My 12 Favorite Images from 2015

What an amazing year 2015 was. I spent most of the year touring the various state parks of Washington, research for my book. Visiting new parks and old favorites opened my eyes to just how remarkable my already beloved Washington truly is. With every park, I became more inspired to research more, go further and share what I've experienced with my friends. Here are 12 of a few of my favorite images from the year, although it was hard to narrow it down. (They're not in any particular order.)

1. Day Lily in Rain - This lovely lily was found at Peace Arch State Park in Blaine. It had been a pretty dry summer here in Washington but when I reached the U.S. Canadian border I discovered where all of our rain went. It was a fun afternoon running around photographing rain splattered flowers in the gardens.

2. Joy - Weekends spent at the beach with my cousins is always a joy. Here three of them are gleefully jumping in the waves at Grayland State Park.

3. Umatilla Rock at Twilight - While exploring Dry Falls/Sun Lakes State Park, I admired this view of Umatilla Rock reflected in Vic Meyer Lake. Later, Zillah and I made our way back to the shores and waited for the vibrant blue of twilight.

4. Cama Beach Cabins - I spent a quiet weekend in a cabin along the beach at Cama Beach State Park. At twilight I ventured out for an image of lit cabin windows against the royal blue sky.

5. 3-on-3 - This summer Kent sponsored a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for all ages. One court was reserved for a small group paraplegic players who gave the game their all. Even more impressive was the one woman who played with and against the guys. She never backed down, never gave up and had the respect of her fellow players.

6. Sand Dollar in Sea Foam - Beaches have been an inspiration in my life since my youngest days. I search out the beach for serenity and to remind myself of my place in this world. Small vignettes of sea creatures and sea life are easy for me to bring home to give me peace in my normal life.

7. Kayaks on the Lewis River - Sometimes special places come from the most unexpected places. Paradise Point State Park is no exception. Located under I-5, one would wonder if there is anything photographic here. But hike the trail up river and you come to this overlook. It's a reminder to always keep your eyes and creativity open no matter what.

8. Meadowrue - Meadowrue is a delicate forest flower with male and female plants (left is female, right is male) growing close to each other in shaded areas. The female flower reminds me of fireworks and the male flowers remind me Chinese lanterns. The trouble with photographing the flowers is that they quiver at even the slightest thought of a breeze and since they grow in low light, they can be difficult to capture.

9. Contemplation - Hiking with my sister this summer on our training to climb Mt St Helens, we hiked out to Pratt Lake. It was one of those days that was just perfect - perfect light, perfect weather, perfect hiking partners. I was able to photograph my sister looking out over the calm lake, contemplating her coming climb (I didn't make it).

10. All Lines lead to Mt Rainier - There wasn't a lot of snow this past winter at mt Rainier, but there was enough for a snowshoe or two in the upper meadows. The winds had carved beautiful curving lines the led straight to our state's mountain. Who could resist the photo opportunity?

11. Sunset over the Palouse - With the dry hot summer we had, wildfires scorched hundreds of acres of tress and far too many homes and businesses. And the smoke was devastating to Eastern Washington with several days where the air quality was so bad as to be deadly for people with breathing problems. Even by October, the smoke still hadn't cleared but then sunsets like this only happen when the air quality is bad. Good tidings from bad.

12. In The Rays - Finally, after so many time driving by the Oregon Coast Aquarium I was able to visit this past Thanksgiving. What a remarkable place - go if you ever have the opportunity. While walking through the underwater passages, I captured this Ray swimming through the rays of the sun. Makes me smile every time I see it.

On to 2016. May your New Year be filled with adventure and beauty. H

Washington State Parks: Palouse Falls

Palouse Falls is so well-loved by Washingtonians that it is our official state waterfall. It is also well-loved by photographers. And it's not hard to see why.

There is drama in the landscape here. The walls of the canyon, carved from the land by the Missoula Floods expose rugged columnar basalt. The Palouse River winds through the canyon first dropping over the upper falls, a plummet of about 20 feet. It looks to be almost a set of rapids in comparison to the 198 foot drop of the park's main attraction, lower falls. It then meanders through curved canyons until it reaches its confluence with the Snake River.

Most people and almost all photographers come for the views of the lower falls as it plunges into a deep bowl. From the view points along the short rim trail, you can photograph the gentle rolling Palouse hill landscape in contrast with the rugged canyons. Even a snapshot gathers applause.

A wide angle lens is used for the sweeping vistas one can get from the view points. These images show the contrast between the surrounding hills and the deep canyons, hidden from view until you reach the rim.

But don't put your telephoto lens away. Details of the canyon such as the castle rocks that stand guard at the edge of lower falls can be isolated from the scene. And there's a lot of beauty in the details of Palouse Falls.

Late afternoon can bring a special show to the falls. Stand at the far north end of the rim trail, where the rim is blocked and you can see a rainbow near the base of the falls. You may not want to move as it shimmers in the spray of the falls.

As with most waterfalls, seasonal changes can be quite dramatic. Winter and spring rains can have the waterfall gushing over the edge and summer's droughts can reduce the falls to a trickle. The meadows of the park can also have varying changes for the seasons with flowers blooming in the spring and summer and dried grasses in the autumn.

There is a darker side to Palouse Falls State Park, a sad story of the misuse by the people who love it so. This past October, park staff erected a fence blocking entry to the north end of the park and with it blocking access to the upper falls and some of the more iconic views of the falls.

Why? Because visitors couldn't respect the park or the land.

Social trails criss-cross the north end of the park and once visitors got to the view of upper falls, they'd climb down the basalt walls to the canyon floor, sometimes getting stuck and needing rescue. Vandalism was also occurring regularly to park machinery in the area. Park staff decided the best way to protect the park and the visitors was to close off that section of the park.

The only authorized trail in the park is the rim trail. All other trails including the one to the base of lower falls are social trails. Please be careful if you decide to hike this trail as it is not maintained as it is not an authorized trail. Maybe with more funding and staffing it could be safer to hike, but if that trail is also misused staff may need to close off that section of the park too.

Palouse Falls State Park is a camping park but for tents only. All campsites are walk-in campsites. There are train tracks that go through a small canyon just west of the entrance and yes, trains travel through there during the night. So if you do camp out, take ear plugs.

Getting there: From highway 26 in Eastern Washington, head south on highway 260/261. Drive 6.5 miles and turn left staying on highway 261 (highway 260 continues straight). Continue on highway 261 for 8.5 miles to Palouse Falls Rd and follow the step road to the park.

The Bobcat

I had my choice of shaded spots to park my car so I chose a shadier one. But I feared as the morning lengthened, the shadows would shorten leaving my car and my after hike snack to bake in the sun. I nudged the car as close to the barrier as I dared. The day was already warm so I stripped off my legs of my pants and left the coat in the car adjusted my ball cap and left the parking lot.

