As we traveled across the US we saw very few wind farms. We actually expected to see many more, especially in the Plains states where the wind blows virtually unobstructed. In past travels to California I have seen the massive wind farms outside of Palm Springs. I always find those windmills to be beautiful, especially when their graceful blades are turning as they nearly always seem to be. Many communities fight the wind farms saying they are ugly and destroy the viewshed. Here are some farms we saw.
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| Washington |
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| Pennsylvania |
We also saw many old-fashioned windmills on ranches all over. Does this windmill improve or detract from the landscape? Does it evoke any feelings?
An old wind mill stands in the shadow of the new wind turbines in a still developing wind farm.
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| North Dakota |
All across the country, those who have moved from country to town erect little faux windmills in their yards. What are they trying to recapture? The romance of the open range? Maybe it's the beauty of making nature work for us without destroying the planet at the same time.
Will future generations buy faux wind turbines for their yards? Will artists paint them as the Dutch did? Or do wind farms make our country look ugly?
wow i didn't realize how many wind farms are out there. i know the one in palm springs. they are certainly better than going past factories that are polluting the air with smoke and chemicals. i don't know enough about them. thanks for posting
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