Take Me Back

My family takes a yearly vacation, this year we decided Yellowstone & Jackson Hole were our destinations. Only a few hours away and we entered a different world. Yellowstone is one of the most gorgeous places I've ever been. Though, this wasn't my first time there, it was the first time I could truly appreciate, and photograph, its beauty. However I didn't get to indulge myself as much as I would have liked so a return trip is already in mind.
Through Idaho, the corner of Montana and into the west entrance we followed the Madison River past geysers, elk filled plains and rocky cliff sides until we came to the Old Faithful park. We grabbed an ice cream cone, perused the shops and watched the videos they show in their small theater while waiting for the well timed geyser. After the eruption, and much to my dismay, we began the three hour drive out of Yellowstone to Jackson, Wyoming. The ride down did somewhat appease me as it was filled with great views of many lakes, a waterfall, and the Grand Tetons. 
I was teasing my parents, telling them they lied when they said there were buffalo everywhere, as that was the only large animal (that Yellowstone is famous for) that we hadn't seen. We ran into a traffic jam not far from Jackson, but not like any I was used to. A (very) large heard of bison roamed around and on the highway, causing drivers to slow and sometimes stop as they maneuvered away from them. 
Finally we reached Jackson. All of us hungry, my dad, very excitedly, suggested we eat at the Gun Barrel which he had enjoyed every time he was in Jackson. I understood why as soon as I took a bite of the elk medallions I had ordered. It was delicious. Dad ordered the bison steak, which I almost stole after he let me try it, and my sister and mom both got regular beef steaks. All of our meals were amazing and well worth the price. 
After a day of wandering Jackson, visiting the many shops, and getting a sugar overload, we were exhausted. We packed up the next day and headed all the way back home. (Of course, we stopped for ice cream not long after leaving.) Six hours of driving later we were home, we were tired, and our dogs were excited to us. 

This is a trip I will definitely be making again, hopefully very soon. Yellowstone is a place you need to spend at least a few days in to get the most out of your experience. There is so much to see and so much to do, a few hours, even a day, wouldn't be enough for me. This time though, I think I'll plan ahead on my own and hopefully find better lodging than hotel 6- even if that means a tent, or bed of a truck.

8 Deep

It's August and I'm disappointed. Gradually my life is getting more routine and less adventurous. I've gone weeks now without so much as taking a drive through the mountains, unheard of in the past. How do I balance my work and my family and still find time for these ideas floating around in my head? A better question is; how do I force myself to do these things alone? I want to travel, I want to get out of my comfort zone, and I want to experience as much as possible. Some things are best done alone, sometimes that's the better part of an experience, but sometimes you just want someone to share those moments with. The key idea being, though, to not hold yourself back because there isn't someone with you. Walk alone until you meet someone on the same path.

For the 4th of July my dad, sister, cousin Tyler and I all went camping on the Skyline Drive in Fairview, Utah. As tradition, we visit the small lake town of Scofield for their holiday events each year. This was the first time I used my truck to pull anything, it was the first time I put any weight in/on my truck actually. We loaded up our fourwheeler and side-by-side and I drug them over an hour up the canyon- slowly. My dad, who was pulling our house trailer, didn't even have the patience to follow behind me, passing me long before we reached our destination. Radio up loud and dog in the passenger seat I finally reached our camp spot and helped set up. A few hours later Tyler pulled in with his own trailer and we had a mighty fine night around the fire. Saturday morning we loaded up the machines and headed for Scofield. A few miles and a face full of dust later, we enjoyed ourselves in the small town. As the sun reached the western sky we began our ride back to camp, exhausted and ready to settle down for the night. 
An all day ride across the Skyline on Sunday left us dirty, sunburnt, tired and happy. My mom decided to visit our camp that night, lucky for her Tyler had been creative and made cobblers that night and Saturday night. After a sugar rush we all settled around the fire and chatted above the sound country songs. Mom headed home and we headed to bed, dreading the fact our trip was over come Monday morning. 
We packed up Monday morning and hurried our for one last ride, going down a trail I'd never seen before. The view was gorgeous and I seriously regretted having left my camera at camp. I will go back there as soon as possible, camera in hand and with time to explore. The weekend over, we headed back to the valley to enjoy the firework show presented by our many neighbors, ending the holiday and returning us to our routines. 

