" Mother Nature's Mr. Photography!" - Time Out #148

My bride, Debbie, and I discovered our second nest in the early 1980's far, far away from Our Town.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming!

Over the 35-plus years, we have been flying/driving there, this wonderful area, which includes Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, continually amazes us.

We were so hypnotized early on by its utter beauty, we began investing in real estate there in the early 1990's. We continue to own property there today. In the late spring this year, we re-visited this special place, unusual this trip because it had been about 2 1/2 years since we were last there. For us, that lengthy gap is unusual, very usual, but our reason is we have been seeing many other different countries on planet earth for the first time! Our visited country total now stands at 93, with 5 more to be added during this summer. Yes, that magical #100 visited isn't far off!

Back to magic Jackson Hole, nestled in Wyoming's wild #22 (state license tag id #), Teton County, county population about 17,000, Jackson city about half of that total.

During one of our earlier year visits, we quickly learned the hub of the small community's action revolves around Jackson's historic George Washington Town Square. This picturesque one square block area has 4 elk antler arches proudly displayed on each corner. These sites have provided backdrops for zillions of happy visitors' photographs over many, many years. In the center of this tree-filled oasis, is one of the endearing symbols of the wild west, a large bronze sculpture of a cowboy, riding a bucking bronco.

The last full day of our recent visit, Debbie and I relaxed on a nice wide bench in the middle of the park. The local weather was a spectacular spring day, so we people-watched, read, and talked. As previous experiences in that exact location have been on many past occasions, it was very relaxing afternoon!

So, roll back to a time to the early 1980's, when we were new to the Jackson Hole "experience". We wandered into a art gallery on the second floor of a group of businesses, just northwest of the famous town square. We have always had special interests in photography, and those interests have always been multiplied many times over when wildlife is the principal subject. Now mind you, we thoroughly enjoy beautiful landscape scenes, too, but our real artistic love has been for nature's oxygen-breathing creatures. Well, inside this local gallery long, long ago, Ms. Debbie and I stumbled on

an absolute lifetime jewel. We ended up purchasing several of the displayed art works that afternoon, simply for one reason only, we absolutely loved the pieces the photographic lens captured. The master behind the camera that day just happened to be in his gallery, along with his store's regular sales staff. We met him, and told him how much we liked his "Images" ,as he termed his individual pieces of photographic art. Just who am I talking about. readers of Our Town and far beyond?

Tom C, Mangelsen.

At that time about 35 years ago, Tom's photographic business operation was in its infancy. But just like Tom's notoriety, his business has grown and grown and grown over the ensuing 35 years. So has our purchase of his incredible Images! I would guess for our homes, office and gifts to family and others, my bride and I have purchased about 100 of his numbered/limited edition works. Let me repeat, we have done so because we have always loved his old-school approach and ability through his photographs to absolutely bring his scenes to life. I would be remiss, however, if I didn't relate the fact, many of his works have appreciated financially, like any other precious collectible. Some of his out-of-print (i.e., sold out) Images are worth 10-times or more dollar-wise than they were when purchased new from one of his galleries.

For me and my lifelong love of travel, I will look at one of his landscape Images we own, and then go deep into my mind's eye to remember my "being there". And, for a brief moment, I have returned there once again, thanks to Tom's beautiful Image.

Another of our family traditions is to regularly watch CBS' long-running (50 years now!) Sunday evening production show, "60 Minutes". As I became a full-fledged adult in the late 1960's, I regularly enjoyed this long-running television show. Over our many married years with my bride (recently celebrated anniversary #37!), we have assembled our entire brood, when they were still in our nest, and watched "60 Minutes". Afterwards, we thoroughly discussed it around our Sunday night dinner table, and everyone was always entitled to his or her opinion. Yes, opinion's varied, folks, and discussions were always lively!

I've always said, when "60 Minutes" telephones you for one of their weekly segments, your notoriety has arrived, and you truly do get your 15 minutes (or more) of worldwife fame. Well, this past May, they produced a wonderful segment on Tom, which I sure will be repeated in the future, as it was a truly excellent piece.

As fate would have it, when Ms. Debbie and I were in the Jackson Hole gallery during our recent visit, totally unexpectedly, Tom came through the front door. Our great saleslady, Rita, who had just sold us 3 new Images, ask Tom to come over to where we were standing. She reintroduced us, and I relived the 35-year-ago, past meeting with him in his original gallery across the street. We had a great chat over a variety of topics for about 15 minutes, and Ms. Rita took our photograph with him. Like the true professional he is, he told her and us a few fine points for taking the photo shots. He briefly discussed his growing up in rural southern Nebraska, and I related some of my youthful experiences around Our Town. We laughed together when I told him I had routinely placed shiny BB shot in my mouth for safe keeping as extra ammunition, when firing my air rifle long, long ago. He spontaneously laughed,and said he did the same thing as a young boy!

What an absolute photographic icon, Tom C, Mangelsen. He is a total friend of nature, and a true friend of ours.

Keep your camera lens forever clicking, Mr. Tom! You are the BEST!!