What a Wonderful World in Galena, IL.

If you've never been to Galena, it’s a quaint little town on the border of northwestern Illinois, nestled in between Iowa and Wisconsin. The architecture, shops, and the beautiful landscape add to its charm. In the spring, summer and fall months, there is always a guitar player, or some sort of performance group in the middle of town, with their tip jars out, eager for the change or bills of tourists visiting the various shops on the main downtown strip. I didn't get this gentleman's name; I simply threw in a few dollars into his coffee can, sitting in his guitar case, surrounded by some funny pictures. I asked him if I could take pictures of him, and he obliged. We talked briefly about photography and music, but not nearly enough to get to know each other. He just went on to the next song in his song book. When he began to play and sing "What a Wonderful World", I nearly teared up. It was surreal. Nice sunny day, trees of green, people saying how do you do.... all of that. A crowd gathered around him, and I snapped off this picture which I chose to turn into a art piece. I wanted to bring him and his guitar to the forefront, sitting under the American flag. I don't know his story; maybe he's a war veteran, maybe just a wanderer, or even a resident of Galena that makes extra cash entertaining the crowds. As he sang, with the food in his beard, and his hat blocking the sun from his eyes - there was a special charm to him, and to how he was making the crowd feel with such a beautiful song. Galena is a photographic playground, and I'm glad I got to spend my day there capturing some images. The second one I'm featuring in this blog, is actually the highest point in Illinois, near a town called Scales Mound. How very countryesque. God fearing people, in the country expressing their religious freedom. I thought the picture looked so fake, but I assure you, the cows, and the rock are as they were when I snapped the pic. Check out the other Galena pictures in all different catergories!