This quote has been stuck in my mind lately. It’s simple, yet powerful message is a driving force for moving yourself forward with whatever finds your heart.
“All you have to do is commit your entire life to something, which will result in one of two outcomes. Either you will succeed, or you will die trying, which is in and of itself it’s own form of success.” ~ Rich Roll
*Crystal Blue – Slaughter Gulch Trail // Cooper Landing, Alaska*
Although you’d likely never guess it from the name of the trail, this has to be one of my favorite hikes. Stunning overlooks, beautiful mountain wildflower patches, and even a bear or two! 🙂 Standing high above the small town of Cooper Landing, in the Kenai Peninsula is the Slaughter Gulch trail, concluding on one of the mountain summits surrounding this quaint town, split by the crystal blue waters of the Kenai River.
I’ve been contemplating a speech I heard recently by Jim Carrey, if you haven’t already seen it, it was exactly what you’d expect from him, but a whole lot more.
“Now fear is going to be a player in your life but you get to decide how much. You can spend your whole life imaging ghosts, worrying about the pathway to the future. But all there will ever be is what is happening here and the decision we make in this moment…” ~
*Fading Away – Mt Redoubt // Kenai Peninsula*
Every once in a long while, everything seems to work out. The stars align and you’re in exactly the right place, the right time, with the right resources. Take the time to enjoy those moments.
Next month, I’ll be joining Dave Taylor (David Ryan Taylor Photography) for another adventure, full of mosquitoes and Lupines! We had a great couple of days shooting together in Anchorage, and it’s been great getting to know him and his wife.
*In the Distance – Denali National Park // Alaska Range*
Words find no way to express the magnitude of a mountain range like the Alaska Range. It’s beyond anything I’ve seen before, and last night I was lucky enough to have had the pleasure to take a flight loop around Mount McKinley (also known as Denali). Seeing a 20,000 foot high mountain from 23,000 feet brought even another perspective to the extreme challenge that it would be to climb. Maybe one day… 😛
Monday I’m making my second journey to Alaska. It didn’t take long to realize all the beauty this place had to offer, and I’m excited to explore further in to it’s intricacies.
*The Mirror – Eagle River // Anchorage, Alaska*
This is one of the areas that I’m certain I’ll spend more time, Eagle River Nature Center, in the valley of the Chugach Mountains. I had arrived to this nature area at near sunset, as this time of the year the sun was going down around 17:30. The air had a cold bite, but it was still, perfect for reflections in the beaver dam lake along the trail.
I’m planning a new type of post in the near future, photo stories. It’s a plan to tell a little more behind the scenes of some of our adventures. Keep an eye out in the near future!
*Andrew – Eagle River Canyon // Anchorage, Alaska*
It’s amazing how small the world can make you feel sometimes. Andrew and I played rugby together in Illinois on and off over the last years, but probably hadn’t seen each other in over 8 months. While I was traveling thru Alaska, sitting at a random bar getting a frosty beverage and taking in the day, a stranger sat down next to me, face obscured by a ball cap and beard. A moment of ‘who the hell is this’ quickly turned to amazement, followed by hugs and laughter.
I’m putting together a small photo essay on the dog’s that we were introduced to thru Andrew, as it was a truly awesome experience to spend so much time with Andrew and his dogs, to really see the relationship that they have.
Meet Andrew. A solid rugby player, good friend, and dog musher.
While it was pretty white in Alaska (besides the northern lights of course), it’s been a color explosion here in Portland, along with the annual cherry blossoms, just about everything else is in bloom as well. I can’t wait for wildflower season!
*Glass – Eagle River // Anchorage, Alaska*
On a tip from a fellow northern lights photographer up in Fairbanks, I went exploring at the Eagle River Nature Center my first night in Anchorage. The park was empty, the wilderness was silent. It was a perfect place to get lost in making photographs. This one turned out to be one of my favorites.
