Rainy Day Run
It was doable, so I did it.
After losing so much running time to ice covered trails this winter, I’m not about to let a little rain deter me from my daily run. Even when the rain suddenly turned to sleet upon my arrival at the trail head. Is this some kind of test? It was doable, so I did it and my après run experience was that much sweeter.
Happy Hour Snowshoe
Snowshoeing is the perfect antidote for cabin fever.
With the sun shining and the temperature finally a bit higher, I headed out for a late afternoon snowshoe today. Cabin fever was setting in after a long stretch of severe weather and frigid temps, and it felt awesome to break free from that and enjoy some outdoor time with my favorite winter activity.
I’m modeling my new snowshoes from Crescent Moon Snowshoes that are designed for either walking or running in snow. I bought them after finding a broken strap on my old snowshoes which prevented me from snowshoeing in the last big snowfall.
I’ve been limited to gym workouts for most of January and February and have missed my outdoor activities. I was so happy to get outside and get some extra steps in today.
Golden Hour Glow
A rest day gives me time to enjoy some golden hour sunshine.
I’m rarely free to take photos during golden hour, that magical window twice a day when the light is often ideal for photography. But today I found myself with some extra time and took advantage of the opportunity to shoot during the evening golden hour.
That warm glow from the descending sun really does add something special to the photos, especially in winter when it’s so cold and the light is usually cooler.
Spending some time outdoors in the sunshine helps to keep my spirits high in the winter, and today’s golden hour was the perfect time to get a Vitamin D fix alongside some great photos.
Deadlifts and Vitamin D
Deadlifts and sunshine come together for a beautiful day.
Friday brought two of my favorite things - deadlifts and sunshine, both giving me a much-needed boost. I had a great workout with an early morning deadlift session that set the tone for the day. While physically taxing, deadlifting makes me feel strong and confident, and that feeling stayed with me all day long.
It was still very cold today, but the sun makes a big difference here, especially when it comes to spending time outdoors in lower temperatures. It was the perfect day to get a Vitamin D fix, despite the cold weather.
Rounding out my perfect day was a salon appointment with the amazing Kaitlyn, who worked her magic on my hair. This is the best my hair is going to look all month, so I figured I’d take a few photos.
Winter Break
Warmer temps provide some relief today.
January has been challenging weather-wise with bitter cold temps and high winds. Today, the temperatures rose into the forties, melting the snow and making it much more tolerable to be outside. My routine has been upended this month because of weather, and today gave me the chance to get back outside and get back on the road with Ringo.
Winter Sunshine
The perfect combination of sun and snow calls me outside today.
A beautiful blanket of snow on the ground and radiant sunshine from above gave me the perfect opportunity to get outside for a Vitamin D fix and some photos. These are perfect photography conditions as the sunlight reflects off the snow covered ground creating gorgeous, soft natural light. It’s been such a great week for photography and beautiful winter portraits.
Change in Plans
A broken strap derails my snowshoeing plans.
Another beautiful snowfall called me outside today. I love the way snow transforms the winter landscape, creating a beautiful backdrop for outdoor activities. Snowshoeing would have been my choice today, but a broken snowshoe strap derailed those plans. I’ll get that sorted out before the next snowfall, and in the meantime, I had a great opportunity to take these winter wonderland photos. I feel like I’m in a snow globe!
Back in the Game
Fully rested and ready to go.
After a strong start to the New Year, a nasty cold took me down for a full week. I’m back at it this week and so happy to be healthy again. A beautiful snowfall gave me the perfect backdrop for my return and for a snowy selfie.
Hello Winter
A break in the weather gives me an opening for an outdoor winter portrait.
After a mild November, December brought clouds, high winds and bitter cold temps. Today’s sunny blue skies brought some relief and made being outside tolerable for the first time in weeks. The break in the weather gave me an opportunity for an outdoor portrait in the beautiful winter sunshine. ☀️
Feels Like Fall
Just me enjoying the fall weather.
It was a gorgeous fall day and felt like the perfect time to take a self portrait. 😀
Say Goodbye to Summer
Another summer flies by.
It’s time to say goodbye to summer. Goodbye to short shorts, sunshine and longer days. The cooler temps have blown in, the leaves are falling, the seasons are changing. Summer flew by this year, but only because I was having so much fun. 😀
My Go Dog
A fun shot of me and my go-dog.
I love this shot of me with Ringo, perfectly capturing our fun adventures together. Ringo is the only dog I have who is comfortable in a car, and the only dog who poses like this from the back window of my 2007 FJ Cruiser. Today’s photo is a new twist on Ringo’s signature shot, with me getting in on the shot. ❤️
This photo was captured at Sterling State Park, a favorite stop for Ringo and me on our Wednesday day trips. Not just fun outings, Wednesdays are also practice days, so Ringo can get more experience being out and about, while gaining exposure to new situations and settings. It’s all part of socializing him and getting him prepped for the ultimate road trip - a 1,500 mile cross country move.
For more shots of Ringo in his signature pose, click on the Ringo on the Go tag at the end of this post.
Whoops
My first blooper.
I had my first blooper today and it was a doozie. I dropped my remote shutter release in the water, so this is the last shot of the day, and the last shot my old shutter release will ever take. But the great part is that the moment actually got captured by the camera! Now that’s a lucky shot. 😂
Free to Roam
A dog-less day trip.
A solo trip to Sterling State Park without a dog in tow gives me some time to linger.
Heat Wave
High temps and humidity make for a sticky photo session.
This week’s heat wave has made it uncomfortable to be outside, even for short periods of time. Photographing myself midday in the muggy conditions was probably not the best timing, but it forced me to work quickly. Focus and efficiency paid off with several great shots.
Summer Time Flies
The days are longer but they go by faster.
Even with the longer days, summer seems to fly by, and will be a blur in the rear view mirror come September. Today’s photo captures one of summer’s fleeting moments.
I Got the Boot
A broken foot tests my patience and resolve.
I got a puppy knowing full well my life would become a whirlwind in the weeks and months that followed. What I did not anticipate is breaking my foot three days after adopting Moose. My doc says I have to wear the walking boot for at least eight weeks. In the meantime, my foot is healing slowly, Moose is growing quickly, and I can’t wait to give this boot the boot.
Winter Walk
Embrace the season.
Snowshoeing turns my daily walk into something a bit more challenging and fun. It's also great way to shake off the winter doldrums that come with living in a place with a long winter season.