Our life on the road

Gunnison National Forest // It’s Thursday.  With the weekend upon us and no weddings or portrait sessions scheduled, it’s time to decide where we’d like to be and get settled.  The last couple of years, I’ve said that Thursday is the new Friday.  Dispersed campsites begin filling up Thursday afternoon, and for that reason, we try to avoid searching for a place to stay on a Friday...

Buena Vista, Colorado // Yesterday, we moved about an hour down the road to Buena Vista.  This morning, while out on a walkabout, I was amazed by the sheer number of campsites in this one area.  We’re only a couple of miles away from downtown Buena Vista.  It’s unusual to find so many camping opportunities in such close proximity to a popular mountain town.  It’s a refreshing...

Buena Vista, Colorado // Years ago, I heard an author say, “Sometimes I don’t know what I think until I write.”  I can’t recall who it was that said that, but I can tell you that few words have resonated more deeply with me.  Writing is how I process things.  For me, clarity often lies on the other side of the written word. Today, instead of sharing how our day unfolded, I’d like...

San Isabel National Forest, Colorado // We check out of our Airbnb this morning with ten days to roam around before our next obligation.  With that kind of freedom, I have one simple desire.  I want to go somewhere in Colorado we’ve never been before; a goal easier said than done.  My sights are set on the west side of the Sawatch Range.  Many years ago, we spent a single...

Keystone, Colorado // I wake up stiff and groggy and am surprised to find Mark asleep on the couch.  He must have moved in the middle of the night.  While I’ve been tolerating the extra soft bed, it turns out he couldn’t take it anymore.  This is the problem with Airbnbs and hotels: you have no clue what you’re getting when it comes to a bed.  It’s perhaps one of our favorite...

Keystone, Colorado // Today’s workday entails providing ten hours of photography coverage for the wedding of Hayden & Joe.  Our morning is dedicated to getting ourselves ready, triple-checking that all of our gear is ready to go, and reviewing the day’s timeline and notes.  Being as prepared and organized as possible is always a priority for us so that we may provide our couples...

It’s another beautiful, crystal-clear morning.  But after being kept up half the night with a piercing headache, I want nothing to do with being outside in the bright light of day.  Reluctantly, I crawl back into bed, hoping that perhaps another hour of sleep will help me feel less crummy.  It’s Friday.  We have a big work weekend ahead.  I really need to be feeling my...

Arapahoe National Forest, Colorado // Last night’s smoke made its way out of the valley overnight.  When I step outside, just after sunrise, I’m greeted by clearer skies than I’ve seen in a month.  Seeing bright white clouds against a vibrant blue sky feels much more like the Colorado that I’m used to. I take a seat in my camp chair and gaze downriver just in time to see two giant bull...

Arapaho National Forest, Colorado // We didn’t sleep well.  Partially because the wind was relentless.  The roar through the pines was so ferocious that it caused us both anxiety.  The other factor at hand was fire danger.  Three new wildfires were sparked by dry lighting over the weekend and have quickly grown to several thousand acres.  They aren’t nearby, though we can...

White River National Forest, Colorado // By 9 am, all our possessions are cleared out of our Airbnb and loaded back into the camper. Having a place to stay for the busy work weekend was great, but I can’t count how many trips we’ve made from the camper to the condo and back to grab one thing or another. It’s not like we travel with suitcases and simply have a bag or two to move around. Instead...