A couple of days before while hiking the Point Tomales Trail, I chatted with a woman who had espoused the beauties of the trail out to Arch Rock. It was like walking through Middle Earth, she said. So green, so lush that she expected elves to walk out of the woods and greet her. Sounded marvelous and even though I had planned to hike the trail, I grew more excited to make the journey.

The trail at one point had been a road but had since been decommissioned. For most of the trip, the Beaver Valley trail is wide with a gradual incline to Divide Meadow and slowly descends down to the junction with the Arch Rock Trail.

It was at Divide Meadow where I saw it.

As I started my way down, I spied an odd shape next to the trail. It's shape similar to a sitting cat. Knowing Point Reyes has feral cats, I began a one-sided conversation with what I believed to be a cat.

It turned it's head towards me as I asked "Are yo a good kitty or are you a bad kitty?" Spying the tufts of hair on the tips of it's ears and a on its cheeks, I knew it was more than a mere cat. I was staring at a bobcat. My heart leapt.

I continued to talk to the beautiful feline as I slowly approached, crossing to the other side of the wide trail. Finally, it stood up and trotted into the tall grasses of the meadow showing me its short tail and large feet.

My head was spinning. A bobcat! I had seen a bobcat! And never took out my camera.

The rest of the trail was just as my previous acquaintance had described - lush greens that reminded me of home - to a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I easily sat on the overlook, my only company a bold sea gull who came to investigate me. I thought how lucky I was to have seen such a beautiful animal.

My way back seemed so uneventful. I got back to my car and thought I should report the sighting to the park. The ranger I spoke to was just as excited as I was about the incident.

Every now and then, something happens on the trail that makes me remember why I love being in the wilderness.

Must we go through this again?

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a leadership conference hosted by the Mountaineers in Seattle. I looked forward to the event of speakers and networking - on of the speakers is a idol of mine, John Graham, who wrote the book on Outdoor Leadership. Through his book I began to understand the type of leader I wanted to be. Other outdoor leaders and educators would also be presenting and I was expecting a day filled with sharing information and refining our goals and objectives within ourselves and our activities.

I wasn't wrong. Each of the speakers I was privilege to listen to spoke with passion about their vocation and a desire to share what they knew. However, not all of them came prepared.

One presentation entitled Training Trainers and Coaching Coaches looked to be right up my alley. Excitedly I sat down to hear what words of wisdom the two speakers had for us. Within the first 5 minutes I knew they were going to be wasting my time and if I hadn't sat down in the front of the room, I would have quickly escaped.

They were sea kayakers. Not that there is anything wrong with sea kayakers as I am a novice one myself. But they spent most of their presentation talking about the specifics of gaining skills within the sport.

Ummm, how does this related to training trainers or coaching coaches?

Not to say they weren't experts in their field and have had years training kayakers and trainers and coaches. In fact, they were quite knowledgeable. Within the framework of their field. Try to expand out of it and they were lost. I actually began to feel sorry for them and so did other members of the audience who spoke up to try to help make the connections.

There are a few things they could have done to better prepare themselves for the presentation or to know whether or not to do it. And these are the same things you can do when invited to speak.

1. Ask questions. When asked to give a presentation, ask a barrage of questions about the venue, the organization, the audience. What does the organization represent? How big of an audience will you be speaking to? Who are you speaking to? What is there experience with this topic? Why do you want me to speak? How much time will I have? A/V equipment, will you run it or me? Do I need to bring it or you? Get as many details as you can so you can frame your presentation better.

2. Start your planning and writing with a topic. Your topic is why the organization asked you to speak. You're the expert. Based on what you know about your audience, you should be able to frame the topic/subject to help the audience better understand your presentation. Make it relate-able to THEM! You are not up there for yourself, you are up there for them.

3. And practice. Practice. Practice. Grab a few experts in the topic and ask them to listen and give you feedback. Grab a few novices in the topic, ask them to listen and give you feedback. Ask a few folks who know nothing about the topic, ask them to listen and give you feed back. Each time you are practicing. But also don't ignore the feedback. If someone has advice to make the presentation better, use it. Work with it. Then practice some more.

These are simple ways to give an audience the presentation they deserve. I wish more speakers would go back to the basics. I'm hoping you will.

Wilderness Symphony

Have you ever listened to the concert in a woodland meadow. In the evening when a stillness covers the world, night time creatures begin to stir, making their presence known by voicing their songs.

An owl hoots and is answered by another in the distance. They are the base to my evening's theme.

Soon they are joined by the chorus of frogs heralding spring or crickets warmed by the summer's day. Singing through the night hoping that their song entices a mate to come closer. I want to come closer, sit in the middle of the chorus and let their song lift my heart towards the sky.

The cicada's vibrating rhythm adds the soothing percussion to help you drift to sleep. My thoughts begin to wander into a dream, stepping lightly through the meadow fireflies lighting my way.

Just as I touch my sleep, an elk begins the haunting flute-like call bringing his mates to him and warding off competitors. Another across the meadow responds to his warning. A third lets them know that he too is there. Waiting. Yearning. Challenging. Their voices float over the meadow. Undulating. Caressing. One drops as another lifts.

I succumb to the lullaby and sleep to dream.

There be Ghouls Here . . . and Zombies

It was a dark and stormy night . . . ok not so stormy, we had stars shining in the heavens and speaking of shining the moon was also nicely bright. What we did have was ghouls and goblins and zombies and clowns. Yes my friends, clowns - the scariest creatures around.

What was all this, you might ask?

It was the first ever Haunted Fort at Fort Casey State Park.

This past weekend I volunteered as a guide for the park's Haunted Fort which benefitted the lighthouse restoration.

The guides dressed up in costume and escorted groups through the zombie infested yard to Battery Turman where the real excitement began. This is not to say there weren't screams prior to showing up at the "evil carnival" The zombies and ghosts heard plenty of screams along our walk past axe-man, the sarge and the zombie picnic.

But at Battery Turman, staff and volunteers had created a beautiful mix of anticipatory scares and frightful surprises. And with each group running out of the rooms there was joyful laughter following screams and tears - laughter assuaging fears. I couldn't help but laugh myself, in unison with their joy of fright.

In the end, the Haunted Fort raised $10000.00 for restoration of the lighthouse.

I'm looking forward to next year's Haunted Fort.

Heidi's Hotspots: Mt Rainier National Park: Burroughs Mountain

It's a difficult task to find a photo location on Mt Rainier that isn't spectacular.

When I start to think of my favorite places or places to recommend to friends, my brain starts with the obvious - Paradise. Paradise is located on the south slope of Washington's iconic mountain and is bewitching throughout the year. One of the bonus points for Paradise is it's location. The light is almost always favorable any time of day, any time of the year.

