We met Hannah & Collin two over a plate of Pad Thai after a week of backpacking and climbing all over Zion National Park. They found out we were going to be in Zion near the same time they were planning their trip to visit all five of Utah's National Parks, so we stayed an extra day to take some engagement photos with them. Over dinner, we nearly spat rice noodles out our noses from laughing so much at all of Hannah & Collin's stories and jokes. These two can't stop smiling when they're together and the joy they bring to each other's lives is so apparent (and SO entertaining to watch).

Mandy & Corey told me that their favorite national park they’d visited was Joshua Tree National Park, and I knew exactly where to suggest for their Colorado elopement. I sent them a few photos of Great Sand Dunes National Park and their response was sweeter than I could’ve expected. Mandy said she cried seeing the photos, knowing it was a perfect spot for them to say their vows. A mix of desert sand dunes and snow-capped peaks, Great Sand Dunes sits at the base of the snowy & prominent Sangre De Cristo mountains, a perplexing landscape even for the most well-traveled person. Its a truly unique place that remains sort of a well-kept secret in Colorado because of its distance from the major resort towns. For the person who wants a truly wild & secluded experience for their wedding, this spot is ideal. 

When I think back on our time in Patagonia, I keep coming back to this one memory. When we drove into El Chaltén from El Calafate, Argentina we could see a series of rugged hills & mountains ahead, but we couldn't see the Fitz range as it was hidden behind clouds. That day we got glimpses here and there of Poincenot (the spire next to Fitz) peeking out from the clouds, and it was unbelievably huge. It was hard to believe there was a larger peak than that. The next day, the clouds cleared and we got our first view of the Fitz Roy. I've never seen a mountain that demands so much attention & respect. It literally took my breath away.

We drove over Independence Pass on last day it was open before closing for the winter. We woke up before the sun in order to give ourselves plenty of time to make it to Aspen before the incoming snowstorm might prevent us from getting over the windy mountain road. Kaitlin & Eason were in town for the weekend and wanted some photos to announce their engagement to their friends and family, so we met them in one of our favorite places to explore and take photos.

While in Patagonia we stayed in El Chalten with some of our close frineds, and on a clear day we went and had a fun adventure session at the base of Fitz Roy.

It is so difficult to wrap up a trip that contained so much—a week spent in a tiny port town, 8 days backpacking through one of the most beautiful places on earth, a few days in a small climbing town in Argentina, three days backpacking at the base of Fitz Roy and hanging out with some of the most creative & inspiring friends. We've barely been home a week, so I’m sure in the months to come I will draw more from this trip than I even realize right now.