Upper Lena Lake - Olympic National Park

I took an overnight solo backpacking trip to Upper Lake Lena to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower.  The hike was leisurely to begin and increased in grade for a nearly 4000 foot elevation gain in seven miles.   The hike started in lush hemlock forest with huckleberry bushes and Devil's Club and transitioned to large cedars and eventually to meadows of wildflowers near the lake.   The meteor shower was spectacular.   All around the lake you could hear other campers cheering as the sky was scratched with quick white blazes.    

The water was refreshing and cool after the long hike up.  I didn't realize there were fish in the lake until I started to see small ripples from where they were catching flies.  

The last touch of sunset on Mt Bretherton.

Morning dew.

 

I wasn't able to catch any shooting stars with my camera, but I do enjoy this short star trail reflected in the lake.    The smoky section about Mt Bretherton is actually a part of the Milky Way.  

San Juan Islands Solo

Nearly two years have passed since I left guiding.   At times, I feel like I have a difficult time translating that life into my current day to day in Seattle.   In an attempt to infuse the confidence and passion for life I had as a guide, I took an impromptu solo paddling trip to the San Juan Islands.   It wasn't remote, it wasn't Alaska, but I was able to once again time my day with the tides, my meals when I was hungry, my clothing to the weather and my sleep when I was tired.   I disconnected from my six or so forms of social media and listened to the birds, the sound of harbor porpoise breathing and the flow of turning breeze.   Simple pleasures.  

Take time in life to do the things you love for they build the character of your identity, or, at least they should.   

Clouds in the water.

Morning fog.  Near Friday Harbor.

Watching the fog lift.   A shadow of another island begins to emerge.

Lichen

Bug.

Jones Island

 

Glass.

Neighbor.  Greg.

Neighbor.  Eric.

 

 

 

9:15 pm PST

9:17 pm PST

Scar

Bidarka.  

Breakfast.

 

Christy and Pablo

I do not typically shoot engagements, but I could not resist spending an afternoon photographing my lovely housemate Christy and her fiance Pablo.  They are a beautiful couple and wonderful friends.    

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Good luck kids!   

Portraits of Friends

Some very close friends of mine call Port Townsend home.  They always welcome me to their home with kindness, laughs and wonderful hospitality.    They will be embarking on an incredible trip this fall and I wish them all the luck and love in their travels.