The last month has flown by, probably because I've taken 4 separate trips over the course of it! It's been a flurry of backpacks, suitcases, camping supplies, and gas receipts. I've visited New River Gorge in West Virginia for a private workshop, Cape Elizabeth in Maine for my nephew's high-school graduation, Canaan Valley in West Virginia for another private workshop, and then back to New River Gorge to photograph the rhododendron bloom in the fog. Nature photography in the summer can be exhausting - early sunrises and late sunsets make for short nights and limited rest. All that to say: I have just a couple of things to share with you this month!
My biggest project at the moment is researching a new outdoor vehicle to replace my trusty and lovely Ellie Ann - a 2011 converted Honda Element - which is starting to feel a little less than 100% trustworthy. I spend time in remote areas - moderately rugged forest roads with no cell service, so reliability and terrain-capability are a top priority for me (note that I don't do any extreme off-roading, mostly just rough gravel roads with some minor areas of exposed rock). Replacing this vehicle is a VERY TALL ORDER - Ellie Ann has been such a great one, and served my needs so well, I hope I can find something equally perfect. I also need stealth - so a Sprinter van or equivalent just doesn't fit that bill at all. I need a “vanilla” vehicle that I can park anywhere and nobody knows I'm in it. Interior space is also important - I want to be able to relax inside and cook, too. So with those needs in mind, I have landed on a lifted and converted Toyota Sienna AWD (hybrid). Yep - a minivan! Once lifted, it will have the same ground clearance as my Element, so should work for the level of off-roading I do. Nobody pays attention to minivans, so I should definitely be stealth at trailheads and parking lots. And with a pop-top (for campground locations) and a Lagom camping conversion inside, I'll have more room than I have currently, so that would be an upgrade. I'd love to know if anyone out there has experience or advice on this direction. It's certainly an unexpected choice for an outdoor vehicle, and no small investment, so I want to consider everything before committing. Please reply to this email and let me know your thoughts if you have them!
Now grab your coffee and find more good stuff below. I have some new work and a recent interview feature with Elements Magazine to share with you. And some reading recommendations, too!
Thanks for being here - I'm grateful to have this space to bring you along.
