the beautiful Spearfish Canyon Lodge. We spend the third day exploring the Black Hills, sacred land of the Lakota, hiking around Sylvan Lake and along the ultra dramatic Needles Highway, with its many towering rock spires and see abundant wildlife in Custer State Park. The third night’s lodging will be at Gold Camp Cabins, at a remote location near Custer, SD. On the fourth day we wind down out of the Black HIlls, through the very remote Strongholds of the Badlands, where Crazy Horse and his warriors held out from capture from the US Cavalry. We visit the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and the town of Pine Ridge. Then on to the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890 and the memorial at the mass graveside. This is also where the Oglala Lakota declared independence from the U.S. Government in 1974, leading to the occupation of Pine Ridge and the arrest of Leonard Peltier. The fourth night’s lodging is at the Lakota Prarie Ranch Resort, owned and run by the Oglala Lakota Tribe. On the fifth day we photograph in remote, seldom visited regions of the Badlands including the dramatic views from high atop sacred Sheep Table mountain and then the almost abandoned town of Scenic. On the last two nights we stay at the wonderful Circle View Guest Ranch, a real working cattle ranch with dramatic views of sweeping Badlands vistas from atop their own butte. Amy Kruse will provide us with delicious locally-sourced home-cooked meals. On the last full day we experience the dramatic vistas of the Badlands National Park. Native American guest speaker Ansel Woodenknife, good friend of Doug’s and owner of Woodenknife Frybread Co, may join us after dinner for conversations and to answer questions. We can also visit with Philip Kruse, owner of the Circle View with wife Amy. He is a third generation cattle rancher and grew up on the ranch. On departure day we head for home after one of Amy’s fabulous breakfasts and a possible early morning photo shoot. Those traveling back to the Twin Cities can expect to arrive about 9 or 10 pm.
Most days start with a photo shoot to take advantage of the morning light, followed by a relatively short drive (often less than two hours) so we can make numerous stops. We check in to our lodgings early, before a photo session in the evening light after dinner.
Expect surprises, adventure and serendipity. This is sure to be a very memorable and deeply moving experience.
Who should attend:
Appropriate for all levels, but better suited for those who want to cultivate or be introduced to a deeper spiritual connection to the land through their photography. All formats, digital and film, are welcome. This trip is also perfect for non-photographer spouses or partners to join us. There will be much to do and see for everybody.
Student Testimonials About This Workshop:
“I could actually say that Badlands workshop “changed my life”! Your book list, movie list and philosophy about making art plugged right into what I was opening up to at the time. I will never ever forget it. Seeing your work, listening to your approach to your work, inspires me every time. Thanks for all you do for ART!!”
– Karen McCall, Minneapolis, MN
“I want to let you know how much I enjoyed the week and the great job you did putting together a great group. I learned some things about myself as well as photography that I hope will be things I can take advantage of down the road. Our evening “social” consisting of good conversation and a good glass of wine was one of my favorite parts of the trip.”
– Frank Kohoutek, Saint Paul, MN
“Thank you again for the extraordinary adventure, outer and inner; and for your kind attention, care-filled leadership, generous teaching and encouragement, beautiful spirit, and love of fun.”
– Evy Huppert, Grantham, NH
See some of Doug’s photography from the Badlands, the Black Hills or Sacred Site of the Lakota
See some student photography from this and other Vision Quest workshops.
Dates: June 11 – 17, 2014
Depart from St Paul: Wednesday June 11, 8:00 AM
or meet us in to Rapid City, SD Wednesday evening
Return to St Paul: Tuesday June 17, late evening
or depart from Rapid City anytime Tuesday
Class limit: Only 10 students!
Cost: $1,775.00 ($300 deposit)
Based on double occupancy, $525 single supplement
Includes workshop, all ground transportation, lodging and some meals.
PayPal also accepted. Account is under ‘doug@douglasbeasley.com’
