Day 24

Day 24

It was a while before we could leave. Everyone was leaving the fair so it took a while to out. Once we did, we headed to Portland; which I pretty much just came from, but the experience at the fair was worth the drive and the back track. We got a hostel, pretty nice one too, close to downtown.  This was the first night that I have been in any sort of city. Well, Venice is “city”, but I literally drove to skate and drove out. This was my first night out on the town! I thought that I wouldn’t like it too much just because I have been outside and in nature for just about a month straight at this point, but I had a pretty good time.

We walked to a dim sum restaurant; it was horrible, not dim sum status… at all. But we all made due. The last time I went to a dim sum place was in Chinatown in LA, and that was The.Shit.  So I was a little let down, but not say that I didn’t stuff myself to where I was completely miserable. I’m not really picky, like I used to be, its got to be pretty bad for me not to eat it. I was in college once, ya know… and like every good college student, I ate like shit for a while. But I think everyone does in those years.

Annnyyywayyy, after that, we went to a video arcade bar. That was a blast, lots of Street Fighter, racing games, and Pacman for me.  I wished they had air hockey, that’s my favorite.  After that, two of our friends had a flight out in the morning headed back early. Ogden and I stayed out a little later. Apparently in Portland, strippers are very common? Yes, that’s right, they are common. They are randomly dancing in the corner of regular bars and restaurants. I still haven’t wrapped my mind around that one, but it is not necessarily looked down upon. So hey, I saw a few. It’s kind of sad to me to see them all lonely in the corner, dancing. It's not your typical movie strip joint where you see dirty men and dancers that are pole dancing, with extravogant lights everywhere, its one little stage, in a bar, with one little girl, who doesnt really look like they want to be there. They switch out between two girl all ngiht. Its so strange to me.  I’m wondering, “Do they get paid hourly, because they ain’t makin’ shit if they are working off tips.”  But I ask no questions, I just smile and nod and think,”Okkkkayyy, I’m just glad it’s not me.” At one point, Ogden leaned over and said to me and said. “How many of these girls do you think are paying for their college doing this?” Valid point. I knew a few girls that paid for their college like that.  It’s kind of twisted to think that you’re doing something so dirty to pay for something so clean… a good education. But is it clean? Sometimes I think about it and I kind of like the thought of paying off outrageous tuition fees and all of our school debt with bad money. I guess the thought of using the money that the government doesn’t want us to make, is paying for the education rape that they gave us. It makes me smile a little bit, an evil smile; kind of get back at them with their own game. ;) 

Enough of my random rants—last stop for the night was Voodoo Donuts, a popular Portland stop. They have every kind of donut you can imagine—and they are damn good.  Dangerous good. I felt like glutton eating it. Chocolate iced with Oreos on top with peanut butter drizzled on top. Yes, it was amazing.  After that we walked the 15 blocks or so back to our hostel, I was pretty beat.

Day 23

We stayed up late last night at the bon fire. It was such great time hanging out with everyone. One of the many reasons why shooting a wedding of a friend is awesome, you get to hang out and relax with everyone after.  

Foggy morning on Cannon Beach

   This morning we took a hike to the beach and then drove to Ecola State Park, horrible name, beautiful place. It is just so lush here. I don’t understand it. I mean, I do, but you get my drift. I’m not used to it being from Texas.  Our beautiful lush hike led right to the beach; it was about a mile or so. We came out where sand dunes might be, but it was a mountain instead… or a hill, however you want to look at it- but when we got to the end we were looking straight out onto the ocean. The beach was pretty busy for how foggy it was, but not in the way that I imagine a beach to be packed. There are tents set up all along the edge of the mountain that we hiked from. People are in jeans and hoodies. The only people in the water are the surfers in wet suits. (It looked like my kind of day, little baby waves that are perfect for a long board.)  There are a lot of Frisbees being flown and long walks up and down the shoreline. Not quite like the beach that I am used to: hot, sunny, bikini wearing babes, sand castles being built and screaming kids in the water. The fog is so thick here that you can see all the particles in the air.  You can see it blow in from the ocean. It is pretty neat to watch as the visibility in front of you get lower and lower.  We also saw an Elk at the end of our hike- neato! 

