I started my blog with an image and soundtrack from Slough Creek.  It was a great hike for many reasons … spring flowers were popping, the light was really nice with clouds floating in and out, a sprinkle of spring rain a couple of times, a lovely pond and a meadow at our turnaround point, …. I could go on.

The sites and photographic opportunities made each day’s hike a real treat, as well as the new friendships we developed.  But another very special aspect of the trails was the serenity.  The air was clean, there was no noise polution, and quietly observing God’s handiwork helped me meditate on the things that are truly inspiring and important in life.  It made the difficult climbs and challenges of the 7,000 ft. elevation well worth the effort and energy.

This image of Louisa and Paul, a lovely Vermont couple who adores the outdoors and hiking, reminded me that my close relationships are a hugely important part of my life.  It’s so easy to take our closest family and friends for granted because they are always there for us, day-in and day-out.

Listen in (click the Audio under the image and adjust your sound if necessary) to hear a little bit of nature and the serenity of a walk along Slough Creek Trail while viewing the image of Louisa and Paul.  Their casual stride and conversation sounds so peaceful and inviting, doesn’t it?  Use this as your spark to reflect for a moment, then hug or share a special “Thank You” with an important person in your life!  Louisa and Paul – Thanks for coming to the workshop and for letting us become friends with you.

Louisa and Paul on Sough Creek Trail

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One of the COOLEST things about this trip was having my brother Larry there, along with his wife Judy.

Back story:  Larry is 11 1/2 years older than me.  It’s an understatement to say that I really looked up to him and our brother Mike (12 1/2 years my senior) when I was a kid.  Larry was out of the Navy and in college studying art and photography when I entered high school.  He introduced me to photography.  He amazed me with his creative eye and the beautiful images he produce with film.  His small black and white “lab” in the shed behind his house seemed like a magical place to me.  He showed me enough of the basics for me to want my own camera.

So off I went, buying a 35mm Pentax with one 50mm lens, dabbling through high school and college.  Around the same time, Larry went to work for a studio in Nashville, but left photography to pursue a different career.  I pretty much dropped photography in 1984 after my college yearbook days.  My photography interests were rekindled in 1998, and I’ve truly been immersed in it ever since.  Larry recently renewed his interest in photography after being on hiatus since the mid-80’s, except an occasional point and shoot moment.

So, this trip was Larry’s first real dive back into using a “real camera” … only, there’s no film in it!  Learning digital was new and exciting for him, if not initially intimidating.

I think most of us dream of the day that we become good enough at a craft that our mentor or teacher is proud of us, and from whom we’ve earned respect.  Well, that was the feeling I had with Larry participating in our workshop.  To think that I could actually help teach him something about photography, which he introduced me to and had such a mastery of years ago, was both an honor and a blessing!  I still have a long way to go to reach my photographic aspirations, but this was a proud and pivotal moment in many respects.  Among other things, it helped me stop and realize a) how thankful I was that Larry took the time years ago to share something he loved with me, and b) the progress I’ve made after all the time, effort, and passion I’ve devoted.

Larry and Mark - Hoo Doos Trail

The June workshop group was fantastic.  We had such a wide variety of people:  Full-time pro photographers, corporate employees, entrepreneurs, a state trooper, and a fossil expert.  Everyone was so flexible and eager to take in the beauty and challenges of each day.  Our days started with leaving the hotel at 5am.  We had a mid-day break between noon and 3’ish, then were out until 9-10pm.  Oh, and did I mention we did at least one 5-mile+ hike each day in elevations of 7,000 feet?  We were whipped!

I would like to personally thank each and every member of the group for a wonderful experience.  It was truly amazing!

Front (kneeling):  Carl (my workshop accomplice), yours truly, Mandy, Louisa, Tom
Back (standing): Kathryn, Marc, Larry, Brent, Kevin, Tony, Katie, Ron, Cyndi

Yellowstone Group at Grand Prismatic Spring

Group Hiking Beaver Ponds Trail