It feels like a big statement to say that this was the best summer of my life…but I think it might have been.
We make a living photographing destination weddings throughout the Colorado Rockies. In summers past, we would photograph 1-2 weddings every weekend for 18 weekends straight. During the week we would edit and manage the business. We never saw our friends, we very rarely went camping, and come October we’d be beyond fried.
Back in 2017 I was burnt out and not sure how, or even if, I wanted to proceed in this career. But there were two major factors that kept me coming back. There’s no place I’d rather spend my summers than in the Rocky Mountains (and photographing weddings on mountain tops is a pretty sweet gig). Second, we could bank enough cash in 6 months to travel for the entire winter. While the burn out was real, I couldn’t imagine finding a career with better perks than that.
This summer we commissioned roughly 2/3rds of the workload we had in the past. And because we are debt-free and have so few living expenses, we could afford to cut back. We had a few weekends off, got to spend time with friends, and even had the time to travel back to Iowa for our nephew’s wedding (something we never had time for in the past). We went on some incredible day-long hikes, had enough time to continue cooking healthy meals, and did it all while living in our RV full-time. Our routine of moving to a new boondocking spot every 14 days continued to treat us well. Not once did we have hookups the entire summer and in four months we only paid for 9 nights of camping.
Every spot we stayed at was gorgeous, a convenient drive to work, and had useable cell signal. The weather was just as dreamy as it’s always been and the wildfire season was mild. I used to question whether or not we could run our business while living in an RV full-time. After this summer I know that it’s not just possible, it’s our perfect recipe for balancing work and play.
Our first camp site of the summer was only a mile from where we used to live. The views of the Gore Range made us feel right at home. 
With trails always right out our back door, I’d often have enough time to squeeze in a hike before work. 
Most days the weather was perfect. Our back door was open more often than it was not. 
This is why we bought a toy hauler. It’s the best office I’ve ever had. 
We had just the right amount of work this summer which left us enough time to continue cooking from-scratch meals. Something we’ve really come to appreciate since the start of the pandemic. 
The wildflowers this year were some of the best we’ve ever seen. 
A free waterfront campsite. I didn’t think such a thing existed in Colorado. 
These unruly neighbors eventually ran us out. They woke us every morning at the crack of dawn rubbing up against the trailer, knocking our bikes over, and biting on the truck bumper. Luckily we didn’t have to go far to find another great spot. 
Dreamy views from yet another perfect campsite. 
On this particular day we packed a picnic and ended up here. 
Our friend Nathan, as jolly as he always is, even though he wasn’t far from getting his motorhome stuck in the mud. 
Being back near our old stomping grounds allowed us time to reconnect with friends. 
Sharing camp with Seth & Drea. 
Sharing that same camp with Katie & Justin. 
Same camp, more friends! 
While I paddleboarded, Megan got in a training swim for her upcoming triathlon. 
During peak summer temps, it felt good to be in the forest. 
We spent one spontaneous (and gorgeous) night in our tent. 
I got a text from Seth one day that said “send me your coordinates, we’re going to come up for the weekend”. I love friendships that work with such ease. 
Celebrating Seth’s birthday with some delicious homemade strawberry shortcake. 
ne night we left the trailer behind to go camp in the truck camper at one of our favorite trailheads… 
…thus affording us maximum daylight for the day’s hike. 
Our one and only stay at a campground this summer. 
In June we celebrated one year of living on the road and this time around we’ve really hit our stride. I can’t imagine us stopping anytime soon.
Until next time, we hope you enjoyed this little recap of our summer in Colorado’s high country!
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