“Every journey begins with the first step.”
Beauty Keeper: the photo series...
Day 12: Chief Ouray Mine Trail
Ouray, CO
We took an extended trip to explore the San Juan National Forest, using or friends’ ranch outside of Durango as a base camp.
From Pagosa Springs up past the “Million Dollar Highway,” we got to experience so much of this beautiful area. My favorite part though, was this hike up the Chief Ouray Mine Trail. After an elevation gain of 2200’ we discovered the most breathtaking view of “Switzerland of America,” looking down upon the Colorado mountain town of Ouray. This hike was especially challenging, even drawing tears at one point. It’s usually these kinds of hikes that yield the most rewarding views, and the most vivid memories.
Another impressive aspect to this hike, is the abandoned mine. Not only the view that the workers enjoyed from up there, but how they even got all of that heavy equipment up there over 150 years ago.
Day 11: Palo Duro Canyon
Texas Panhandle
To anyone who has casually driven through the Texas panhandle, the Palo Duro Canyon seems like another world entirely.
We set aside some time to visit the Palo Duro Canyon State Park on our way to a longer trip to Colorado. Robert Earl Keen once recited the old west Texas saying “Lubbock is so flat, you can watch your dog run away for three days,” which only goes to substantiate the mental image most folk have of the panhandle. This makes the descent down into the 120-mile long, 20-mile wide, 800’ deep canyon through layered shades of Sedona red, burnt orange, purple grey, off white and peach beige almost unbelievable at first. I highly recommend the hiking and camping offered but even a drive down into and through the park is worth the trek, especially if you’re into Texas history.
Palo Duro might have started as a stop along the way for us, but the “Grand Canyon of Texas” now holds a special place in our hearts.
Day 10: Andrew Molera State Park
Big Sur, California
This hike was a beautiful mistake. We were originally just taking the 1-mile trail out to the beach, but decided to explore what we thought was a short offshoot.
Eight miles and 1100’ of elevation later we were exhausted, sunburned, and couldn’t stop laughing. We hadn’t prepared for a longer hike; no water, no sunscreen, no food.
If we were anywhere else, we probably would’ve turned around to come back when we were better provisioned. But with every step, the view just got more and more impressive. Dinner in Monterey that evening was a delirious mixture of laughter, exhilaration, and exhaustion.
Day 9: Wicklow Mountains
County Wicklow, Ireland
This was our last full day in Ireland. After spending the pevious few days afoot in Dublin, we decided to rent another car and get back out into nature. What we found were the Wicklow Mountains via Glendalough, about an hour south of Dublin. The views were stunning and I remember sitting down next to a babbling brook, taking a voice memo on my phone so I could take that sound with me. This image is of a set of timber steps leading up through a grove to a spectacular lookout. Moments from this trip have made their way into both “Beauty Keeper” and “Driving In Ireland.”
Day 8: Elowa Falls
Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge
When departing Portland in 2014. Michaela and I had originally planned to visit Multnomah Falls as we headed east. After discovering an overflowing parking lot, however, we decided to seek out a less crowded adventure. What we found was a calm hike out to Elowa Falls, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision.
Elowa falls makes a single 213’ drop into a secluded amphitheater, creating a cool and misty sanctuary that’s physically refreshing, and visually stunning.
Day 7: Point Lobos
Big Sur, California
This image is overlooking the Pacific at Point Lobos from our drive through Big Sur back in 2018. That stretch of Route 1 is quite possibly the most scenic in the country. Although we only got to spend one day in Big Sur, it’s been calling my name ever since. The confluence of jagged bluffs, secluded beaches, and redwood groves create an ethereal setting where every moment soaks a little deeper into your consciousness; where wanderlust is met with awe and souls become free to open a little wider.
While Michaela photographed the coastline, I mostly photographed her photographing the coastline.
Day 6: Hoodoos Trail
Big Bend Ranch State Park
This is the most recent image from this series, taken less than three weeks ago.
On previous trips to Big Bend we had spent very little time in the State Park except for driving the length of the park on FM 170, AKA “El Camino del Rio”, one of Texas’ best scenic routes.
This time however, we hiked the Hoodoos Trail, explored Closed Canyon, rafted through Dark Canyon, and visited the Fort Leaton State Historic Site. Big Bend Ranch State Park has some of the most breathtaking views in Texas, and getting to share these with our son made the experience one we will never forget.
We are so glad we decided to focus on the state park this time, and only left me wanting to plan another trip to get more familiar with this 800K acre natural gift.
Day 5: Mariposa Grove
Yosemite National Park
For our honeymoon trip back in 2014 we rented an RV and hit the road for two weeks, hitting many spots that we had seen separately, to enjoy them together.
Yosemite National Park was on our list, but to stay flexible we didn’t reserve a campsite ahead of time. When we made it to the park they didn’t have any availability within the Yosemite Valley until the following day, so we found a nearby spot for the night. This spot just happened to be near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
It’s hard to put the experience into words but hiking among trees that dwarf all others, some dating back before biblical times, is uniquely humbling.
I love this image and the memories it summons, but no photograph can do justice to sheer size of these relics – or the timeless wisdom that they have to offer.
The first verse of “Beauty Keeper” depicts a specific memory from within the Yosemite Valley, but I’m grateful for the detour that led us to the Mariposa Grove.