It has to do with the mountain facing the sun so as you're creating your images, the sun is at your back. It's easy to spend a day, a weekend or more photographing the scenes and beauty around the paradise area.

On the other side of the mountain, is the Sunrise area which is beautiful in it's own right. And yes, as the name reflects sunrise and early mornings are the best times of day to photograph this side of the mountain. As mid-day approaches and into the afternoon, you end up photographing into the sun.

And yet, this hot-spot is on the north-ish side of Mt Rainier where the light isn't almost always wonderful. Nor is it accessible all year.

You come here in the morning during the summer and autumn (the road usually opens around July 4 and closes after the first significant snowfall), hike out past Frozen Lake and up to 1st then 2nd (and if you have enough UMPH left) then 3rd Burroughs and you will see views hearkening back to the ice age.

Views from 1st Burroughs reach northward from Berkeley Park just below you to Fremont lookout then the Cascade Range north to Mt Stuart, Glacier Peak and Mt Baker. Don't forget to look at your feet. This is alpine tundra up here. The alpine spring brings out the low-lying color of delicate flowers.

Continue up to 2nd Burroughs to look down into the glacial moraine of the Emmons Glacier. Bring a long lens to zoom in on the crevasses, deep and plentiful near the toe of the glacier. Also bring a coat for the ever present wind gets cold even on hot summer days.

Third Burroughs brings you all that much closer to the glacier for a vision of what the northern continent looked like during the ice age.

All in the shadow of the mountain. The closer you get, the harder it is to photograph the whole mountain even with a wide angle lens. Yet, dare I say, you'll be focusing in on the mountain's details to such an extent you won't really mind.

Oh, one last use for that long lens - goats. Rarely have I been to Burroughs Mountain without seeing goats. Dozens of them.The white specks in the image above are goats (guess who didn't bother with her long lens on that trip). And I've seen the odd bear in the area too - a cinnamon colored one.

How not to be a Ramblin Rose, Part 1

Ramblin' rose, ramblin' rose
Why you ramble, no one knows
Wild and wind-blown, that's how you've grown
Who can cling to a ramblin' rose?
 - Noel Sherman and Joe Sherman

I love Nat King Cole. His sweet and silky voice makes me weak in the knees and sends shivers along my spine. His is the voice that soothes the savage breast.

After sitting through a photographer's presentation a while back, I thought I could use a little Nat King Cole. I was frustrated, angry and felt betrayed.

Why?

Because the photographer rambled about himself and how wonderful he was for two stinking hours. That is two hour of my time that I will never get back. Nor will I ever get the money I paid for this frustrating honor back into my pocket.

Money and time lost. For nothing.

Have you ever had that experience? Eagerly heading into a presentation and then getting to the end, the presenter is answering questions and you're wondering what was even the point? There wasn't a single statement throughout the whole presentations that you could cling to and you begin to wonder why you wasted your time.

You didn't waste your time. The presenter wasted your time. And shame on them.

A rambling presentation isn't just damaging to audience members, but it's damaging to the presenter also.

When you are speaking to a group of other photographers, you are representing your photography brand. Which is you. You are your brand. You are the photographer. You are the one with your vision. And the folks who have come to listen to you want to know about you and your vision.

Who are you? What is your inspiration? How did you get to where you are?

Do you want to inspire? Or confuse? Please, tell me your answer is to inspire.

What inspiration do you want them to take with them as they leave? Answer this question and you are well on your way to being a solid speaker and not a rambling rose.

Remember back in school when you had to write an essay and the essay revolved around a certain thesis statement? Well, the answer to the inspiration question above will be your thesis for your speech. Yes, speeches have a "thesis statement." If you make every point in your speech connect to your thesis PLUS make every image you show and example of the point that links to your thesis you can become a successful speaker.

You can make people excited to listen to what you have to say. Dare I say maybe become a Nat King Cole and soothe your audience.

Washington State Parks: Potholes

This may be just the park the started it all. Not my initial thoughts on photographing Washington State Parks, but to write a book about them and for them.

I had been reading another photography guide book that I had been recommending to others and even lead a group out on one of the authors "trips." The book is well written, filled with insightful hints and tips. My intent here is not to discredit the author or his book. I have great respect for the author who is a talented photographer and writer who has written more than one photography guide that I use - which is why I am not sharing the title here.

However, while researching some parks on the east side of the Cascades, I ran across a passage for Potholes State Park that got me thinking. The passage said that Potholes State Park, like most Washington State Parks was no more than a campground in a mowed lawn. The author did go on to say that there were some nice marsh areas along the shore of the reservoir lake that are perfect for birds and bird photographers. But it was the - like most Washington State Parks, mowed lawn and campground - that got me wondering. Is this really the perception of our State Parks?

If that is the perception, then I want to change that perception. I wanted to show others that Washington's state parks can be photographic destinations.

And then the birth of a book.

I will admit that it you go to many of the parks that have campgrounds, the campsites are mostly on mowed lawns. Does make for room for kids to run and play near their parents. And the primary camping are for Potholes is just that. The cabins and tent sites are tucked away in the trees closer to the lake and creek. Here cottonwoods line the campsites, willows separate you from the marshes, marshes lead into the lake. Each of these provide food and shelter for birds and subject matter for bird photographers. There is also plenty of textures to photograph in these areas.

Near the day-use area and boat ramp are views of the lake and low-lying hills of the surrounding agricultural land. The park sits on the west end of the lake and faces the sunrise in the morning. They are tranquil mornings on the lake before the campers are awake. The birders begin to stir and swim across the pastel colored lake waters or fly through the multi-colored sky.

Beyond the campground, away from the lake is a landscape filled with sage and rabbit brush. Follow the short trail along the creek through the brush and grasses. More birds can be found here, but don't forget to look to your feet. In the spring lupine, phlox, lomatium and other wildflowers grow in the shade of the shrubs. I've even watched a beaver swimming in the grasses along the creek bed.

There is a lot here to explore and photograph.

Getting here:
From I-90 east bound - Take exit 164 for C NW Rd/Dodson Rd. Head south to Frenchman Hills Rd W, 10 miles and turn left. Follow Frenchman Hills Rd W to WA-262, 5 miles and turn left. Continue on WA-262 for 5 1/2 miles to Potholes State Park.
From I-90 west bound - Take exit 179 for WA 17 S and head south to Rd M SE for 2 miles. Turn right on Rd M SE and continue to WA-262, 7 miles. Follow WA-262 to Potholes State Park in another 7 miles.

