Since they moved north, we have been figuring out the best way to get up to Ellyn and Jason’s. The last time they were down here, they tried a new route. It is a little longer actually, but so worth it. They knew we would love it, so when we went up this past weekend, we gave it a try.
We knew why they sent us this way, but it was still a thrill to catch our first glimpse of this. See them? Off in the distance?
Here – lets go a few miles down the road.
This is Maple Ridge Wind Farm. We pulled off on a side road to get a better look. There are about 200 of them – called wind turbines actually and each one cost about $2.5 million to build, generating enough power for around 500 homes. The land they stand on is mostly leased, much of it from farmers who reap beteween $5,000-10,000 per year per turbine. An economic boost for family farmers who are finding it more difficult to stay in business as their costs rise.
They are so huge – 320 feet high. From the information I could find, they are the largest turbines east of the Mississippi.
I don’t know why I like them so much. Usually I am drawn to more natural aspects of the world around me. Maybe it is because once they are up there, they sort of become part of the wind.
And, I know that often the people living around them don’t appreciate them all that well. They are pretty noisy for one thing, sounding like a distant plane that never gets any closer. They make some people dizzy and they do tend to dominate the landscape. I have to admit, I’m not sure how I would like one in my own back yard.
And, as you can see, the windmills are not the only amazing thing to see here – look at the view behind them
But that is a post for another day.
I think they’re oddly graceful. But I’ve never seen one in person.
Wow. Those pics are amazing. I can see them being great for energy but not sure about one in my yard.
;)
I think they are beautiful.
NIMBY
Bear((( )))
I’m not sure what’s more thrilling, the view of big sky or the big things in the big sky.
They are truly amazing. I am so glad you enjoyed them.
I saw these turbines out in a remote area of California a few years back. There is something majestic about them, isn’t there?
I just love seeing those windmills. If I lived on a large spread of land I would have one (or more) for sure.
They are just so cool. I agree with Ruth they are oddly graceful. and the scenery! just gorgeous!
An old business collegue of mine now is involved with these graceful windmills. He sent me a photo of him sitting on top of one of the windmills. Crazy? I think so!
We should harness more of the wind for energy reasons. But that is just me.
They are so cool! I’m hoping that Washington DC extends the tax breaks for them — we need to encourage alternative energy for so many reasons…
I love seeing these in Palm Springs, always amazing.
what amazing photos .. the skies are awesome and to be generating so much power awesome!
what beautiful land too you can literally see forever!
Those are awesome. I’ve never seen them up close, though I’m told they’re all over the state of Oklahoma. But it never occurred to me that they’d be noisy. Hmm.
Neato! I love all things GREEN. They are kinda surreal looking against that landscape…almost like you photo-shopped them in there. So cool!
wow! those things look like ufo’s… kinda scary.
Oh! Did you see the post I did a while back when my husband and I drove over to Lowville? I took a short video of the windmills….actually I didn’t think I’d like them, but once we got there I was quite fascinated by them….SO MANY!!!
Hi there, came to your blog through ‘Black Box’ We have turbines on the hills above our house in Mid Wales. We can’t see them from the house, but a brisk uphill walk takes us to them and amazing views. They are strangely captivating aren’t they?
I agree with the first comment – those windmills are curiously elegant. It doesn’t hurt that the landscape is beautiful. I mean, I’m not sure how those windmills would look on I95 near Newark…wait, they might help!?!?
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