A  simple and graphically pleasing image of Sen. McCain walking out on stage.

Caption: Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) waves prior to giving his acceptance speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 4, 2008. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A flower held by a demonstrator to the baton wielding riot police, adds welcome color and contrast.

Caption: A protester holds a flower out to riot police outside the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 4, 2008. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Image of the nominee rim lit against a black background makes a nice portrait.

Caption:  Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) arrives to accept the nomination
at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 4, 2008. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Every year since he took office in 2001, President George W. Bush has taken a summer vacation at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, a small town that has come to identify itself as the “Western White House.” This year was different, though. Only once during his 13-day vacation in Crawford did Bush appear before the news media and only once did he use Texas as a base to make a daytrip. The president was rarely seen, even though his name and face is everywhere in town. Crawford brimmed with White House personnel, Secret Service agents and members of the media even as Bush remained out of sight.

It made me think, what will it be like for Crawford when Bush leaves office next year and life returns to some sense of normal?

I took the opportunity to explore the town a little bit, as it was only my second visit. I did, in fact, find images of the president everywhere — in life-sized cardboard cutouts, hot sauce bottles, coasters, mugs and glasses. There were even bobble head dolls, paper dolls and action figures. I found a town that was very proud to have Bush as their neighbor, but a little tired of the traveling circus that comes with him. I was told that the mayor never gives interviews and the manager of the local coffee shop didn’t want to talk to me either.

Thankfully, the owner of a local souvenir shop was happy to chat about her town and her famous neighbor. Interestingly, she hoped Bush may consider coaching a local baseball team after he leaves the Oval Office. For me, the sentiment was a nice little surprise and a measure of just how much affection and even accessibility the people of Crawford feel for a man who’s often there, but not really there.

To view the audio slideshow, click here.

After Gov. Palin’s speech which kept most attendees on their feet, she was greeted on stage with her family as expected.   Here we have a nice moment of her holding her infant son Trig on stage.

Caption: Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin hugs her son Trig onstage after her address to the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 3, 2008. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

News of Gov. Palin’s 17 yr-old daughter Bristol pregnant with boyfriend Levi’s baby has resulted in much controversy. The engaged couple have been seen holding hands since we’ve seen them together, here in a nice moment with youngest Palin daughter Piper.

Caption: Levi Johnston (C) sits with his girlfriend Bristol Palin (R) and her sister Piper Palin, the daughters of vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin, at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 3, 2008. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

A really nice reflection image produced by lighting the subjects being reflected in the stage front.

Caption: Delegates are reflected in the front of the stage as they applaud former Republican presidential candidate and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani as he speaks during the third session of the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 3, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

This image is a perfect illulstration of just how passionate Giuliani’s speech and delivery was.

Caption: Former Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani speaks at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 3, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Segar

President Bush was unable to attend the RNC as originally planned, but instead he appears much larger than life on the huge screen addressing the convention live from the White House while first lady Laura Bush walks accross the stage at left.

Caption: U.S. first lady Laura Bush leaves the stage after introducing her husband, President George W. Bush, who spoke from the White House via satellite on a big screen to the 2008 Republican National Convention, in St Paul, Minnesota September 2, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Sen. McCain’s military service is no secret to the country and his campaign, and here the use of the large screen and impact of a familiar image of McCain as a POW, work to illustrate his service while former Sen. Fred Thompson speaks.

Caption: Former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson (R-TN) speaks, with a picture of Republican presidential nominee John McCain behind him, at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St Paul, Minnesota, September 2, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Segar

A simple yet eye-catching image of a demonstrator’s fist with blurred police in riot gear has lots of impact without showing violence or chaos.  With more depth of field this image would have had a very different feeling and may not have been nearly as effective.

Caption: A demonstrator raises his fist in protest in front of lines of riot police during protests that turned violent outside the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 2, 2008. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

The RNC was off to a slow start on Monday as Pres. Bush did not speak as planned due to Hurricane Gustav, but the protesters showed up in full force, as many as 10, 000 showed off their artful slogans which made for colorful eye-catching images.

Caption: Demonstrators march during a rally to the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 1, 2008. REUTERS/Eric Miller

Hurricane Gustav story was illustrated all the up in St. Paul, MN with an image showing the empty seats of the Louisana delegates who returned to their home state to focus on the storm and its effects.

Caption: Rhode Island delegate Virginia Butterworth looks at empty Louisiana delegation seats at the start of the first session at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota September 1, 2008. REUTERS/Jim Young