Washington State Parks: Conconully

On the outskirts of the little town of Conconully which lies on the edge of the Okanagan National Forest, sits the small park of Conconully State Park. On the east side of the park site the town of (at last count) 210 residents and on the west side, Conconully Lake, a reservoir lake created by the Conconully dam.

I fist came here late one 4th of July. I didn't have a reservation for the campground and the town was buzzing with revelers. For a small town, they sure do know how to throw a party with live music well into the night and an old western-style gun battle scheduled for the next day. I found a parking spot just outside of the park along one of the roads, in between a truck and a couple of motorcycles, the riders of which were in town having some fun.

Zillah and I snuggled into the front seat of the car for a restless night's sleep - at some point in my life, sleeping in the car has ceased to be fun - but we made the best of the situation. At some point in the night, a storm passed through and fat raindrops splattered against the open window and into the car. I rolled the window up a bit. Cars drove by, drunks stumbled home and the night turned into morning.

It was morning that gave me my first sight of Conconully State Park, nestled in the hills looking out over the lake. Zillah and I startled some ducks as we meandered along the shore. An osprey dove into the water fishing for breakfast and the sunlight lit the surrounding hills, still trying to hold onto the last of the green of spring.

But that was last year. This year is a different story - the town residents and visitors have been ordered to evacuate the town as a fire bears down on the lake, the park and the historic buildings.

Fire has no direction - it goes as the winds push it and the fuel pulls it. And now a cute little town with 100+ years of history, festivals and western gun fights is in the path that fuel and wind have built for the fire. The little park on the shores of Conconully Lake with the ducks, osprey and old cottonwoods could be surrounded not by rolling green hills but hills blackened by flame and smoke and soot.

My thoughts and prayers are with those who had to flee for safety and the fire fighters trying to save the town. And prayers for big fat raindrops splashing down.

Washington State Parks: Willie Keil's Grave

On a small hill in a cow pasture nestled in the Willapa Hills of SW Washington stands a testament of the strength of a father's promise to his son. Willie Keil's Grave is no more than a pullout along highway 6 but it's story if far grander.

Willie's father was the leader of a religious sect called the Bethelites based in Bethel, MO. The group of Bethelites decided to look for their "promised land" in the fertile hills of the Oregon Territory. The year was 1855 and the way to the northwest from Missouri was a long arduous trek over the great plains by wagon. Willie was 19 and enthusiastic about the adventure. He learned to drive the oxen team that would pull his family's wagon across the plains. He became so proficient that the Bethelites awarded him the honor of driving the lead team.

However, prior to the departure, Willies became ill with Malaria. His father promised that he would not leave Willie behind - no matter what. Four days before the departure, Willie died. Remembering his promise to his son, he built a sturdy coffin lined with lead and filled it with whiskey to preserve Willie's body, put the coffin in the lead wagon and proceeded to lead his followers to the fertile lands of the northwest.

Six months later Willie was finally laid to rest in his coffin filled with whiskey in the rolling green hills of the Willapa valley.

Sadly, the Bethelites moved south of the Columbia River a few years later, but they left Willie in the lands he had dreamed of.

Now, you might not think there is much to photograph at a highway roadside along a cow pasture, but it is these situations where you can really exercise your creativity. While on road trips, have you ever grabbed your camera while running to the bathroom at the rest area? If so then you know what I'm talking about. If not, why not?

Practicing your photographic craft isn't all about the grand landscape with stunning lighting and awe-inspiring sunlight reflected in the clouds. Practicing photography is finding the elements of a landscape that help portray your emotions and experience at that time. It's in places like waysides when you want to stretch your legs that are perfect for stretching your creative muscles.

Camera memory is cheap so why not play and practice to understand what you're aiming for and how to get there. Maybe at some point, you will be asked to lead the way as Willie was. Just stay healthy so when you reach your goal you can appreciate it.

To get there: Willie Keil's Grave State park is located on Highway 6 just 4 miles east of Raymond or 51 miles west of Chehalis.

Washington State Parks: Jarrell Cove

To borrow a phrase from my sister when she described Jarrell Cove, this is a little gem of a park.

With two large docks, 14 off-shore moorage bouys and several boat-in camping areas, Jarrell Cove is used primarily for boaters out fishing in the waters off Key Peninsula or out for a relaxing paddle around the islands. But there is so much more to this park.

A trail allows visitors to stroll through the forest, towering douglas-fir reaching towards the sky with salal and sword fern greening the forest floor. Wildflowers and mushrooms peak out from under moss covered logs that appear to glow in the light. It's a forest that seems so wild but always just a few yards from the campground and road.

But there is more. Walk to the "L" dock for views further into the cove. Come here in the morning to catch the morning glow over the trees or the evening to catch the last rays of light on those same trees - it will feel different in the different light. On the "T" dock look across to the boats moored on the other side of the cove or look out into Pickering Passage.

Come to Jarrell Cove for a quiet respite, your camera will not be disappointed.

To get here: From Shelton drive north on Highway 3 for 6 miles or south on Highway 3 from Bremerton for 23 1/2 miles. Turn east on E Pickering Rd for 3 miles across the Harstine Island Bridge then turn left on North Island Dr. Follow North Island Drive for 3 1/2 miles and turn left on E Wingert Rd to the park.

Washington State Parks: Wanapum

The mighty Columbia River starts with not so humble beginnings in the Columbia Icefields of the Canadian Rockies and flows 1,243 miles to the Pacific Ocean. When Lewis & Clark first explored the west and David Douglas investigated the native flora and fauna, the Columbia ran free and wild. But in recent history this grand river was tamed and tethered, passing through 14 dams providing flood control, irrigation and electricity to the populations of the northwest.

Among these is Wanapum Dam which forms LakeWanapum near Vantage. The dam lies south of Vantage and between the town and the dam on the shores of Lake Wanapum lies Wanapum State Park.

Sitting on a small hill above the lake, Wanapum has a nice view of the dam to the south – far enough away the ever illuminated lights aren’t a nuisance to campers. Wait for the vibrant blue of twilight and the lights from the dam against twilight and the canyon walls can make a compelling image. Walk through the sage hillside in the spring to photograph wildflowers in the scrubby brush. Beautiful floral colors against the grey green sage creates a beautiful contrast.

When the waters in Lake Wanapum are low, walk the sandy beach between the day use area and the boat ramp. The beach here is littered with thousands of tiny clam shells, some no larger than a dime. Try photographing them backlit by the sun to show off their glowing transluscence.

For a small park built primarily for camping to accommodate the visitors to Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park to the north and boaters visiting Lake Wanapum, Wanapum State Park has a lot of potential for beauty.

To get there:  From I-90 either east or west take exit 136 from Vantage/Huntzinger Rd. Turn south and drive for 3 miles to the park.

