It is not lost on me, the good fortune and opportunities that I'm afforded in this life. Hard work, smart decisions, and a passion for experience over things all play a part — and have allowed for the opportunity to travel to amazing places over the years. This year's big vacation brought my family and me to the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. The Pacific Northwest — an area and terrain of the US that I had yet to experience — high on our bucket list of places to visit.
Admittedly, and ashamedly, a few days into the trip I wasn't appreciating it as much as I should have. I was in my head about some weather (fog), some timing (east vs west coast, bedtimes, sunrise/sunset, tide cycles) and the understandable limitations of a seven-person trip that had hindered a few (admittedly optimistic) goals I had in mind for photography on this trip. I'm not too proud to admit that I wasn't being the best version of myself. My wife, ever the wise one, noticing this encouraged me to get out solo for a bit, to clear my head and do something for me. As planner, driver, wrangler, hike leader, excursion director, etc… the trip was equal parts vacation and work. Ever one to feel the need to be in control and have everything figured out, it was wearing on me. I was feeling like the trip was slipping away in the monotony and I wasn't truly experiencing it as I should. Cue Mother Nature.
We had settled in at the house, after a long day of exploring and driving… worn out from a few days of go-go-go. Kate encouraged me to get out, and putting aside my exhaustion, I begrudgingly agreed that it would be good for me. I gathered my gear, hopped in the car and drove to the parking area for Second Beach, in La Push, Washington. A short but not simple .8 mile hike through a dense forest, pops you out onto the most magical and peaceful beach I've had the pleasure of stepping foot on.
I arrived about 45 minutes before sunset, enough time to wander a bit, figure out some possible compositions for later, and take a few deep appreciative breaths. As the sun dropped in the sky, behind the rock cliffs to the right, color began creeping into the sky — and one of the most beautiful sunsets I have experienced took hold of the scene — my first West Coast sunset. I had moments of running around snapping photos wildly and moments of paralyzation standing in awe of the wonder I was experiencing — trying to both capture it and live in it.
