I’ve thought back and forth about writing this post, but I figure if nothing else it’s a good way for the few friends who were like “you’re going where?!” to maybe get a little insight and understand. So, you see, I’m an only child and one of my favorite things about myself & my personality is my independence. Oh, you didn’t realize this post was going to get deep, did you? Well, you can just scroll through the pretty pictures if you’d like, but I think a little look into my life may be beneficial. Where were we? Oh yes, I’m a relatively independent person. This summer has been particularly tough, not because of anything that makes sense to most people, but just because I feel like I haven’t had a lot of time to myself to really stretch my creativity as a photographer, while healing my mind and soul as a person. About a month ago now, I was sitting at my desk like I do every day, and I just suddenly got hit with a case of serious wanderlust. This happens, time to time, and usually I can stifle it or I can at least calm it for the time being. Well, this was not the case on this fateful day in July.
Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada was somewhere that was on my bucket list of places I’d love to travel, and somehow it all just happened. I had a flight, hotel, car, etc. and I would be leaving in 10 days. Yeah. A lot of people were a little shocked at the timing of everything and how quickly I booked a trip and left, but it was just something that I needed to do for me. For some people they can go take a run, a walk, etc. and clear their head and feel fully refreshed, but for me I just, I don’t know something was telling me that I needed to just go to Banff by myself and wander and reconnect to myself and, well, photography.
Guys. It was so beyond worth it that I don’t even think I have the right words to describe it. The first steps up to Lake Louise, the initial place I visited in Banff, were beyond stunning. Yes, the drive itself is beautiful, but there’s just something about the way the trees open up and you have a view of these gorgeous mountains and ice blue water. The rest of my trip there was spent at Moraine Lake as well as other random stops along the road. No path, no parking lot, just parked on the side of the road (hey thanks, rental car company for upgrading me to a Jeep!) and wandered until I found something that seemed interesting. Granted, my Moraine Lake hiking paths were slightly limited due to increased bear activity (yes, seriously!) but it didn’t even matter. Everywhere you turn in Banff is gorgeous, and I’m glad that while I did take my camera, I also took plenty of time to leave my gear in the car and just soak up all of the incredible wilderness that surrounded me.
So, here you go, a few images from my trip to Banff. A trip that let me not only see the Canadian Rockies in all their glory, but a trip that helped me reset my mind, my body, & my soul.
So, the below photo is of my shoes. I do photos like this for two reasons; 1. I like being able to remember where I was standing and everything that surrounded me in certain moments, because I’m weird like that and 2. Because these shoes are like gold to me. These specific shoes have seen so much of the world with me that I no longer wear them anytime other than when I’m traveling somewhere new and meaningful. Purchased in Paris, France as a desperate alternative to my falling apart sandals, these shoes have seen France, Monaco, Germany, Canada, and of course the US so far and I fully intend on them seeing more of the world with me since their purchase back in 2012. (: It’s the little things, guys!
That one time when there were signs all over saying that once I arrived to certain areas I wasn’t allowed to go out on the paths without a group, and I did it anyway. Bears can’t hold me down!
These locals in the below couple photos were awesome. As the group of women got closer to the shore after noticing that I was taking photos, they started profusely apologizing for “ruining my photos” and that they were done for the day and would soon be “getting out of my way” (Canadian stereotypes about niceness are true!). I assured them that they were actually making my photos better by giving them interest and they started gushing and giggling that they were going to be famous. (Sorry to disappoint them that this is just a small little photographer’s blog, but oh well!) From that they decided that near where I was standing was a good exit area, so I helped them dock their canoe and get them to shore so the one woman wouldn’t have to jump into the water as she was about to do! Good karma, guys!
That one time I left Alberta and went to British Columbia by accident, without knowing it until I was on my way back to the hotel. Whoops.
My favorite stops and moments were when I took my rental Jeep (beep! beep! to all my Jeep friends!) and parked it off road and just wandered without a path and without any signs/directions to really soak up the surrounding areas. I can still feel the breeze on my face and can still hear the quiet sounds of nature surrounding me as I look at these photos. So peaceful and so beautiful, it still doesn’t seem real to me.
Now, all I need to do is have someone approach me about a wedding so I can become a Banff wedding photographer – it’s now officially on my bucket list!
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