Minnesota Trip 2022

This year, my mother and I traveled together to Minnesota, via road, as usual. I was to drive there with her and fly home, and my aunt flew out to make the return drive with her.

Anaconda, MT

The images above were all take at stop at Anaconda, MT. The last image is of the Anaconda Smoke Stack - I’ve somehow never seen this along our drive before, and with the sun setting and it being almost dark, I got chills with how much it looked like the Dark Tower (from my favorite Stephen King books of the same title) - just sans roses.

I will definitely be back to see this in the daytime up close sometime in the future.

Billings, MT

We stayed the first night in Billings, MT, and I woke up for sunrise so I could go for a mini hike at Zimmerman Trail. I was worried about Rattle Snakes as they are typically out in the morning, but didn’t see any. I saw plenty of other hikers and lots of dogs. The view of Billings from this location was unbeatable. I am so happy I got up early before starting the 2nd stretch of our drive.

Medora, ND

We made one quick pit stop in Medora, ND, even though we had no plans this time to attend a live show. It was fun to explore for a bit, get in some exercise, and try to avoid the many thousands of grasshoppers.

At the National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown, ND, you can actually see live Buffalo. I wasn’t exactly being the safest photographer getting this shot… do not recommend. But they are majestic. I really feel these should be wild and not kept here, but the spectacle of it still brought us there to see for ourselves.

East Grand Forks, MN

Got to Visit with my Aunt and Uncle, Steve and Linda, in Grand Forks!

The Family Farm

Seeing my other Uncle Brian on the family farm in St. Hilaire was such a great time. This place is probably the one location that is the most special to me in the world. So many photos have been taken in this special place. The memories are intense. I really hope the house survives the next winter (the basement has some severe cracking in the foundation and the harsh Minnesota winters do not help).

St. Hilaire, MN

I explored a bit more of St. Hilaire when I went for a walk - I had never seen most parts of the town. I walked to the local park, saw some fishermen, some softball players, some very cute homes. My father apparently used to make this walk several times a day with his dog Sky when he was most recently living here before he passed.

Thief River Falls, MN

Made a few stops to say hi to my father.

Got some tennis in finally with my mom! It was a beautiful evening in TRF. I remember playing on these courts with my father as child.

Got to see my Aunt Mavis and take her to lunch! It’s always so nice that she makes time to see us when we are in town.

Halstad, MN

My first cousins, once removed (my mother’s cousins - I just think of them as Aunts) were all in Halstad, MN to see us. Here Dana shows off her pretty jewelry.

Sisters! Teresa and Dana.

Finally, my mom wanted to recreate a few poses that they had done as children.

My mother and Lisa.

Lisa, my mother, and Teresa.

Berkeley Graduation 2022

My best friend is a doctor! On May 15, 2022, my best friend Angela graduated from Berkeley’s School of Public Health & I was lucky to be able to attend. Here are a few photos from the momentous day:

The last time I visited Angela at Berkeley we shot photos at the Campanile (Sather Tower) - this was all pre-pandemic. I had no idea that the next time I’d be back taking photos there it would be the reception of her graduation, along with most of her family and friends!

Of course - all of Angela’s friends are incredibly sweet and even though I love to be behind the camera, I am thankful that people also push me to get in photos as well. This is my best friend after all, and I am so proud of her! Here is one of us together:

Finally, here is also a video montage of the trip/celebration! Most of the video footage and photos were taken by me, but I also included some video/pics from Angela and her other friends so we could have a capsule of this moment from everyone and not just my own perspective.

End of the year wrap up - 2021!

Well…. the time has come. 2021 is coming to a close. In many ways this year has been difficult and in many ways this year has been totally rewarding.

Since the end of November, we have been finishing up the purchase of our first home, painting that home. moving into that home, and cleaning up our apartment. It has been so much work but we also were able to enjoy a little bit along the way. There was no November blog post as a result, but that’s how life goes!

If you didn’t know, I am trying to challenge myself to learning something new or being creative every month in some way. In November, it was learning to paint our house. I am documenting these things over on my YouTube channel - you can watch November’s video here:

December’s video will be up shortly, but for now, please enjoy some of the photos I took this month:

Lee enjoying a latte in our front yard.

We also decided to explore the neighborhood during the terrific weather.

Our neighborhood sure has changed from our location in Ballard! Look what my neighbor has parked in their yard!

Enjoying one of our local parks.

…and exploring another local park that we may or may not have been allowed at!

Finally got to decorate a little bit for Christmas, as well as wrap some presents while Max judged me about how long his next meal was taking…

Went to a holiday market at the Tractor Tavern back in Ballard to get some last minute hand made gifts.

A beautiful ornament from my mother.

A day out in Seattle with my best friend, Angela!

Some family time with my nephew, my mother, my sister, and both Lee’s.

And of course… the snow. The second big snow of 2021. We got some on Christmas Eve and then a bunch more on the 26th. It is still here, going into the new year…. hopefully it will start melting soon when the temperatures allow it!

Capping this year off with a snow-filled view from my back yard.

This year has brought along so much change. I am trying to embrace it, and actually lean into it. I want to grow as a person, and can’t wait to see what 2022 will bring.

As a side note - I only made a few posts this year on my blog, so a true end of the year post with the “Best of” photos isn’t necessary - it’s all right here for you to look at! I also am skipping 2021’s top albums. There were many great moments in music this year, but albums themselves did not capture me this year. Perhaps it was a slow year, or perhaps I was just so busy focusing on exercising, laying my father to rest, moving, and getting back into creative ventures again, during year 2 of the pandemic, that I just was neglectful.

There was only one album this year that blew me away. That was Turnstile’s album Glow On.

The album is phenomenal frontwards and back. I could not stop listening to this one. It was reflective, catchy, and filled with momentum. Here’s a bit to tie you over with:

Thanks everyone, and see you in 2022!!