(Any of the following was written through blurred misty joyful eyes of triumph- yet again.)
Shadows and whispers of another life can always be heard clearer when traveling. Maybe especially by air. The Terminal in Orlando, for me, has many memories intact that now stand behind one of those white blind walls, and two old yellow kitchen doors that somehow have probably been hanging since the 1970s. Another story for another day if I find it’s still worth telling.
As I made my way past those ugly doors to the United club, it felt like maybe for once life was moving with me, rather than like some wind I have to tack against to make way. Not that flying with a broken nervous system is easy. Nor is flying from sea level to…Denver. Then puking your way into Montana and the arms of your best friend (I can’t do anything normal.) Also, Fuck Denver, I think?
All I could think was “Get it together.” Or as my Dad would say (and absolutely DID SAY to me via text) “Get to the Fun Part.”
To some or perhaps, all- these stream of consciousness details might be skippable in favor of the photos- so let’s skip some of it, just like rocks at the ‘crik.’
As the routines started to take hold, the day felt friendly and familiar-with one major exception- THAT BACK DROP:
Montana in Late July. What a sight to behold.
Even the local little overlook blew my mind. The River at Rattlesnake National Recreation Area was enough for me to be taken aback and blow right through 3 rolls of film. I was so fixated on water over Mountains and stone I couldn’t even think straight anymore. I could hardly take a few steps without photographing the view. I was absolutely ‘that guy with the old camera’ and already loving every second.
The aforementioned best friend in creation took this one of me below and many more on a disposable camera that truly show me that I am not a photographer….and maybe you ask….
WHY? As a word worker, shoot on only 35mm, get sun flares and underexposed shots of nature? Because it’s FUN and makes it look like 1997 again. That’s why. (Also, just maybe, pictures are helpful when words fail.)
This was just the warmup. The fun part was truly about to begin. The whole reason I would leave home besides my favorite person, was something in the world I had never truly experienced yet…..Waterfalls.
Maybe some of them aren’t so literal.
