Moving right along here, one river trip about done and two left to go, I’ve been working on pictures a little bit with good luck. The Alaska 2011 photo gallery is about done at this point, so head on over to that page if you haven’t seen it at this point and take a look. I’m pretty happy with the way things worked out there.

Turning the page, I’ve started a Columbia and Snake River 2011 page and put some photos up. I’m not too sure how many will end up there, but at least you all van get a glimpse of what it’s like out here. 3 weeks isn’t a whole lot of time, but I’ll get a few good shots in.

I did get to add about 20 new photos to the Alaska 2011 photo gallery, so be sure to check that out.

A few years back, right here on this blog, I asked if taking pictures would get in the way of a beautiful scene. If the fact that I had a camera in my hand would cause me to not enjoy the very things I was trying to capture.

Now, at this stage in my life I’ve seen many photographers of varying degrees in my travels. By nature, i am a bit of a people watcher, so I’ve done my own type of case study. Some people take things to new levels of insanity all in the name of capturing a moment that they don’t even enjoy, but I would say most do not. In general, most photographers are not only there to capture a moment “on film” but also to live in that very moment. To enjoy, to feel the pain, or simply relax in the minutes that surround that moment. It is truly an intense feeling.

This also brings me to another phase of photography I am only just now starting to understand. Interpreting others pictures. That’s right, I said interpret. It’s one thing to look at a picture and say “Wow! That’s pretty!”, but it’s another thing to look at that picture and understand what it took to make an image that would do that to someone. Trying to envision he minutes before and after an image really is what tells the story and makes it interesting.

So, at this point in my case study I have to say that it is possible to both enjoy a moment and take photos of it. Having something to look back on can have a much bigger effect than just the second that was captured in a photo.

Please take a look by following The link to the right.

One of my main philosophies of parenting is to keep kids involved in everything that I do. Mainly I do this because I want them to be just like their dear old dad, but I also do it for the sake of enriching my kids lives. I’d hate for them to grow up with no skills or passion. If they do, it won’t be because I didn’t try.

Whenever I want to risk cameras and life, I let the kids go crazy with my point and shoot camera or the flip video cam. They both have turned out some very cool stuff, and some hilarious videos. Lately, I’ve been handing over the “big” camera to Mia and teaching her how to use it. At this point I’m setting it up for her and she is just in charge of the zoom and the shutter. Most of her pictures to this point have just been ok, but I’ve been teaching her about composition and she’s getting better with every shot. It won’t be long before she’s better than her dear old dad.

And Eli is more interested in it than Mia was at his age. I think (once again!) that I’m a very lucky dad. I just have to keep them interested and keep them in places that are good for all three of us. Oh, bummer.

Another emotion that’s been going through my mind is being away from my kids so much. I do get to spend some good quality time with them when I’m home, but the emotional stress of missing yet another birthday or Christmas can wear on my soul pretty heavy at times. I think that what makes the whole thing so difficult is that there are huge parts of me that need to be home with family, but there are equal parts that need to feel constant motion. I realized a long time ago that it’s not running. I have nothing to run from, no skeletons in my closet, and all is peaceful in my life for what may be the first time ever. I wonder if I’ll ever be able to remind myself that life is never easy. The grass is always greener, or so they say.
A funny realization did come to me today. That is, even though I am on a ship cruising hundreds of miles a day through some truly beautiful country, it’s still possible to feel confined. I’ve been almost to a stage of claustrophobia at points today, and had to step out onto the fantail several times for some fresh air. My tiny office/cabin and engine room just cannot offer the space I need right now. Looking back, it seems that maybe this has been the case for me in the past. It seems to come about halfway through my time aboard and hit me like a brick. Sometimes I can’t shake it for the rest of the ride. Others I can pull through and end up on a good note. I’d guess that I just need more practice.

The psychological aspect of this lifestyle is something else. It really does intrigue me. Why do I live like this? Why do so many others? I believe that every person has their place in life, and that I am in mine. I just don’t really understand why.

Getting back to my daughter, my kids and life I really do feel that my relationship is strong with both of my babies. They are growing to be strong people, with a different perspective on life, and maybe that is the gift that I give to them. I know that I’m gone a lot, but I also realize that when I’m with them I am teaching them that there are other things to life than what they get when they are with their mothers. I am in a situation to take them places to teach them and show them things, and I very often do. My kids have been more places and seen more culture in their short lives than many people ever do their whole entire lives. That’s not such a bad thing, right? In essence, they are getting a huge blend of knowing what home feels like, while also seeing what the world is really like. I do feel good about that.

So how will I recoup from losing this time in my daughter’s life? I’ll take the time we do have together and make the very most of it that I can. It’s all that I can do, I believe. Oh, and thanks for letting me vent about this….. I feel much better now.

Enjoy!