Time flies. Hold the kids close, they’ll be gone in a blink. It is true. As our children grow into young adults the family moments become rare, the drama crescendos. The house demands attention. Work-life dials to 11. Seasons change, life moves our focus.
The blog goes dark for three years.
I can sense the season shifting back again. Just a slight breeze now, life is still quite full. But I hope these winds bring me back to the original intentions of this blog...
Get out. Adventure. Capture the beautiful moments. Tune photography skills. Inspire others.
Top of Steelhead Falls
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF18-55mm @34mm, f/5.6, 1/2s, ISO 200 ]
I still shoot with the Fuji XE-1 that so inspired me six years ago. The photos stand up to time - color, dynamic range, and incredible detail. The XE body is still immaculate, built to last. I continue to marvel at the colorful details pulled out of absolutely black shadows. And yet six years changes everything - even my basic iPhone SE is now a superb camera for the day to day moments in a busy life. Snap a shot, post it, get the likes. If I were to upgrade, it will likely be the iPhone that comes first - I suppose that is a testament to how well the Fuji XE-1 has stood over time as my small “big” camera.
Long exposure of Mt Hood from Timothy Lake. The bright dots on the mountain are Snowcats grading the ski slopes.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF60mm, f/16, 30s, ISO 200 ]
Snapped this shot of the Santiam Pass through the windshield with the always-handy iPhone
[ iPhone SE ]
Our home has taken a major role in this season of life. A two-story suburban tract home built in mid-90’s to the lowest spec fit and finish, it has demanded our attention in every way. And so we rolled up our sleeves and dove in. Each of the past five summers has found us tackling increasingly more challenging projects: HVAC, siding, paint, roofing, followed by two summers of backyard and patio work which absolutely transformed the way we use our outdoor space. Then, this last fall, the leaks, rust and tired fixtures drove us into a full interior remodel. Flooring, electrical, appliances, countertops, cupboards, paint and surfaces, every fixture and trim-piece. Everything is changed. There is still more to do but I decided to take a break this summer. We’ll dive back into the remodel in the fall.
The start of our residing project. Rotted T1-11 comes down, new sheeting goes up. Goodbye powder blue.
[ iPhone SE ]
The siding goes on, one weekend at a time.
[ iPhone SE ]
Laying the patio pavers - after many days of grading, moving, and compacting gravel.
[ iPhone SE ]
Our finished outdoor area.
[ iPhone SE ]
The summer of roofing.
[ iPhone SE ]
Building new cabinet faces for the master bathroom. We’ll use this same style for the kitchen.
[ iPhone SE ]
The finished cabinet faces installed in the master bathroom.
[ iPhone SE ]
We’ve sold the motorcycle and traded boats a few times. The experience of riding a motorcycle is fantastic and I may come back to it when the kids are grown. But sailing is something even more, it seems glued to my DNA. There is nothing as calming to my soul as being carried along glassy water by a lazy morning breeze, hot chai in hand. We needed to get back to the water. A small sailing dinghy substituted for a few years but didn’t quite meet the need - impractical for adventuring and I never could bring camera gear on board. This year we purchased a Hobie Tandem Island, a solid camera platform and an excellent boat for our now-smaller family. Even just over the last few months our adventures on ‘Moana’ have proven extraordinary.
Sailing the Hobie Tandem Island on Winchester Bay
[ iPhone SE ]
The Hobie Tandem Island beached on the lower Umpqua
[ iPhone SE ]
Our dinghy, hiding in the reeds. An excellent row boat, a spirited sail, but not quite enough for adventuring.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, X60mm, f/2.8, 1/600s, ISO 200 ]
For three years this Honda NC-700X was my full-time commuter
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF60mm, f/2.8, 1/640s, ISO 400 ]
We’ve had another graduation, another road trip to Disneyland to celebrate, another child moving onward and outward. Our third kid, and last at home, is an adventurer through and through, I’m looking forward to these coming years exploring our piece of the world together.
McNary class of 2019 cap toss, Abigail’s graduation
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF50-140mm @106mm, f/4.0, 1/60s, ISO 3200 ]
Disneyland adventures
[ iPhone SE ]
Abigail’s senior photo shoot, Oregon State Capital State Park
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF50-140mm @140mm, f/3.6, 1/250s, ISO 200 ]
Abigail, Oregon State Capital State Park
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF50-140mm @102mm, f/3.6, 1/250s, ISO 200 ]
There has been some photography in the crevices of the busy times, the shots on this post are an example. But most of my time behind the camera has been primarily reserved for family or church events.
A very dapper nephew
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF60mm, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 200 ]
One of my nieces, looking gorgeous in her senior photos
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF50-140mm @134mm, f/2.8, 1/60s, ISO 200 ]
Senior photos in the Oregon State Capital State Park
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF50-140mm @77mm, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 200 ]
Pastor Trevor Robinson, downtown Salem, OR
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF50-140mm @140mm, f/2.8, 1/500s, ISO 200 ]
Our youngest snuggling with my mom on a camping trip
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF60mm, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 800 ]
Our youngest, shot at the Oregon State Capital State Park
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF50-140mm @80mm, f/4, 1/500s, ISO 200 ]
One of my favorite shots of Christina, my wife and partner in life. Set in our backyard.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF60mm, f/2.8, 1/125s, ISO 200 ]
Another beautiful niece. Those green eyes!
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF60mm, f/2.8, 1/500s, ISO 200 ]
Thor, our mighty kitten
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF50-140mm @102mm, f/4, 1/30s, ISO 1600 ]
For those of you who have dropped a comment and challenged me to keep blogging - thank you! Your encouragement has been meaningful. If you’re reading this now, chime in, I would love to hear from you.
~ Adriel
Watching the sunset from our campsite at one of my favorite places, Suttle Lake, at the top of Oregon’s Santiam Pass
[ iPhone SE ]