Washington State Parks: Ginkgo Petrified Forest

Once upon a time there was a vast forest covering what is now the dry landscape of eastern Washington. Douglas-fir, oak, hemlock, walnut and ginkgo forested the land stretching for miles in a blanket of greens. Then volcanic eruptions blanketed the land east of the cascades in lava and ash killing the forest and covering lakes. Soon any logs that had fallen into the lakes were preserved in a chemical process where nutrients in the logs were replaced with silica turning them to stone.

Fossilized trees.

Kind of cool really. But what’s really cool about the petrified trees of Ginkgo is that this is one of the few places on earth where fossilized remains of ginkgo trees exist. Ginkgo trees no longer grow naturally in the wild, they are a cultivated tree but at one time they could be found in forests growing freely. And this is why Ginkgo State Park is named after the tree – it holds the proof that these trees were once wild.

The park is essentially separated in two distinct areas although much of the land surrounding Ginkgo is under Washington State Park protection, it is undeveloped. The developed areas contain 3 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, boat launch and Interpretive Center. 

The first area of the park is where you will see the petrified trees. Looping trails meander through the hills giving you views of the sage country and glimpses of the petrified trees. The trees are partially submerged in the earth locked behind iron fencing. But it you place your lens on the fencing and zoom in past the fence, you can easily capture details of the trunks. Also bring along a medium sized diffuser to help block the sun from casting harsh shadows across your subject. But the trees aren't the only things to photograph here. Song birds fly and sing amongst the sage brush and in the spring flowers spread across the land shaded by the shrubs. And the views are simple yet soothing.

In the town of Vantage is the second area to explore. High on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River stands the interpretive center telling the story of the natural and cultural histories of the area. Here you can find more petrified logs and petroglyphs rescued from the flooding River when Wanapum Dam was built about 5 miles south of the park. From this vantage point, you have views up and down the Columbia River and the basalt cliffs that contain the river.

A trip to both areas is well worth your time.

To get there: From I-90 heading either east or west, take exit 136 (Vantage/Huntzinger Rd) and turn north to Vantage.  For the Interpretive Center, drive through Vantage on Main St and turn right on Ginkgo Ave. Drive to the end to the parking lot. For the Petrified Forest trails, continue on Main St as it curves to the left and becomes Vantage Highway. The parking area for the trails is approximately 2 miles on the right. 

Washington State Parks: Field's Spring

Sometimes it pays to talk to the park rangers, volunteers and other employees of the state parks.
On my recent trip to Field's Spring, a park I had never visited before but will be visiting again, I was meandering around the parking lot and the trails between one of the lodges and the campground. The park is know for being a wildflower heaven during the months of May and June, so I was looking at all of the forest wildflowers popping up and was completely thrilled to be able to photograph both the male and female flowers of the meadowrue.

Before I had decided to stay close to camp (I was rather tired after the drive from Seattle to south of Clarkston), I had the opportunity to chat with Mike & Kathy the campground hosts. A very kind couple who enthusiastically showed me the wildflowers pictures they had taken on their hike up Puffer Butte, the high point of the park with views into Oregon and Idaho.  They found lupine, lomatium, calypso orchids, phlox, paintbrush and several other flowers on the trail and in the meadow at the top. Feeling the exhaustion set in, I decided to stick around camp and head up the hill for sunrise and morning golden hour photography.

So there I was, meandering around the campground and lodges when a beat up red sedan pulled up next to me with an older gentleman driving, his passenger was a big German Shepard standing in the passenger seat nose to the windshield and tongue hanging out. "You looking for birds?" he asked leaning his head out the window. One look at the car and the monster of a dog next to him, I knew he was someone with something to say. "No, not really. I'm looking for wildflowers - they're easier to spot."

"Oh. You want wildflowers. Well, have you been out the corral trail yet?"

"No. Where is that."

"You'll want to follow the dirt road here past the lodge to the gate. Go through the gate onto the trail. Take the Morning Song Trail and at the end of that trail there's a smaller trail that follows the ridge. You can go out there. You can go anywhere - it all belongs to the park, so it's ok. But that's where you'll find all the wildflowers you want. I know - I used to work here."

"Oh, thank you. This road here?"

"Yep. you can drive out to the gate too - there's a parking lot there."

"Thanks."

I watched as he drove off with his dog balancing in the front seat. I looked at the road he pointed out and decided that I needed to explore every corner since that is why I was there. His advice did not disappoint.

Just off the Corral Trail was the Morning Song Trail. A short walk brought me to sweeping views of the Blue Mountains and at my feet - flowers. Lupine, Balsamroot, Scarlett Gilia, Indian Paintbrush in so many colors I lost count and flowers I had never before seen.

I followed Morning Song to it's end but it hooked back into the Corral Trail. There was no trail along the ridge. I thought to retrace my steps, but instead continued along the Corral Trail to its end. I did find the trail along the ridge but will tell you about it in the book in a feature named Insider's Tips. These will be hints and tips from the people who know the park from the inside out.

Oh, and at the end of the Corral Trail is an old broken down corral and more views including a view of Puffer Butte.

To Get There: It's a short 29 miles from Clarkston, WA. Follow Highway 129 south to Asotin. In Asotin, Highway 129 turns right to head up into the plateau. Turn right to continue on Highway 129. The park is on your left 22 miles from Asotin.

Washington State Parks: Camano Island State Park

Camino Island State Park is a case study of a community coming together with a common goal and building a long lasting legacy. Organized by the South Camano Grange on July 27, 1949, 500 volunteers from Camano Island and nearby Stanwood built the park. In one day, they cleared the land, built roads and trails, picnic tables and a parking area. The South Camano Grange won 3rd prize in a national contest for the event and the park.

Over the years Camano Island State Park has grown but the devotion of a small group of residents who believed that they could build a park and create access to the beach for everyone can still be felt in every trail, campsite and table.

The parks sits on a wooded high bluff overlooking Saratoga Passage and includes the rocky beach below. Trails meander throughout the park weaving through the thick forest of Douglas Fir and Sword Fern. The Al Emerson Nature Trail built in remembrance for the first park ranger takes a hiker on a journey through the life cycle of the forest. A photographer can find small intimate vignettes of nature and life in the trees.

From viewpoints along the bluff, you have sweeping views of Saratoga Passage and the mountains of the Olympics and southeast towards Mt Rainier. head down towards the beach and you'll find on the east side of the parking lot a marsh filled with cattails and birds. The beach is rocky and popular with shellfish harvesters. Which can be a boon to photographers looking for details on the beach. Textures abound as do small vignettes of sea life. While on the beach, throw your polarizer on your lens and play with the reflections on the ripples and the rocks below. Don't leave before sunset, for here is a grand place for the colors of the evening.

