2008 "significant moments"

As I was building the previous post and trying to select for the 'best' most 'representative' shots of 2008 I ran across several that have special meaning for me. Not because they are particularly good shots... more for the brain jog they gave me in remembering or appreciating the year gone by. So this post is mostly for me... hopefully you had a few significant moments to cherish from 2008 also.

Shannon hates to have her picture taken and she'll probably be pissed I posted this one but it's actually the first shot of her I've shown so far so it's not like I'm being excessive. Anyway... significant on many fronts. The four of us actually all took a vacation together (Costa Rica) and got away from phones etc and had a really good time together. To suggest that this is rare would be an understatement... Our focus has been (and really still is for the most part) so much about family and molding the characters involved that moments like this where you get a payoff are worth noting. And I should take this time also to thank Shannon for organizing this trip... you are the best!

Brothers having a little competition to see who could stand in the frigid waters of Lake of the Falls the longest. 'Bonding' is a cliché but with no phones, ipods etc these moments seem to be much more significant than they used to be.

How do I sum up this one? I guess I won't. This little Arnica flower reminds me of a decision I made on the trail that day. (I told you this post is all about me.)

I didn't say much about this shot when I first posted, it was at the end of my last visit to the family farm before it was sold. I won't say much more at this time in this venue ... suffice to say there are many memories tied up this one frame.

This is Eric on Cascade overlooking Banff. He's a busy kid... school or work, sports, girls (or more correctly at the moment one in particular) so getting his undivided attention for a day of scrambling was significant.

"Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be landscapers" If all Mike got from me is the ability to put in a honest days work then my work here is done... although I'd like to think I had a little more input than that.

This shot is from the end of my fall road trip to Saskatchewan. (not sure if I prefer the color or b&w rendering) At the time I left I was feeling a little burned out and 'scattered'. As I was taking this series of shots I noticed the mountains on the skyline and it felt like home. Now this is still many miles from 'home' but we settled in High River with no real plan really. I guess over the years this part of the world has become home to me.

Well that was more cathartic than I expected... hope you enjoyed the trip. Now bring on 2009!!!