The hike to the beach in Ecola State Park 

Abi and Cory's Crew

 After our hike, we all headed back to our houses that we stayed at for the weekend. I did my laundry and showered—the two key things to do when you have the chance! After gathering my things together and packing my car, I went to have dinner with Abi and some close friends and family. I had a great chicken pot pie. Perfect for the chilly day.  After dinner I headed to Eugene to go meet up with my friend, Ogden, at the Oregon Country Fair. I drove for about four hours. Not a smart move to eat a delicious huge meal and then hit the road, I got tired for sure. Abi and her crew were all going back to the house to watch the Goonies, since the wedding was in the same spot as where the movie was filmed. As I was driving down to meet Ogden, I was thinking how awesome it would be to curled up on a couch watching the Goonies.

   When I finally got to the fair, I called to have Ogden come meet me. He put his friend on the phone and told me when I got to the checkpoint to say I’m picking up a member of a band. It supposed to be sort of top secret to get in the country fair. It has been going on at the same spot for some 50 years now, invite only. They guy at the checkpoint knew I was bull shitting, but he let me in anyway. It was the last night so I’m sure that he didn’t care at this point, he smiled and waved me through. Although it was the last night, there was still a lot going on! There are camps everywhere. All of the booths that are set up are built out of wood and have been specially made over the years. Ogden took me on a quick tour of the place.  First stop was the campfire, which all of the musicians from the fair gather after hours to take turns playing. Were talking some 40+ people. I heard some beautiful songs there. It’s amazing what can come out of instruments and voice boxes. I have always wanted to be able to sing, but it is something that I have come to terms with.

Oregon is so lush! 

   From there, he took me to the sauna, I had no idea what to expect. It was pretty amazing, when you walk in you undress and put your clothes in a cubbyhole.  It was a little bit of an adrenaline rush taking off my clothes, but when you look around and there are about 100 nakey people around you, it's nothing. There were all shapes and sizes… It was quite beautiful. 

   When you look to the right there are about twenty open showers that people are showering at. From there, look to the left and take two steps down and there is a big fire pit to warm up by- this is all open to the night sky, mind you. Also, while all of this is going on, right in front of the fire pit, there is a live band playing for everyone. It was a special and unique site to see. The band was really good too- I can’t remember the name though.  Ogden, yelled to the band in between songs, "If you get nervous, just imagine the crowd naked!" Laughter bust out breaking the silence. "Good one, Oggy." 

The beach at the end of the trail<3 p="">

   There is also a huge sauna. You have to rinse off in the shower before you get in the sauna. It is heated by people working in shifts who cut and throw wood into the huge stove- I think that is the right word for it, like a huge wood burning stove.  When you walk in the sauna, it is eight tiered and four sections long. It held maybe 50 people? It was a lot. The higher you go, the hotter. I couldn’t take the top three, too much for me! But it felt great to sweat like I did. People were singing and laughing, some were quite, just talking it in. 

  From there we got dressed and walked around the fairgrounds and made it back to camp.

  All in all I’d say it was worth the drive for the experience although I was thinking I should have stayed, because I was tired. 

Day 22

Wedding day! Whew! I still get nervous at weddings.  So much to do and so much to capture with one person shooting. I don’t feel quite as nervous when I have my partner Letitia with me.  Gotta love a partner in crime!

                       

Just look at that happiness!

I was up around 7 but lay there until about 9. I had already seen where the wedding was going to be and I didn’t have to shoot until about 1:30. So I made sure all my cameras were charged and all my sim cards were empty. Abi shoots a D800 as well, so I used both cameras with different lenses. That was so nice! It will probably be a while before I can buy a second body, but it will be nice when I can!

