Revamp, renew... or just make new

This is one of the most interesting shoots that I have done.  For their anniversary she wanted to do pictures for her husband in her wedding dress.  When she got married she never really got bridal shots done and their kids were not there so this was her revamp.  She took these and made her husband an anniversary present.  One of the most creative ideas I have heard of in a while...

  

The Incline. . . of doom

So I said that I was super psyched about "The Incline"  well I was. . . just about till I was standing at the base of it ready to start the ladder climb that is the incline.  The pictures that are on Google and that I took just don't cover it.  They can't make you understand.   Imagine standing at the base of a mountain, allow your eye to follow the path at your feet all the way to the top.  Now imagine that whole long path at angles ranging from 45 degrees to upwards of 75 degrees.  To make this clear: stairs are a 45 degree angle, ladders leaned against a house are generally 65 degrees.  Does this help the visual?

While you are imaging, visualize me standing at the base of the mountain looking up winded from climbing the small hill that brings you to the base of the trail.  I sat there "waiting" for everyone else to get to the base before we started thinking, "this is crazy... no way I make it to the top".  One foot in front of the other I start the 1.5 mile path (not long you think, well it goes up 2000 feet in that 1.5 mile hike).  Not looking forward to make sure not to loose my footing I start feeling winded.  Thinking "I have had to have gone a bit by now" I look up to the top and realize it looks even further away then when I started.  How is it possible.

When we set out I was in the first group... mistake.  You see two people in this group are serious athletes and beasts.  Liz (the female soccer, track, volleyball, and you name it player) was practically jogging/speed walking up the mountain.  But thankfully everyone was willing to stop to take breathers. . .

To "enjoy the view", I can tell you right now I wasn't paying attention to anything past trying to suck in breath as much and as fast as I could.

And more breathers. . .

Looking at this view you would think we were there, unfortunately you would be dead wrong.  Not even half way.

And more breathers. . . Did I mention it is  2000 feet climb?

 I'm telling you that it must have been an escalator trying to move us down because I felt like I never made forward movement.  To extend your red faced, wind sucking and sweaty visual you have of me, now add a bear crawl.  Yes, I did resort to a bear crawl.  I don't care if you laugh, it works!

Still not there. . .

Though there was pain and at points I just wanted to give in and let my lungs collapse, I made it.  I actually got to the top second (behind what I am now pretty sure isn't really human: Liz) then Trent (other beast of an athelete) and Chris came in at the same time just after me.  1.5 miles, 2000 feet up. . . when you put it that way I don't mind that it took me an hour.  I was happy that we found another winded hiker waiting before the 3 mile run down the mountain to take our picture.

He was a very nice man but he didn't get one with the view and since we had made it to the top. . .

By the time I got to the bottom again oddly I wanted to do it again.  I will miss you CO and all your amazing hiking abilities!

On a sad note.  Due to. . . well, circumstances out of my control we had to climb down the rail ties we had just climbed up (not advised... not safe) and we found our selves slipping and falling.  So aside from the normal cuts, nicks and scratches to be found *sigh* I had my camera with me.  My beautiful 50 mm 1.4 lens landed with a thud on a tie and is no more.  A moment of silence is needed. . .

Other than that very sad note it was a wonderful trip filled with fun and exciting new things and amazing people.  If you ever get a chance to go to CO: GO!  If you ever get a chance to go with amazing people to CO: REALLY GO!  Makes me want to start singing "America the Beautiful"

Out to play

This weekend is going to be great!  Do you know why?  OH, I DO!

I get to see my 2nd parents.  We are going to CO to see Chris' rents.  His dad is in the Army and has just arrived back and we get to go out for a few days and hang around.  Though we have gone and seen them in CO before this will be our first time in CO in the summer.  I am excited!  His dad has, as per usual, an iterator for the whole time we are there.

Part of this time will include a famous hike: THE INCLINE.

According to my Dad#2

"What is the incline? It’s an unforgettable, most difficult hike - one mile up in length - 2800 railroad ties (steps) - 2000 feet of vertical climb - and a three mile hike back down the Barr trail (most people run or jog down) - This is one serious workout.

Why do it? It’s a once in a life time opportunity worthy of your best efforts – it’s a very popular hiking trail (thousands do this trail daily), so we need to get there early (plan on leaving the house at 0530 on Monday 25 July) – we’ll be finished and back home by 0830 - a lot of people train on this trail, chugging up to the top in 40-60 minutes and racing back down in another 20-40 minutes - So we’ll be mindful of our speed (or lack thereof) and the pace of others behind you – it’s tradition to let faster hikers pass you with ease (step aside).


The trail is always full of people trudging or dashing up the wooden beams - the climb is difficult, but the views are stunning – the sun will rise to the east behind us and while most of the time you're looking at your footing, when you stop (for air) and look around, it's really worth it - you'll be above 7,000 feet, and your surroundings are pine trees and giant boulders.

There's a false summit, so if you're new to the trail, don't celebrate too early - about half-way up, there is a place where you can sneak over on the Barr Trail back down if it's too intense for you at that time.

