Awakening
It had been raining a lot and when I arrived what I had feared became a reality; the rivers were far too full and muddy to get a good waterfall shot. The shot I had gone there for was not going to happen.
The area being far too beautiful, I was still in high spirits as snow softly started to fall. My cousin Seth and I sat there and weighed out our options as for where to sleep that night. There were a few good hours of daylight left so we kept on down the road.
Rolling into a town that evening we stayed where I do quite often, the back of a grocery store parking lot (after asking permission).
The following morning came and it was wicked cold and simply beautiful out! I was just happy to be on the road again!
We hopped into the front of the van and took off down the road! The sun started to come up and the sunrise was absolutely stunning! Not having had time to scout the area the night before, I pulled off to the side of the road and took a quick phone picture thinking that would be the best I could get.
As I pulled off I noticed a little red barn off in the distance. I hit the gas and went for it. I knew that peak color was going to happen in the next few minutes and I was hoping to make it in time.
I pulled off the road and grabbed my gear leaving the side van door open. Jumping down into the ditch, my feet broke through ice and sank into the frigid water. I felt alive.
For the next five minutes I shot from every angle I could think would be good. When the sun broke the horizon, I was done and my favorite shot from that morning was one of the first I took, not uncommon.
Seth and I heated some water and had hot coffee and oatmeal to celebrate such a wonderful morning on that apple tree lined dirt road! A wonderful first morning to an amazing trip!