        

Roughin' It

The word "Camping" can fit such a wide variety of descriptions, who's to say which one is right? It can come as a luxury or a little more rough. Some people enjoy a trailer or cabin full of electronics and in a campground not far from the city, and some may prefer a cabin tucked back in the woods or a taking their trailer as far up a dirt road as possible. Maybe pitching a tent a few miles away, just for the night with some friends, or backpacking in on some rarely used trails sleeping under the stars. For me personally, I enjoy a few different ways of camping; a cabin or trailer, and on very rare occasion, a tent. I've never been one who thinks watching satellite T.V. in a cabin all weekend is part of the camping. I don't mind getting a little dirty or having to work to for what I need; a little "roughin' it" has given me my best memories.
Generally, people plan their camping trips days, or at least hours a head. They pack all their food and clothes, any equipment they may need, and they have a pretty good idea of where they're going. And then there's me and my friend, who decided at 10pm one Saturday that, instead of waking up early to go fishing, we would quickly pack up and stay near the lake. Given, neither of us had gone camping this canyon. Ever. So, at nearly 11pm we started or journey. It was past 1am before we finally were able find a spot to sleep, because somehow we had forgotten it was Father's Day weekend and every single possible camp spot was packed with trailers and tents. In an odd little grove of trees we parked the truck, threw our bedding down in the bed of the truck and finally managed some sleep. Until 6am when our alarm went off and we loaded everything back up, jumped in the truck and drove to the lake- which we had to pay an (unknown) fee to use. Five hours and two fish later, we trekked back to the parking lot and tore open a few cans food we had tossed in, regretting not getting more food. Luckily I had bought a small cooking kit that came with a small pot, coals, a tiny stove and utensils. A can of chili and baked beans never tasted so good.We decided it was time to get home, we were tired and hot and seriously regretting our decision making skills. But something caught our eye. A one vehicle dirt road winding through a beautiful patch of woods lead to a small pond on a hill. Clear and gorgeous, surrounded by pines and quaking aspens on all sides except for where a lush green meadow stretch out far below it. We didn't catch a thing, but the cool water and beauty of the mountain-scape was enough to make the trip worth it. It's an adventure I wont soon forget.

Now don't get me wrong, we knew what we were doing, we chose to take very little and, if needed, were more prepared then we let even ourselves think. Being totally unprepared to venture into nature is not a good idea, a simple pocket sized survival kit can be life and death if something goes wrong. No matter how you like to enjoy nature, enjoy it safely and smartly.

Recap.

     I want to think back on the last few months. What has happened in my life, what has changed me for the better, or for the worse. I feel like last year and what has passed of this year has had a huge impact on my life, on the way I see things and where my future is headed.

     Early last year was slow and not much happened. I did a lot of things of with my few close friends over the summer; camping hiking, and a lot of late night "adventures" as we called them.  In July I quit my part time job and started a full time job 50+ miles from my home town. It was a hard and very stressful transition, but I stuck with it. Fall was a bit of a confusing time. My little sister and I shot our first deer during the hunt in October. That same trip we received a call that my Grandma had fallen and was in the hospital. The next couple of weeks were hard on my family. She had been living with us up until then, but she was no longer in  good body or mind shape to stay. They moved her to rest home and she never seemed to get better.  
     Winter came I finally found an apartment, making my move in December. It was lonely, but I found it wasn't as hard I thought it might be. As the year ended, sadly I had lost many of my friends. We fell apart and I feel a lot of it could have been prevented if I had made different choices- but would that have been right? 
     In February, after a lot of searching, I found myself buying a puppy. A pretty little Border Collie/Brittany Spaniel/Shar Pei... mutt! And not long after, in April, a 1984 Chevy longbed. I felt like money wouldn't ever be a problem for me. My rent was low, my pay was good. But I was wrong, I slowly started to drain my money with unexpected expenses and had to learn to start budgeting better. 
     This month itself has been filled with ups and down. My grandma became very ill, and passed only a few weeks ago. I feel like I should be sadder, but I'm not. I think the reason is because it really was her time to pass and I live knowing she is happy with her family and my grandpa. The weather has started clearing, though May is a moody month here in Utah, I can feel summer coming. I'm starting to gain some of my money back and am not scraping for cash anymore. I have begun making amends for the wrongs I've done in the past and I can feel myself growing. Over all, I feel this year will move me forward in my life and give me many new experiences. I'm looking to the future with open arms. 

Dreamer

I created this blog to force myself into exploring. Exploring my city, my state, my country; following the wind where ever it may take me. Even if I can only be a Weekend Warrior, while keeping my desk job, I want to live an adventurous life and not sit around waiting for excitement to find me. I'm tired of watching myself grow older and having nothing to show for it. I want memories that are worth sharing and to not find myself wishing I had done 'this' or 'that' in 20, 30, 40 years. 

I dream about being a 'real' photographer nearly every day. Small photo shoots with friends and family are not enough for me. I want to immerse myself in nature and nature photography. I want to show the world how beautiful it can be even to just step outside the front door. 

 So with a backpack, my camera, my dog and whoever wants to follow, I will live.