Here's to You

I was fortunate to have met Vanessa Aadland last season and be able to be around her amazing energy for a couple shoots and just hanging out in general. Early this season, we were starting our preseason hike from alta and from no where we see the big smile of Vanessa stoked to be out and ready to ski. She joined up with us on the hike for some early season snow and it was nice to have such a positive person around. Below are the shots from that day. Unfortunately only a couple weeks later she broke her back skiing. With time Vanessa will recover to send herself off huge cliffs and spread her amazing zealous for life in the mountains. Send your good energy and Get well soon Vanessa!!!

Maryland Architecture

Although my intended purpose for visiting Maryland was for pleasure, I couldn't help fitting in some business. Below are some samples of the architecture Maryland has to offer.

The new addition to Coppin State, this  physical education complex has state of the art facilities for the students.

The long awaited edition to the Towson Town Center added several businesses giving this sometimes overlooked mall a much needed revitalization.

Towson University's Center for the Arts

Towson University's Center for the Arts

Maryland Part 2

Later on my trip to Maryland, I was fortunate enough to get out on the Chesapeake Bay and fish for some Rock fish with my brother. It was a different way to locate the fish, searching for seagulls and other birds diving into the water. The Rock fish work together to push schools of bait fish to the surface for an easy snack, which the birds take full advantage of.

About to set sail on the Chesapeake Bay

A tug boat pulling your next pair of shoes.

Just follow the birds and you'll find the fish.

A nice Rock fish caught by my brother Todd.

I accidentally wrapped my line around this seagull when I was casting. Fortunately the hook didn't get him, we just had to untangle line from its wings. It was an unexpected catch for sure.

Great day on the Chesapeake with my brother.

The bay bridge. So many memories going over this as a kid.

My nephew Grayson loves crabs

Its not a real trip to Maryland without some crabs. These were caught that morning and steamed minutes before we ate them.

Maryland Pt. 1

My quest to run my first marathon brought me to Maryland where my sister would join me to run in the Marine Corp Marathon. This was definitely one of the hardest physical tests that I have had to face, but it was also very rewarding. With 18 weeks of training and hundreds of miles run got me physically ready to reach my goal.

This is my sister and I at mile 10, only 16.2 more to go.....

The timing couldn't have been better as the leaves were changing and the weather was perfect. I had wanted to fish the Gunpowder River and this gave me a great excuse to bring my gear back. I grew up around this river, but I was never really into fly fishing so it was neat to view it in a different light. I only saw one other angler, which is quite different from my home river the Provo River. It seemed weird to me that I saw much less people in a much more populated state.

I was even fortunate enough to catch a couple fish. Thanks to Backwater Angler for some inside tips on what patterns were working and where the good spots were to fish.

I always love going back east during the fall season to see all the leaves everywhere. Everything from the smells, the colors and the temperatures bring back such good memories.

On the drive to the Gunpowder, all these old buildings were along the side of the road. I really liked the building on the left with all the different colors and textures. I imagined each piece was added throughout the years as weather and age slowly deteriorated it.