This post to my blog is personal is a sense, although I will add photo, and it does start out with a photo sessions.. lol!
A short story.
A wonderful family from Indiana (the state of) asked me to photograph their family while they were visiting here. They would be in Ohiopyle for the weekend and asked if I would go there to do the session. I didnt hesitate. As a child, my family spent every weekend there, playing in the river while my dad kayaked and canoed. I have many many childhood memories there, and now, my niece is a river raft guide at this very same place. I haven't returned there in many many years..and have been eager to go back and eager to visit my niece there.
The moment I "pulled into town" the memories rushed back in - like the river itself. Its like I had never left. The same corner market, the same bathhouse where we changed into our suits as children.. all still there.
The family was just getting into town and after waiting for a few rain clouds to roll out, we started our session - strolling through the town.. down to the water - stopping here and there.. They totally "get" my style and it was just a pleasure to spend the day laughing and reminiscing of the "old days". They will probably KILL me for posting this particular photo - but Amy, I could have done the Lucky Charms one :D
Thats their sneak peak. LOL!! Great kids, Beautiful people.... a true honor to photograph this family.
So all that time I spent as a child there, I was always too young to raft down the river..we had kayaks we played in, but never rafted. So while there, and of course my niece being a guide... we took a little trip.
Now, my niece works for wilderness voyageurs in Ohiopyle ...and I've always known she's a great outdoors girl - she just got back from being a guide in Costa Rica.. but.. I never knew how AWESOME she was.
This is my niece. (next set of photos taken with Nikon Coolpix)
She stand maybe 5'3". She single handedly carried this raft to the river by herself...which first off, impress the crap right out of me (I was a little huffed carrying 2 paddles and my p&s just trying to keep up with her)
The day was glorious. I'm not sure if it was because I just appreciate things more at my age than I did when I was, ok, 8..but I dont remember appreciating the grandeur of the place I was standing.
So a quick snap of the camera - to prove I was there...me on the left, my sister on my right, my friend up front with her son...and off we go.
A few quick lessons from our "guide" on the raft and we start...
There are 6-7 sets of "rapids" on this particular stretch of water...and my niece led us through each set, as if orchestrating a symphony. She talked us through "right side paddle" "left back" "all forward" in a steadfast, calming voice that maneuvered the raft at the exact angle so the river gently carried us through and around each twist and turn without ever missing a beat or skipping a rhythm. Our raft danced to her symphony and the trees and beauty around us were our audience.
We stopped once along the way for a short hike to a majestic waterfall that I sooo wished I could have stayed longer (and SOOOO longed for my big camera!)Love the CoolPix but this photo just doesnt do this waterfall justice!!!
And I walked back down, with the rest in front of me, and only the sound of the waterfall behind me... I stopped for a moment...and thought of the greatness of it all.... and the smallness I was standing there.
And how proud I was of my niece..and how beautiful that moment ....- right there was.
We continued down the river through some more spectacular rapids - did some body surfing in the waves at the take out and had a glorious day.
I got home to 101 emails, files waiting to put online, you know..all that stuff that waits for you... but I tucked those memories of my trip real secure in my mind...as I can recall on them frequently when I need to. :)