To Get There:

From I-5 North or South, take exit 212 for State Route 532 to Stanwood and Camano Island. Follow SR 532 west for approximately 10 miles and continue onto E Camano Island Dr. In about 6 miles turn right onto E Monticello Dr. Turn right on SW Camano Dr and then right on Lowell Point Rd.

Washington State Parks: Keystone Spit

You almost don't realize that this State Park is there and if you do, you probably think that it's just an extension of Fort Casey just to the north. To be fair, Keystone Spit is managed by the staff at Fort Casey but it is designated as it's own and why it's separated here.

There's good reason why the two are managed together though, while buildings were being constructed at Fort Casey housing was built on nearby Keystone Spit for the workers.

The spit is a narrow piece of land separating Admiralty Strait from the marshy Crockett Lake. Highway 20 runs along the crest, but this is a peaceful area. Even as the ferry comes and goes at the north end of the spit you can find wilderness here. Having the privilege of close vicinity to Coupeville and Ebey's Landing National Historical Preserve, it's easy to get lost in the quiet ebb and flow of the tides, seasons and farming life.

The beach is rocky and often lined with fishermen during the season. You can photograph little vignettes of beach life along the shore - colorful rocks and interesting pieces of driftwood. Or fishermen in the early morning light.

If it's wildlife you seek, carefully cross the 2 lane highway (very few cars travel this stretch but read the warning below) to Crockett Lake. Here is a birder's paradise. A photographer can photograph shore birds, raptors, waterfowl, song birds and all manners of feathered friends. Bring your long lens and sit for an hour or a day, you will not be disappointed.

If you're in the area visiting Fort Casey or nearby Coupeville, stop by to watch the ferries come and go, watch the fishermen, watch the birds or just relax and watch the day go by. Keystone Spit is a quiet respite from the more hectic Fort Casey and well worth a visit.

Safety Note. Please be careful when crossing the road from the beach area to view the birds at Crockett Lake. There are no crosswalks or protective barriers at this time for pedestrians. Crossing the road or walking on the shoulder can be very dangerous.

To get there.

On Whidbey Island from the north: Follow Highway 20 south to Coupeville and turn right on S Main Street. S Main Street turns into S Engle Road. Continue on S Engle Road past the entrance to Fort Casey State Park and the Keystone ferry terminal. Parking for the park is on your right just past the terminal and at the south end of the park.

On Whidbey Island from the South: Follow Highway 525 to the junction with Highway 20 (W Wanamaker Rd). Turn left and follow Highway 20 towards Fort Casey and the Keystone ferry terminal. Parking for the park will be on the left as the road turns north and closer to the ferry terminal.

A Little Humanity in the Wild

When we think of landscape and nature photography, we tend to think of those pristine wilderness views, untrammeled and void of people. Because people just ain't natural. Right?

I would beg to differ. People in nature are perfectly natural and should be included for several reasons.

First, including people in your landscape images helps to tell the story. Let's face it. You bring a camera along on your excursions so you can later share the experiences with friends and family. Probably the same people you're out having fun with. You can gather around over wine or beer and laugh, discuss and enjoy the excursion all over again. Having your friends and family in the images rounds out the goofy and the serious experiences.

A person or people in a scene, gives the viewer a sense of scale. You're high on a hillside and want to take an image of the view with the valley below. But it just doesn't seem as grand, does it? get a friend in the photo and if you don't have a friend, put your camera on something steady (a tripod if you have one) and pose yourself. Immediately we see the scale of the view. We all know the average size of a human. Add them to the scene and all of a sudden we know how big that hill you're on really is.

You can add context to your image by including people. Along these same lines is that people in nature photos help to add a little context to the scene. In the image above, the viewer can deduce that there was a hike to the top of the hill in the winter - it must have been a strenuous hike (look how far down the river is) and the hiker decided try her hand with some yoga poses to stretch out her muscles.

Looking for a point of interest or focus to your image, people help to do that. People in your images can add a balancing point to an expanse either by being the subject of the image with an amazing or repetitious background or by helping point the viewer to the subject. The above image would have been ok with the view of the river, but adding the hiker, she now becomes the subject against a hazy background.

In the end, adding people to your nature scenes helps make that scene relatable to the viewer. We all love to look at beautiful images of fantastical places, but add people there and we can all of a sudden see ourselves in those places too - without ever being there or even really needing to be there.

So next time you head out with your camera for some fun with your friends and family, make sure you snag a couple of images with them to help tell the story, add perspective and contest, and really just because they are great people and deserve to be your subject.

A Foray Into Astral Photography

It's been something I've planned to do so many times, stay up to photograph the stars in the night sky - hopefully in a picturesque setting. The only problem has been that all too often my bed is too warm and cozy as opposed to the cold night air.

Not only that, you see, my bed is a very jealous bed and once it has be wrapped in its warm and cozy embrace it is unwilling to release me to the chill of night - even if it's for a little astral photography.

But on a recent trip to Cama Beach, I was determined to try my hand at some night time photography. The setting would be perfect - cabins lined along the beach each with a warm glow emanating from the windows. 

On top of all that, night was somewhat early right before the time change so I could stay up, dress warmly and not have to argue with the warm comforts of my bed.

The front cabin here is mine. I debated as I set up the composition if I wanted to shut the door tightly. In the end, I rather liked the door cracked open - invitingly. Plus it helped break up the dark corner of the cabin.

For setting up the image, I knew from watching a few on-line classes and reading articles, that I didn't want the exposure to be too long (longer that 20 seconds and the stars could elongate too much).So I used 800 ISO (after several images of experimenting with higher ISO and seeing the windows get blown out by highlights) and an aperture of f8 to keep my shutter speed at 20 seconds. 

Focus stayed on my cabin there in the front and I was far enough away that with the hyperfocal distance of the lens, the stars stayed in distant focus. And really, keeping the shutter speed short is supposed to help keep those little buggers from getting too fuzzy.

All in all, it was a fun excursion into a new skill, one I hope I can convince my bed to allow me to keep working on. Hopefully, I'll be able to create the oh so pretty images like I see on-line so often.

And I'm always willing for a little company while out there if you're able to convince your own bed to let you join me.

Heidi's Hotspots: Olympic Peninsula: The Hoh Rainforest

Admittedly, the Hoh Rainforest is one of my favorite places on earth.

That's a BIG statement!

I have been to all manner of sights and locales and yet I can right now, right here tell you that my favorite place on earth is a big wet temperate rainforest just miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Yes. For me, the Arizona deserts, Utah Canyons, Canada's mountains all hold special places in my heart and dreams but my go-to happy place is the quiet yet frenzied world that is the Hoh.

