I saw this photo (above) on Kallie's blog earlier this week and was inspired to see more. I was delighted to find this wonderful collection of images by Randy P. Martin, all capturing the wild spirit of the Pacific Northwest that I've been missing lately. I want to strap some granola on my back and climb mountains and look out over majestic landscapes and just be quiet and peaceful and free for a while.
When I was in high school, I had the choice to either go to France and Switzerland with my French class or travel to Washington with the Outing Club. I chose Europe, I certainly do not regret it, and I know that I am more inclined to be the sort of person who goes to Europe than the sort of person who spends a week camping under the stars in the mountains. However, I have always had a special connection with the natural world that I will never (and never want to) shake. Someday I will hike through the Rockies and sleep in the Redwood forest and visit Big Sur, but for now I will have to content myself with gazing longingly through the window of Martin's lens. And, for old time's sake, some photos from a long-ago road trip to the Oregon Coast, when i was broke as can be and free:
Those photos are incredible! Can I please go sit on that giant swing? Your tripe to Oregon looks fun too. It's making me long for summer.
ReplyDeleteI was completely mesmerized by the first photo when I saw it, too. The rest of Martin's photos are equally beautiful and alluring. I've always wanted to visit the Pacific Northwest and road trip down (or up) the coast.
ReplyDeleteHomesickness.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots. I actually like the last two, from your own trip, the best though :) Funny how in retrospect being broke often seems to coincide with a little piece of freedom. I don't think they're necessarily connected but they do seem to go together :D
ReplyDeleteThese are amazing. I am truly in awe or any other cliche phrase I could use for something that's indescribably beautiful. I would love to see these landscapes too. There's so much more power to these photos than any Ansel Adams photograph I've ever seen. There's just so much life in them. Thanks so much for sharing. True inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThat picture of you kelp-roping (instead of jump-roping?) is AWESOME.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in some of those places, and it's really hard for me to live in a city now, where I have no access to wilderness like that.
Fantastic photos! As much as I classify myself as a "city girl", I am also strongly attracted to a simple life in the mountains. Last summer I spent 8 days in Maine for my vacation, and this year I will be heading down to the Shenandoah Valley. Next year is a major trip... hiking the Inca trail to Maccu Pichu! There's just something so physically and mentally satisfying about spending time outdoors and reconnecting to the earth.
ReplyDelete