The day was pretty stress free. They are all easy-going people.  Abi and Cory are such a great couple! Wow, two of the coolest, chill, smart, beautiful, women coming together; I just love it.  They really set the bar of a same sex wedding.  I was so proud to shoot this special moment, in history, really. Oregon is one of the few states that allow same sex marriage.  It was so flawless and natural.  The joy in my heart is overflowing.

I followed Abi to her sisters place where she was to get ready for the big moment.  While Milly, her sister, did her hair and makeup, she sang to calm the nerves. She has such a beautiful voice. I was tearing up from all the emotions behind the camera, But shhh, don’t tell. Gahh, I’m such a sucker for happy moments! I took some video also. I want to learn more about that. I am so intrigued with video!

I split the time between the two so I could capture both of the girls getting ready. Cory was putting on her dress when I got there. After all the weddings I’ve shot, there is something special when a bride puts on her dress.  Its funny, because I’m not for material things so much, but when a bride puts on her dress, it’s almost like she’s putting on her identity. That is kind of strange when you think about it, but I feel that it’s true. A bride spends days, weeks or months looking for the perfect dress that she feels fits her the best, physically and mentally.  I think it’s an interesting concept of our American culture that will probably never change.

They had such a great crew! 

 Finally the big moment came. It was a lovely set up on the beach. About 70 people made it out to Cannon Beach, Oregon. That’s a lot for a location wedding!  The weather had been overcast and foggy for days, and I kid you not, the sun came out for the ceremony. I mean days of foggy, cold weather and about an hour before the ceremony, the sun was beaming and beautiful. As soon as we got to the reception, overcast. Love it.  It was such a perfect day. No stress, all love.

Day 19, 20, and 21

Day 19.

Not sure why I like this photo so much- I think bc it was an accident. And yes, that's a Yellow Belly

Talk about a lazy day. I woke up in my new temporary home and made some oatmeal. I picked fresh strawberries and blueberries in the garden to put in there. Warm strawberries are the best, all of their goodness comes outJ 

 What can I say.. I just rode the four-wheeler around and played in the river. I did absolutely nothing productive except make sure my debit card was going to come in tomorrow. I made some dinner for everyone and we had some beers next to the campfire, and bed it was.

                        

Day  20.

I woke up early with the intention of getting out of there early, but come to find out, the place where my card was sent doesn’t come until three. So I waited around and played in the woods some.  I went into town and waited at the farmers market for the card to come. I was almost 4 by now and I had a nine-hour drive to go, I didn’t want to be driving all night again.  So I decided to have my friend mail it to me at the wedding I was shooting, because I didn’t want to be late. I started to leave town, and of course it came in, so I turned around to get it.

I drove until about 11pm. I couldn’t hack it any longer. I don’t know what it is about driving at night, but I cannot do it. I fall asleep even if I’m not tired. I found a chill little motel in a small town off the 101.  That drive is so beautiful. It is so green and luscious. I love it! The trees are extremely tall and the sun shines through them like nothing you have ever seen before. I think I have a few pictures that show what I mean, that I can show later. At times I feel that your true eye is the only thing that can capture something at its highest beauty.

Oregon Coastline

I can't even describe the beautiful yellow sunlight shining through the trees, hitting the green moss on the trunks making them glow this indescribable yellow-green glow. I think that it is one of my most favorite things in the world… almost. In these forests up here, there is a glow that the sun puts off as it hits certain trees and branches and not others that is so wholesome. Im not sure how sunlight can be wholesome, but that is the word that comes to mind when I see it. Pure. Perfect. Warm.

Alright.. until tomorrow.

Day 21.

 I got up and wrote some for my blog. I posted, but from days before. I seriously have had no interwebs for days and days, just my phone.  I’m writing my days down, but I cant upload my photos or words, so sorry about that. I have had some people ask me if my adventure was over. I don’t think the adventure is ever over, there is always something going on, right?! The adventure isn’t ending until I am published.. and then it will be the beginning of a new, so no, its not over yet. It may take me the whole 18 months to make it happen, but it’s going to happen.

