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Winter!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Ahhh Utah.  I have made it back to the West and more specifically, the snow!  I have been dreaming about powder days and backcountry trips for months now (even while hanging out in board shorts in Hawaii), so it is really exciting to finally be here.

Since leaving St. Louis soon after my last post, El Guapo (the van) and I have traveled roughly 1,500 miles, stopping in Denver, Boulder and Cheyenne to reconnect with old friends and to meet with new ones.  We were on a tight schedule and managed to make it to Salt Lake City just in time for a solid few days of Outdoor Retailer Show (OR) madness.  It was all a bit overwhelming at first, but in the end, I met some great people, learned a lot about the show and connected with some characters I had only previously known through social networking.  And if that wasn’t enough, I somehow managed to try on the new Champion SuperSuit while hearing stories of an expedition to Mount Pumori in the Himalaya.

These tales of experience were everywhere, from adventure racing in Tierra del Fuego to sledge hauling across Antarctica and expeditions on Everest.  It was all pretty impressive, but my favorite story was of a van dweller turned editor.  This was definitely my crowd, and definitely worth the long distance sprint.

I have since spent my time plowing through a few items I haven’t been able to handle in the previously mentioned craziness, but am looking forward to getting on a mountain this weekend and really diving into winter.  In the coming weeks I will be shooting something I have been planning for more than a year, and can’t wait to really have at it.

On a side note, my friend and fellow adventure photographer Michael Clark (no relation) has recently published his new book Digital Masters: Adventure Photography.  It is an all encompassing read on how to capture high-end adventure sports images, from equipment and techniques to the many approaches one can take in becoming a pro.

I learned about this book one morning last spring when I was surprised and honored to receive a call from Michael asking if I would be a resource for the whitewater section.  I of course said yes and am now very proud and excited to announce that it is on the shelves.  You can order one online at Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble, or just pick one up at your local bookstore.

Nice work Michael!







On the Road Again

Sunday, January 17, 2010

That’s right folks, after a month of rest, catching up, planning, holidays, family time and van upgrades, El Guapo (the van) and I are finally rolling again, and IT FEELS GOOD. 

A full month sounds like a long time to rest, but after an eleven-month stretch on the road, it was a wonderful respite. The truth is, I actually had no idea how run down I was until my head hit the pillow for the first time, inside the house and on a real bed.

Life has been very busy, productive, and fulfilling, but in different ways.  I traded shooting, driving and outside time for planning and family time, which proved invaluable.  I never know when I will see my family next, so for the past few years I have dedicated this time of year to just being there, enjoying morning conversations over coffee (where any topic is fair game), watching movies after dinner (when I might usually be working) and, of course, eating a lot of good food and laughing as much as possible.  On top of all of that, I was able to reconnect with a lot of old friends.  It was a great month.

I do apologize for taking a little break from updating the blog, but time just went too quickly.

Since leaving home on Wednesday morning, Guapo and I have already driven a full day to St. Louis, met up with an old friend (and made some new friends), met with our web designers (www.simpleflame.com) to discuss some new projects and the upcoming year, started hands on work with this year’s Trevor Clark Photography swag (among other fun things), shot cycling in freezing fog and we are currently parked in the driveway of one of my favorite families.  The upcoming schedule is more of the same craziness, with a drive to Denver on Monday, Boulder on Tuesday and Salt Lake City on Wednesday, complete with meet ups and meetings along the way.  It’s life back on the road, and I love it!

I can’t describe the feeling I get while packing ole’ Guapo for the long haul.  The experience is on par with packing for an expedition of unknown duration, geography and activities.  Every detail must be thought through because the absence of the smallest item can be debilitating.  The whole ordeal can be mind numbing, but it always stirs those internal humbling and exciting thoughts and emotions that go along with the anticipation of a grand adventure.

Goodbyes are never easy, so I try not to dwell on them because as I am driving away from my family and friends, I know I am also driving into a new world of people, places and experiences.  In fact, the entire driving experience has become a metaphor for my life because every mile that Guapo and I travel together is another mile in the direction of a future that I hold in my hands.  My family understands that, and I know they are proud of me for charting my own path, so we just focus on the positives and remember that we are always just a phone call away.

Besides, this is a BIG year.  There are tons of plans in the mix right now and even more opportunities to grab onto.  Guapo is more sophisticated and capable than ever (we even have a new Wi-Fi system in place), and a restful month with my family has given me an entirely new brand of energy to move forward with.

And if all of that wasn’t enough, one of my last meals with the folks yielded a fortune cookie message that reads, “A bold and dashing adventure is in your future within the year.”  Works for me!

(Great friend Blaine Deutsch working hard.)


(Great friend Blaine Deutsch playing hard.)

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