Hi ,

We're only a couple more days away from closing out the year. It's a bit hard to believe that 2025 is nearly over, although when I look back at all that happened this past year, I'm a little surprised that I was able to cram it all in!

2025 was indeed a big year of transition for me. In addition to increased travel across 11 out of the 12 months, and visiting places that had been on my list for many years, including New Zealand, Barcelona and England, my life saw some truly momentous events, new friends, and a veritable revolving door of vehicles.

In February. I acquired a 2006 Honda Element, affectionately known as "The Bike Box," the "Mobile Man Room" and the "Desert-cation Mobile." Currently parked in Las Vegas, I enjoyed two mountain bike road trips in it this past year, and look forward to more adventures with it in the lower 48 in 2026.

In September, I sadly had to let go of my beloved little yellow Cessna, which had been damaged in a windstorm last January. 31O2N is in other hands now, and hopefully she will be restored and continue flying, but for now, I can look back on my amazing 14 years adventuring with her and shooting countless aerial mountain photos.

Later this fall, I also upgraded my Alaska car, trading in my old Subaru Forester for a Toyota RAV4, and and that same week, donated my venerable 1989 Toyota pickup to Vehicles to Veterans. Having been my faithful adventure photography and outdoor rig for over 25 years, that was another emotional parting, since so many of my early landscapes and adventure sports images were created with the use of that old Toyota, including these shots below. 

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Of course, the other big thing that happened in 2025, was that I began a very fun and rewarding journey of sketching and watercolors. I'd long been a frustrated travel sketcher, but for some reason, when I decided to try adding in the painting part, the whole thing clicked for me and I've been on a roll ever since. 

With a 30+ year head start on color and composition, it's been interesting to discover the similarities and differences between photography and painting, especially with regard to the concepts of looking, seeing and abbreviation. 

I currently find myself in a space where I'm shift back and forth between trying to improve my technique, and trying to be loose and abbreviative with my sketches, which is similar to how I like to shoot. I feel there's a parallel with this approach in photography when you walk that line between utilizing your skills and technique, and experimenting with pure creative expression. 

I look forward to seeing how this all keeps playing out for me with these two visual crafts.

Finally, I was really excited to finally write and record some new music this year! It had been awhile, but I released three new songs in 2025. You never know when creative lightning will strike, but as with any creative outlet, rather than sit and wait for it to happen, it's much better to keep practicing and plugging ahead with constant effort, even if you think the end result is "good" or not. 

This is ultimately what matters; doing the steady work and getting lost in the enjoyment of the process. The results will come, but it's the pleasure of the activity that is what drives us in the most rewarding way.

I hope that when you look back at 2025, you see an exciting account of creativity, productivity, new experiences, and of course, good health and lots of good cheer.

I'm forever grateful that you continue to let me be a part of your photography journey, and I look forward to sharing more insight with you in the coming year. 

Until then, take care, be well, Happy New Year, thanks for your support, and we'll talk again in 2026!