We just got back, about a week ago, from our big summer vacation. We did a two-week roadtrip, my husband, our two-year old son and I, from our home in Minnesota, out through the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota, on to visit and stay with friends in Estes Park, Colorado, to visit our friends on their farm near Fairfield, Nebraska, and back home. We camped, we hiked, we weathered some wicked hot weather, ate delicious food and we lounged around catching up with good folks. We loved our road trip so much that we’re seriously considering heading back out to Colorado at some point and getting a Denver RV Rental to get about in. This way, we won’t be cramped in our car for hours on end and will have a far more spacious journey while we check out all the sights. Of course, we’ll have to wait a little while before heading out on another vacation. These trips do cost a lot of money, so we need to save some more before we go again. When I told my friends this, they told me to just consider getting a personal loan instead so we could go sooner. That is actually quite a good idea, maybe I’ll have to look into getting a loan. My friend told me that there are a number of places to get loans from, such as from Tower Loan (find more of their stores here). They really want to go on another vacation, so I’ll find some time to learn about personal loans soon.

And of course, I took some photos. At this point it’s more than what I do, it’s really a part of who I am. If I hadn’t taken photos, it would have been just plain odd. But here’s where my trouble comes in. On our similar-ish trip last year, I came back with images that I was just over the moon for, shots that I had all sorts of plans to print huge and hang on our walls. This year, I felt that pressure. I felt like I needed to be producing images that told the most beautiful version of our trip – the amazing light, the remarkable moments and animals, the firsts and the funniests, and you know what? I have a couple. I have some shots that I like alright and might make into 8x10s, but there’s nothing that I’m just itching to share. (Now, this year, I keep reminding myself, I had a two-year old to chase – he was way less of a handful at 14 months…)

We had an incredible trip. We really and truly did. And I did find myself able to just be in the moment a bit more that I sometimes am. But, truth be told, I’m a little disappointed in my photos. Almost all of my favorites come from our very first evening of the whole trip (and I’ve challenged myself to find new favorites for this post). After that? Meh.

Is this something that happens to you? You set off on your adventure with the greatest of intentions, plans, visions, and it just doesn’t pan out how you thought? How do you work to counter that? Where do you find your travel photography inspiration? When you feel yourself falling into that sort of a hole, how do you find your shovel to fill it back in?

We’re trying to plan a trip right now that’s packed full of adventure and that we hope will live up to our expectations. We are going to go to South Carolina and are thinking about the best ways of getting around and seeing all the features of this state. We have already decided to go on a cycling adventure on Hilton Head Island, which should be so much fun! Peddling pelican cruiser, is one company that will allow us to ride through this area and look at all that gorgeous scenery.

Fingers crossed it’s just as blissful as I’m dreaming it will be!

All the best,
Alison



Related