For the first time since March 2020, I boarded a plane and left the Midwest. This also marked the first time since 2019 that I took a vacation where I didn’t check my work email (small victories!)
Like many others, I realized that constant travel is one of the things that keeps me sane and energized. Nothing like the world coming to a screeching halt to realize how much you enjoy getting out of your apartment, despite being an introvert, right? With masks in hand (well, on our faces) and jabs in our arms, my friend Shannon and I headed out West for a few days of tranquility.
Three of my best friends from college and I have made the unspoken commitment since graduation to try and visit each other at least once/year. In 2019 we made it to D.C. to visit Shannon, 2020 marked New Orleans to see Izzie, and 2021 was Jane’s turn to host us in Salt Lake City (Sandy, UT). Though we missed Shannon in the Big Easy and Izzie in Mormon Country, we’ve filled the gaps with sporadic FaceTimes and Christmas cards. Our trip to NOLA last year was immediately followed by worldwide shutdowns, so I was really grateful to have captured some happy photos.
For some reason unbeknownst to me, I’ve recently created this association in my head that getting my camera out and taking photos was just another form of work. I’m not sure if it’s due to the line between work/life balance in my day job becoming completely blurred or severe burnout (probably both), but I just haven’t found the joy in taking photos lately. I made it a mission to myself before Shannon and I trekked to O’Hare that I’d find some fun in creating memorable photos both of my friends and of the beauty of the nature that would surround us.
This last year has also been a solid reminder of the importance photography can play in preserving memories, whether they’re beautiful or tragic. Like the rest of the world, Jane, Shannon and I have all had moments of struggle this past year, and I wanted these photos to serve as a bright light to celebrate some sort of return to normalcy.
Please enjoy some mountain photos!
