Baker’s Acres is homage to my father, Joe Baker, who passed away in 1996. From the time I was about 20 and up to his final days, he talked about his dream to buy a small acreage and call it Baker’s Acres.
It seemed like a good idea in that he wanted to have something to hand down to his two sons. He talked about his vision of a shack, a barn, a fire pit, and a neighbor that might have had livestock. Maybe we’d “farm out the farming to a farmer”. It always sounded like a wonderful vision to me but it never came to fruition. This site is a first step in making Joe’s vision something real.
Baker’s Acres is a metaphor; an imaginary space
that surrounds me while I’m exploring our National Parks
and exercising my creative genes.
Years before, as a teenager, I became an Eagle Scout and my respect for the great outdoors began to grow. It became clear to me that I wanted to spend my spare time soaking in the majesty of our National Parks.
Today, my reverence for my father grows on a daily basis. My book, That’s Close Enough, is a tribute to the memory and the influence of my father.
I have not visited all 59 of our National Parks; that may never happen. I have, however, gained an incredible respect and passion for a select collection of parks in the west. I intend to spend more time exploring and sharing the secrets of these majestic places.
Through photography, writing, and a combination of the two,
I am able to honor my heritage and pay respect to the places I love.
Baker’s Acres doesn’t necessarily need to be a plot of land in Nebraska. It can be, however, my connection to my father, and his dream, as I enjoy the millions of acres that are our National Parks.
Thank you for taking some time to explore this “project” and I hope you appreciate the photos and stories that are shared here. Enjoy.