I have long been a fan of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. The snarky Calvin and lovable tiger are even hanging on my one-year-old’s bedroom wall. One of my favorite quotes from the strip is from August of 1988 when Calvin remarks to Hobbes at the end of summer: “There is never enough time to do all the nothing you want”.
Doing nothing is one of my favorite things to do. I have spent many days out in nature just wandering or sitting. There is something to be said for leaving behind technology and just enjoying nature. 
Most of the time I carry a camera with me regardless, of course. While I do enjoy my quiet time in nature I still enjoy being able to capture it. Many moments I don’t, but more often than not I can’t help but glance through my viewfinder and try to capture the more beautiful moments as they happen.
Ansel Adams once said, “A good photograph is knowing where to stand”. I have spent many of my “doing nothing” days simply figuring out where to stand. He also said, “There are two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.” In my years of shooting these beautiful mountains we call home I have dedicated countless hours to try and capture the true beauty of these places so that I can share them with you: the viewer. After all, I may enjoy looking back at the memories but being able to bring these scenes to you is one of my favorite things about photography.
So this upcoming week, while we celebrate our nation’s independence and the freedom to do the things we love (like hiking and unfiltered photography), be sure to take some time to do a little nothing. Heaven knows we need it.
I’ll see you on the trail….