As I was driving North to get there, I saw a hitchhiker that had a sign that said Florence, that was the town I was aiming to make it to last night, but I was too tired. It was a good hour and a half up the road.  He looked young like me. I wanted to pick him up. There were numerous hitchhikers along the way that I wanted to pick up but they were always couples, and I have no room for two people and their packs. I passed this one up at first, and then I felt guilty. I remember a friend had a hitchhiking trip and he said it is so hard to find someone that will pick you up. So I turned around and got him.

Naturally I was ready for anything so put my 38 special in between the drivers side door and my seat, loaded.   

He was actually quite attractive. Curly blonde hair and blue eyes, young face. 

‘Hi there!” I say as he gets in the car.

“Hi, thanks so much for picking me up. My names Sam.”

“Deleigh”

“De-Leigh?”

“Deleigh, like delete with out the T. “

“Oh, got cha okay, interesting name. “

“Thanks, I get that a lot.” I say with a smile.

I asked him what his story was. He was from Tulsa and he rode his bike from there to Oregon in a course of six months. He got an apprenticeship at company that makes cob houses and made his way up Oregon, I think he has been there for almost a year. On this day,  he was on his way to a workshop in Eugene, OR for building cob houses. So that is why he was hitchhiking, he said that hitching a ride was faster than riding his bike. Im sure it would have taken a few days to ride. 

He asked me what my story was. I told him I was a photographer who quit and sold everything trying to make something happen.

“Did you go to photo school?”

“Yes, at Texas State in San Marcos, TX”

“Oh I’ve been there! The river is beautiful there.”

“It is quite magical, huh. “

“Yes. Hey do you know someone named Tony Sipes?”

“I know a Topher Sipes.”

“That’s it! Topher!”

“Yes! I know him! What?? Man, what a small world. I went to school with him.”

“Ya, he came to Tulsa and stayed with me while he had an exhibit up there.”

First view of the ocean ... it was a good one! 

Mind Blown.  Really? … really??! I mean to tell ya, I am thousands of miles away from San Marcos, I end up not being able to make it to Florence which allows me to even see Sam the next day, then I pass this guy up and turn back around, and then he knows someone I know? Small world… I love it, I just love it! The freaking universe and all of its awesomeness!  When we got to Florence I dropped him off on the road heading east to Eugene. He gave be a pretty stone that he found for a thank you.  I put it in my coin holder where it will stay.  I gave him a hug and said goodbye. About two miles down the road, I yell, “Shit!” No picture! Damnit, what kind of photographer am I? I just got so caught up in our great conversation that I didn’t even think about it. He got out and that was it. I guess, that was just meant to be in my head. Maybe well cross paths again some day.

I drove from about 11 to 5 and made it to Canon beach right on time. I was to be there at 6 for the rehearsal dinner.The wedding I was shooting is a family that I have known for a while. I met Bob in the dorms in college at Texas State. He moved away but I knew his sister, Milly, from when she would come visit him, she lives in Austin. We connected and started hanging out. Then their older sister, Abi, was at the house and we met.  She is into photo so we talked photo one night forever and we became friends. So, I have this awesome sort of separate friendship with the whole family.  I love it. They are all amazing and a good-hearted family.  Abi and I talked a lot about photo after that. She ended up asking if I would shoot her wedding. I was so pleased to do so! It’s easy to shoot a wedding that is for someone you care for.  I mean it’s busy and crazy of course, but fun!

After the rehearsal, we had amazing pizza delivered and then went to the beach and had a little bon fire. It was nice. But I was out of there early.. Well, kind of. Haha. I pitched my tent in the back yard.. it was pretty awesome there on the ferns. It was super cozy. I loved it actually. Abi’s cousin gerrid, couldn’t believe that I was sleeping out there, he insisted that I have more blankets and pillows. So he rushes in the house and gets me a blanket to sleep on and some pillows. What a sweet heart! I can’t lie, it did make it even more cozy than it was!  Thanks! Okay off to bed.. lots to do tomorrow.

Oregon's beautiful Highways