Here you can be lost and found in the same breath. Exalt in the openness of nature and feel an overt claustrophobia. You can listen to the flute-like voices of elk with a percussion of dripping from moss and here is where you'll find the quietest inch. You can spend a lifetime visiting yet find something new tucked away among the most familiar. When you are lonely, the moss laden trees become fast friends.

Come here on an overcast day. Even with the thick overstory, sunlight streaming through the leaves can create harsh light and shadows on the scenery. An overcast day gives you soft light, no harsh shadows with blown out highlights. But finding a cloudy day shouldn't be too hard. With rainfall as much as 12 feet a year, there are plenty of grey days. So also bring something to protect yourself and your camera from the wet elements. Even when it's not raining, water drips off the curtains of moss.

If photographing in a forest is a little intimidating, try focusing on small forest vignettes. The Hoh is filled with so much life that the idea of simplifying your image at first mind boggling. There are huge trees everywhere you turn. How do  you create simplicity when there is so much in your viewfinder?

Well, start small with mushrooms and moss.

Look to your feet for tiny things growing and living there.

Find the patterns in the understory.

Point your camera straight up into the top story.

Use a wide angle to get as much in as possible but then use a telephoto to compress the elements together.

Set up your tripod for multiple exposures then blend them later.

Hand hold your camera with a slow shutter speed for a more impressionistic image.

I other words, play. I give you permission to just play with your camera while in the Hoh. Maybe you'll see why this place has become my favorite place.

To get there: From Forks, drive south on Highway 101 to the Hoh River Road. Follow the road to the end. There is a National Park Entrance Fee to access the Hoh Rain Forest.

For more information on visiting the Hoh and Olympic National Park, please visit their website.

Photo Presentations that Work

Last week I shared a story about attending the last straw in a long line of ineffective photo presentations where the speaker wasn't prepared, was disorganized and really all he wanted to do in the end was sell his workshops.

I wrote a bit of a tongue-in-cheek blog post on how to lose the attention of your audience in 5 easy steps. I am here this week to help you understand how to keep your audience in rapt attention and win the admiration of your peers through your presentations.

We'll go through the steps as we did in the previous post.

#1. Your presentation isn't about you at all - it's about your audience. let them know you care about them and their goals by showing up with a prepared, organized and rehearsed presentation. This tells your audience that you care enough about them to take the time to create a great presentation.

#2. You get to name your presentation so give something snappy and information - this is what tells your audience what to expect and attracts them to come listen to you. It helps to write you title AFTER you write the presentation.

#3. You have techniques that work for you so let your audience know what works for you and why. Give them a little background to your workflow from conception to end and why you added or subtracted elements in your process or image.

#4. Do you have workshops? Well it's ok to mention them, but it you are able to give a well rehearsed and organized presentation, show the audience that you care about them and desire to help them become the photographer they want to become then guess what? Your prospective clients will come to you without much prompting.

#5. During the question and answer period, answer the question asked. Do you want to demonstrate a concept with an image? Then use an image already in your presentation. The cool thing about using an image in the presentation is that when you rehearsed your speech, you'll know exactly where the image is and can go directly to it.

Like this? I plan on expanding on each of these topics in coming weeks, there's so much to talk about. But if you want to present a talk that is well-received then this is the way to go.

And again, just though you might like to see another pretty picture. Enjoy!

A Northwest Winter

It's been a pretty sucky winter here in the Northwest. I am sure there are folks out there who are loving the warm and sunny days, but let's face it. Warm and sunny days do not bring snow to our mountains. Many of our ski slopes are bare - embarrassingly bare. The type of bare that makes your eye's pop wide as the guy in the next campsite swings his trailer door wide open to let his dog run free as well as his parts.

What I'm getting at here is that while it's ok to live your life in the nude - it's the unexpected exposure that can be a bit, well, uncomfortable. And that's how it feel in the Northwest right now. Our mountains are unintentionally bare.

We should have piles of snow covering our plants and hordes of happy snow-frolickers playing to their hearts' content in our winter wonderland. I'm pretty sure while we're looking to the Northeast with envy, they are looking at us with the same longing.

And I think somewhere my mind thought "head east not-so-young photographer lady" to get the snowy photos you want. So east I went, to Mt Spokane.

There I was met with . . . the same bare slopes as I found in the Cascades. Oh well. Time to make the best of a not so amazing situation.

There are approximately 100 miles of trails on Mt Spokane and I hiked a very small fraction - a nice little loop trail through a forest with several stands of larch (look for the beautiful spots of yellow in the fall) and a climb to the summit. Most of the year you can drive to the summit and the lodge that's there, but in the winter it's a hike to the top. A short hike of 4 miles round trip with a little less than 1400' of elevation gain. It's pretty steep though as you head straight up the hill in the snow. And in the winter, watch out for skiers.

Sadly I didn't see many skiers out and about as the slopes barely held any snow. And no snow encrusted trees as I was hoping for. The views were amazing. I was still able to find some small winter vignettes, but as important I began making plans for return trips.

Yep, trips. There are, as I mentioned, 100 miles worth of trail to explore.

This is a park where you can easily spend a weekend or more exploring the trails and views.

To get here: From I-90 take exit 287 for Argonne Rd. Head north on Argonne Rd for 6 miles, Argonne then turns into Bruce Rd continue on Bruce Rd for another 2 1/2 miles to a traffic circle. Take the first exit off the traffic circle (WA-206) and follow the road to Mt Spokane State Park.

5 easy steps to losing your audience

I recently attended a lecture entitled something like The Art and Business of Landscape Photography presented by a photographer whose work I admire. I was hoping he might have some insight on how he has been able to create a business from his photography.

Oh and did I mention there was an entrance fee?

I sat down and excitedly waited for him to come discuss his business. At the appropriate time, he approached the front of the room and announced that he really didn't have anything prepared so he was just going to show us some images and talk about them.

Whah?!?!

That wasn't what I paid for. I thought I was paying for a lecture, not a slide show

But the truly sad thing is, his wasn't the first photo lecture I'd been to where this happened. And as I chatted with friends who also attended the presentation, I discovered that they expected this.

EXPECTED a slide show with no other information except that the photographer can create pretty pictures. I already knew that and so did they.

Even with the title the presentation, they EXPECTED to sit through a slide show of pretty pictures and be told not much at all. If I wanted to watch a slide show, I'd just call up my father for one. At least he would have let me sit through his vacation pictures for free. But alas, my dad is dead and I'm paying for the privilege of sitting through this, for lack of a better word, crap.

So with my communications background, I decided to help photographers understand how to give a presentation that works by pointing out the 5 best ways to lose your audience during a photo presentation.

#1. By all means let your audience know from the start that you care not one bit about them by telling them you have nothing prepared. Let them know that you want to waste their valuable time with your rambling and unorganized slide show.

