Adventure Shoes

I'm finally getting around to posting some pics from a little wilderness expedition with my dear friend Holly a little while back.

Since Senior Show, I've been really interested in this idea of 'Documenting' and wanted to highlight all the little parts that make an experience. I think there are a whole lot of things that go into creating an event that we discard pretty quick, and as a photographer, I leave out of the visual portrayal of it. So here's to finding what those little things are. 

Probably I'm setting myself up for an unending battle, because how do you share the experience of feeling little minnows zip past your feet while they're sloshing through chilly stream water? Or even the light— the color of it when it starts to head over the the westside around 4 o'clock and the temperature of it when it finally peeks through the trees?

Little things like conversation. 

Or gravity.

And the things that happen to be blooming that particular week.

Walking

Well, some of you have noticed that about two weeks ago after graduating college, I decided to stick around town. As I've been presented with the unending stream of new thoughts and questions which are probably typical of every recent college grad, I think I've been especially impacted by one idea, and I'd like to share it.

Walking.

Having lived here in Marion for four years already, there are houses, sidewalks, trees which I have driven past many many times. Never did I walk past them. Never did I see them up close, until now.

I think maybe it's the weather. Or the fact that I'm starting to pay for all those things in life that you take for granted, and so using more money on gas is less appealing. But I think I'm onto something.

There's just something about walking. Something that's relaxing, slowing, freeing. There's something about walking that is humbling. Because you're not just looking on, breezing by. You're a part of the the environment, experiencing it fully.

Anyway, all this to say that in my walking endeavors, I came across this beautiful place full of character and story and I wonder about it now. This is my friend Rachel and she graciously accompanied me in exploration. 

Looking forward to continuing to be impacted by this place! 

The Fishermen

We arrived just as Ron, a friendly retired fellow was beginning his trek out to the water

Mitch, another retired fisherman was hoping for a bite from salmon or brown trout.

Fish eggs of course make the best bait.

Ron recalled the years when dozens could be found out on this pier years ago. For now though, these two friends were the only ones to be found

Unfortunately, the choppy water made sure to keep the fish away while we were there.

In Honor of Exploration

Despite trying to forget about the long winter we are emerging from here in Illinois, I decided to post some of the pictures from a little exploration back in March.

I happened across this fantastically abandoned location while wandering through some of the backroads. The rows and rows of glass bottle puzzled me, sitting untouched for who knows how long until little bit of research informed me of the incredible glass factory that once stood before a fire some years back. 

Someone had graciously left a ladder in order for me to hoist myself up to the second floor. 

Part of the warehouse was still standing, though in a less than perfect state. The partially demolished building, though, let in just enough snow and light to get this shot.