Purpose

There is always a reason for the choices that we make. Sometimes those are the result of a great deal of thought, but sometimes we aren't even sure of our reasoning. Major life decisions should always be the result of the former.

As you know, I came to the mountains to live a simpler, more purposeful life. A few short months into the adventure, this new life is meeting all of my expectations.  I've written about my decisions before, so today I thought I'd write about why I'm a photographer.

I've always been an explorer of sorts. My inquisitive mind often leads me down the road less travelled (both real and philosophical), and I love to share the world's scenery from my point of view.  Sometimes I'll show views that few people have the chance to see, while other times I show more familiar subjects from different viewpoints.

I hope that by sharing my images I can reach out to people who appreciate the natural world, and maybe encourage that appreciation in other people.  My work may provoke fond memories or provide people with an opportunity to see parts of the world that they may not be able to see in real life.

Documenting the past is just as important as capturing the seasons. Just last week I was fortunate enough to tour an area of great historical significance.

I hope that my images (and those of my colleague) assist in some small way with the preservation of the structures.

Spring is almost here. A whole new season of photography awaits, and I hope that a part of our heritage can be regenerated like so many new shoots and flowers.

Permanence

Next week will mark the beginning of my adventures in permaculture. One of the pioneers described it as "a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted and thoughtful observation rather than premature and thoughtless labor; and of looking at plants and animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single project system."

My permaculture garden will consist of no-dig raised beds filled with rich organic compost (home produced) and irrigated with collected rainwater. The garden will be pesticide free, and will make use of companion planting to attract pollinators and pest predators.

While the ground is frozen and covered in snow, there is little I can do outside. Instead I will begin to practice vermiculture (composting with worms). The bin will soon be ready and the worms are on their way. If what I've read is true, they can handle 8oz of kitchen waste each day!

In addition, I'll grow shiitake mushrooms indoors. When they no longer fruit, the remains of the kit will be used to inoculate the new soil, adding beneficial fungi.

With these and a few other ideas, I hope to build a sustainable garden that will produce organic crops and attract beneficial insects, while requiring no chemical pest control or fertilizers.

Permaculture in the Rockies will be challenging (short season, late frosts, strong sun, deer, bears, etc), but I've been planning for a while and know that it can be done.

Some of my earliest memories are of harvesting home-grown crops, and I found one particular TV comedy show on the subject of self-sufficiency / simple living highly influential at an early age. Since relocating here to follow my dreams, every decision feels right. I know I'll make a few mistakes, but I expect my permaculture experiment to be richly rewarding!

View the images used in this post here.

Rewards

While I was planning my escape from the city, I remember struggling to find the time to do much more than work (at the office), commute, and squeeze in the occasional run. It took at least two days to relax at the end of the week. Strangely enough, I now find myself as busy as I can ever remember being, and yet I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Living simply involves undertaking most tasks yourself where possible, so while I am working on my photography and building new maps, I'm also heavily involved in some construction work, and I find it all incredibly satisfying. I own the product of my labor, I have no supervisor, and my work has a legitimate purpose that is in keeping with my values.

Warren Zevon once famously said "Enjoy every sandwich". That phrase has stayed with me since I first heard it. All too often, we realize too late that life is short. In my case, it was too short to spend the greater part of each day doing a job I could see no point in. While life is fragile, this is no reason to be afraid to experiment. You have to go out and make the sandwich before you can enjoy it!

Enjoy your week, and thanks for reading.

Awakenings

Rocky Mountain winters are long and cold (earlier today, the temperature outside was -12°F). Still, with the right will and equipment the mountains are a snow-covered playground, and busy summer destinations are places of solitude during the winter.

 

I've realized that I've felt restricted over the last few weeks. I've tried to juggle too many things and have been left frustrated when I can't make enough progress. Having learned this, I can devote more time to what I consider to be most important. Relocation was meant to be a learning experience, and I felt that it would be useful to stretch myself. I still do, but I now know that some things are not going to make me happy, and those must be cut (in keeping with the psychological side of the simple living ethic).

Much lies ahead in the summer. I have plans for a permaculture garden (if my current construction project is complete!), and there is a whole mountain range to explore on my doorstep. Of course, it will all be a photographic journey!

Adjustment

This new life of mine took a great deal of dedication and planning. However, at this point, I'm finding that there are certain challenges that cannot easily be planned for. There is a voice in my head saying "Simplify, simplify", and yet it has been much easier to say than to do. Simplification of my surroundings and lifestyle required a few bold decisions. The simplification of my days has been more difficult to achieve. Now that I'm self-employed, I've found that my new boss can be quite demanding. I still need to develop a flexible routine that allows for a healthy balance of work and play. I have to develop my own structure in keeping with the simple living ethic.
Patience is a virtue that I haven't had to make much use of in recent years. An office job in the city can be fast-paced, while all conveniences are within easy reach. Building a new life requires time and a new approach. It is only now that I am learning to slow down. Here's a recent shot that was taken around the time that I really began to adjust:

By slowing down it is easier to notice the small things, like the red leaves of the oregon grape, or the dried rose hips, or the rest of the winter flora and fauna that the casual observer might miss. It makes me a better photographer, and it makes life in the mountains more rewarding.

Mountain Time

It has been almost three weeks since I left my city office for the last time, and I am only just beginning to realize that I am truly free to mold every facet of my life as I see fit. In order to do this properly, I need to be prepared to let ideas come naturally. I'm still working at a high-pressure office pace in my mind. The change of surroundings was relatively easy; the change of attitude requires some self-improvement and will be ongoing.  I'm still finding my 'rhythm', but already I can take time to watch clouds pass by, study wildlife up close or just appreciate a snow shower or a full moon.

For the first time in years, work is fun. Take a look at the ice climbing event that I covered last weekend!

At this point in my life, I'm very happy to have swapped a good salary for fun-filled days and nights. Living costs can be reduced by making meals and furniture from basic materials, which is in itself a pleasurable experience. Walking instead of driving reduces stress and saves money, if not time (but it is time well spent). 

Life is here and now. It doesn't just happen at the weekend or on holiday / vacation. We have a duty to ourselves to find the things that make us happy.

Strange Dream

As I type, snow lies at a depth of 3" and more falls in the darkness outside, where wood smoke hangs in the air. Inside, the ticking of a clock is the only sound. Almost two weeks have passed since the adventure began. I'm still keenly aware of the passing of time, and I am still very busy, but I find pleasure in most tasks, whether it be hand-squeezing oranges or hand-sawing wood. There is time to savour the smells and to enjoy creating new things.

Despite the great simplifying effort, I feel that I have everything I need. In fact, I probably have more than I really need in order to be happy, even now. There are no cell phones in this house, and no cable TV. 'Conveniences' such as those have always been more of a source of annoyance.

Winter is becoming my favorite season. The greens of summer are replaced with an almost dream-like black and white version of the landscape that is equally beautiful.

As always, you can see more of the expanding winter gallery here. I have a new lens and expect to have several new images to share very soon. If I can keep track of the days, I'll post weekly. I hope you'll continue to join me.