#2. Title-Schmitle. There is no need to pay any attention to what you have entitled your presentation because you know that all the audience wants is to sit in rapt silence and admiration as you show them pretty pictures that you made.

#3. Because you are such a marvelous photographer and have a room filled with eager slide show viewers, make sure you tell them that you discovered this really cool technique like the Rule of Thirds or photographing during the Golden Hour. That will impress the heck out of them.

#4. As you ramble along make sure to tell your audience that if they want more information then they need to register for one of your workshops so you can teach them everything that you promised you'd teach them in the presentation.

#5. During the question and answer period, go off into unrelated tangents to the questions. Also focus on your computer looking for that one really cool image that exemplifies not the answer to the question, but your ramblings (generally an image you forgot to include in the slide show and you have no idea where you stored it).

We've all been there and did you really feel like you got your money's worth? Or that the speaker wanted to impart some knowledge?

Let's hold ourselves to a higher standard than what has gone before. Let's start giving presentations that are prepared, succinct, organized, and on point.

Oh and come back next week as I explain just how to counter these 5 steps to have an amazing presentation that will keep your peers coming back for more.

(The above image is from Point Reyes National Seashore - I just thought you might like e pretty picture to look at.)

Washington State Parks: South Whidbey

Tucked away in the Southwest corner of Whidbey Island is the little park called South Whidbey. It might seem like a quiet little park, off the beaten path and away from the hustle and bustle of Whidbey Island but it can be a happening place.



On summer weekends, the campground can be full to brimming. Don't let that deter you for the forest of South Whidbey beckons.


The park rests on a bluff overlooking Admiralty Inlet but the treasure of South Whidbey does not rest in the narrow shoreline at the end of a steep trail - the treasure rests in the forest across the road from the campground. And it's a fabulous forest, filled with ferns, ancient trees and a host of woodland critters. You might even think you're Snow White as you walk the trails chatting with the birds and squirrels.


Although the beach is quite lovely with views across to the Olympic Peninsula and up to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. All sorts of little flotsam and jetsam wash up along the shores here and one can spend hours photographing the minutia of beach shells and seaweed. In the fall, fishermen line the shores for a bit of surf fishing.


Yes, spend some time on the beach, but you must head to the forest across the way and hike through an ancient forest saved from the woodsman's axe by a husband and wife team who sought to protect this gem. Here you will find ancient trees, wooded glades, forest marshlands and the bountiful sword fern that keeps the forest understory green throughout the seasons. The forest is a wonderland of quiet reflection and awe inspiring trees.


Photo Tip: If you are finding yourself overwhelmed in the forest, try focusing in on the small forest vignettes. A stump filled with mosses and ferns can convey the majesty and beauty of an old forest just as much as trying to get those big trees top to bottom in the frame. Look for small details and small critters and soon you'll be able to see the forest and the trees.


To get here: Get onto Whidbey Island either by the ferry from Mukilteo (south end of the island) or drive from the north end of the island on Highway 20. From the south, drive north out of Clinton on highway 525 for 10 miles. Turn left on East Bush Point Road. Follow E Bush Point Rd for 2 miles, the main road curves to the right and turns into Smuggler's Cove Road. Follow Smuggler's Cove Rd to the park on your left another 2.5 miles. From the north, drive south on highway 20 through Oak Harbor. From Oak Harbor travel another 20 miles to Smuggler's Cove Road and turn right. Follow Smuggler's Cove Rd for 4.5 miles and the park will be on your right.

Going Solo

I often find inspiration on social media sites when my friends ask questions that really get me thinking. Near Christmas, a question was asked about holiday memories and I wrote a post about some of my favorite holiday memories.

Recently a female hiking friend of mine asked when any of her female outdoorsy friends decided to do their first solo backpack and why.

Good question.

I can tell you that for the longest time, heading into the backcountry by myself was a frightening proposition. A habit of reading true stories of people getting lost and dying while in the backcountry alone made the idea unfathomable to me. Why would anyone do that? You could get eaten by a mountain lion, mauled by a bear, fall of a cliff, freeze to death, get lost and starve, drown, break a leg . . . the list was endless of all the horrible and nasty ways you could meet you maker in the wilderness.

But then, well, isn't that the same list I had for everything that could happen to you in the wilderness anyway? What was the big deal? If I have an accident, it really didn't matter if I was going solo or I was with hiking buddies. And anyone who really knows me, knows that I'm pretty much an accident waiting to happen.

But you can't always live in fear, can you? In the years prior to my first solo backpack I had tried my hand at alpine scrambling, cross country skiing, kayaking, long distance backpacking and winter camping. All things I had been afraid of before but succeeded in accomplishing my goals. My next goal on the list - a solo backpack.

My number one recommendation for backpacking alone is to plan and plan well. I chose a destination I had been to a few times either with others or on day trips - Summerland Park in Mt Rainier National Park. Checking with rangers helped greatly with my planning - I knew the trail conditions, weather forecast and wildlife activity before I packed my pack.

My number two recommendation is to tell another person your exact route and itinerary. This is a good plan even if you're heading out with other people. My most reliable contact person lives in Montana and I email her the itinerary, route (trail names and numbers), which forest or park and the number to call in an emergency (the county sheriff's office - 911 does no good when you are a few counties away).

My first trip was just an over-nighter, but it led to longer trips filled with fantastic adventures. There's a sense I get when I'm out alone of self-reliance, wildness and community with nature.

Going into the wilderness alone isn't for every one, but if you dare to take the chance you will never regret it - unless you get eaten by a mountain lion.

Onward!

Two-Thousand Fourteen was an amazing year for me.

I was able to get into the swing of becoming the Chair of the Seattle Mountaineers Hiking Committee - a position I dove into without much preparation. And I found folks eager to help me succeed and in turn, I'm willing to do what it takes to help them succeed as well.

Walking comfortably in my own skin (both physically and psychically) became easier. I've been able to make peace with my past and accept who I am and move forward in spite of my past.

I reached out to a couple of photography mentoring groups and made new friends, sharing ideas and trouble shooting problems. Good honest feedback.

But the best thing that happened to me in 2014 was that I found my voice and started writing. A friend reminded me that I had something to say and that I should share my message with everyone and anyone. I started writing a book for photographers. Not only started researching and writing but looking forward to getting out and researching more.

So now that we're done reminiscing about last year, what's going to happen this year?

Good things.

My schedule is ready so I can complete 90% of my research by the end of next year. Plus get a major portion of the book written and research getting it out to you.

I'll be looking for a publisher or looking into self-publishing.

Fixing my website so I'm not completely embarrassed when I hand out cards.

Starting a newsletter to keep you up to date on my progress. (Won't you like to sign up?)

It's going to be another amazing year!