There are wild animal concerns (bear, coyote, fox, wolf, elk/dear, mountain lion, and the like) but, stay on the trail and follow my instructions and we’ll be fine – there have been very few wild life incidents in this area but ‘seeing’ them is very common. 

Don’t forget to bring water (you will need it) – durable light weight running or hiking shoes – sunglasses, breathable or wicking shorts and shirt (dress light) – it will be cold (50-60 degrees) to start, but it heats up fast . 

Remember to stop and take in the views and take pics – remember to be safe, always ensure you have sure footing going up and down (many people trip and fall), eat a high protein dinner the night prior, heavy hydrate the 24 hours prior. "

To me this sounds amazing.  Yes, legs will be sore, lungs will scream for air and falling isn't an option but really how many times do you get this type of opportunity?  

But to give you an idea of our visit: this is just one item on our filled iterator!  

Can't wait to see you, #2 rents!

There and back again: a Rachel Tale

In a house above ground there lived a girl.  Not a hairy, large footed girl but simply a girl who wasn't quite ready to leave on time.  Silbo was lovely and sweet, a little too sweet for she agreed to help this knight with a declaration to his people and it was taking longer than she had thought.  It took some bidding from our part but we got them to agree to go on our quest.

So on our wee white stallion we, Silbo, Chrwalin, Sili and I, Randalf, all crawled.  Instead of fighting the large noise dragons that we came across we simply passed them by, which was a jolly good plan for it got us to the mountain where our riddle would lead us to our golden treasure:

"A box without hinges, key or lid, Yet golden treasure inside is hid"



And what a yummy treasure indeed!  And that was just the start of our adventure

During our long quest there were battles to be had...

Damsels to rescue

Evil to vanquish

Trolls...

Paths to follow

 Joy to be had!

All to finally come out the other side the mountain...

Some things were so scary that face were stuck permanently ;P

But ultimately we made it back to the "Hole" safely.

Happy Father's Day

I know that Father's day was yesterday but I don't post on Sundays so I thought I would put my tribute to Fathers on today.

My Dad, Dean.

My Dad-in-law, Kevin.

Thank you to all the dad's who are involved in your children's lives.  Thank you for the mistakes you make because they form who we are just as much as the amazing things.  Thank you for taking time out of your schedule, take time when you are tired and invest in who we will be!  Thank you for providing what is our lives.  Thank you for forming our base person from whom we become who we are today. 

Today, It's a fantastic, wonderful, amazing... well, day

Today is a great.

Not only because it is another day to live. Not only is it because it is the only June 16, 2011.  Not only because I am married to my best friend... literally.  Not only because I is summer and the pools are open.  Not only because I got to have  a lovely evening with friends last night. Not only because I am choosing to be completely positive (not the norm... more of a realist... I take things for how they are).

NO, Today is great even without those and any other reason of which you can not think.

Today is great because my second dad (dad-in-law) is home safe.  He arrived last night (late my time) safely back into the loving and waiting arms of his dear wife.

Today is great because he is a brave man, who is a loving husband and caring father who serves this country so that I have the freedom to write this post, and he is home.

Today is great because it brings us a day closer to being able to see him and spend time with him and his lovely wife.

Today is great.

Exposure challenge

So, I recently decided to make myself a challenge:  I want to take as little pictures as possible.  Sounds strange I know but this is what I mean.  Often it is practice with digital photography to just snap away but I want to use the mindset of film photography while using digital equipment.  So I have made a challenge between myself and my husband (Chris) to try and make each shot perfect (as humanly possible), each shot count.  

I have desired to hone my skills in this area for a while but I have been delving deep into educating myself further on photography.  New equipment, thinking outside the box, challenging myself not to do just the same poses as before but completely rethinking each time.  And I came across a video of a couple of different well known photographers, one of which was of course Jasmine Star, who were talking about knowing your exposure settings so that in any given light you already know at least a starting place.  I am already pretty comfortable with knowing my settings for lighting but it was a challenge to both not get comfortable, to try new settings, to make sure that I pick up my camera each day... it is harder than you would think.  It is so easy to get distracted by the day to day.  But when I do pick up my camera, when I do take the moment to play around... such joy.  There are few things that I have as deep of a passion for as capturing the beauty of life... taking the moment the groom whispers something in the bride's ear and it cause her to sheik with laughter... that moment, that exact moment... it won't happen again, and I captured it for them to have with them always.  That.  That I love.

  

My husband

My husband.  I love him.  He and I met in college our first month of our first semester.  I accentially tackled him while we were playing 2 hand touch football at midnight.  

We became friends and got to be somewhat close friends over the next 2 years.

From there as the story goes it moved to more.

We went from dating to engaged like that (imagine a snap)

We were engaged for 6 months and now married for almost 3 years.

Crazy where the years go.  He is sweet and loving and kind. . . even to little kids : D 

Showing off his gaming skills to some nieces and nephew

Reading to some younger nephews