Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

 This week I got away for two days and a night, I know it doesn't sound like much but it's all the time I could take away from my business.  Still, it was worth it!  I had been hesitant to go out of town with Covid everywhere, and people acting nuts, but I decided to do it anyway, it had been two years since I even did an over-nighter anywhere.  I did wait till after the last holiday and kids were back in school at least.  Most of the tourists that visit here are gone by October, which is my favorite time of year to travel anyway.  It's Fall, it's cool, it's colorful, and it's wild out on the coast.

Lake Crescent

Ruby Beach

Beach 4

 
I decided to drive the whole loop of the Olympic Peninsula - in two days.  Most of the trip was done the first day and I did feel a bit rushed but wow, what a great feeling to get out of my comfort zone and see something new!  Trees and rivers and wildlife, oh my!  

I went north from my place on the Hood Canal on 101 up through Sequim, Port Angeles, through gorgeous Crescent Lake and over to Forks.  From there it's pretty desolate and wild but in about 30 minutes there is the ocean! 
Ruby Beach was first on the list, surprisingly crowded for October, but it was sunny and 60 degrees.  I decided to go to Beach 4, luckily only a few folks there.  The tide was coming in and the waves were big and dramatic.  The outgoing surf made a really cool gurgling roar over the beach rocks, fascinating!  I got some video but it just isn't the same as live.
I sat there a while and watched the waves, contemplating my life and my place in the world.  I felt small compared to this majestic ocean, but still valuable and connected.  I knew at that moment that I could do anything I set my mind to.  There weren't any bolts of lightening or burning bushes but the message was clear. 

I think it's important to get out of your immediate surroundings once in a while and experience something completely different.  Unplug from your devices, drive out in the country, go all day or for several days, someplace a bit unfamiliar or at least a place you love and haven't been to for a while. Go alone, no distractions.  

Be open to whatever messages you might get, however subtle, but don't over think it.  I really didn't think about my regular life at all while I was gone, it was a perfect anecdote to my day to day routine.  I did take my phone but no other devices.  I only checked in a couple times a day.  I took a lot of photos and videos with it though, and here's the kicker - I hardly took any real photos with my camera!  That was another decision I made early on - this wasn't a shooting trip.

 By the time I got to my cabin rental it was early evening.  I enjoyed a small meal of foods I brought with me and watched the sun go behind the clouds just before the horizon, so no real sunset, but it was still beautiful. 
The wind blew and it rained overnight, kind of fun actually.  It cleared before I left in the morning and the rest of the day was spent driving home, but not before stopping in the little community of Ocean Shores for some shopping and a drive out to Damon Point.  A latte and a cookie after that and off I went home with a brand new attitude.

So if you're in a bit of a rut, and you're nervous about getting out, just take your hand sanitizer, wipes and mask, and do it anyway.  You won't regret it!  I hope it inspires you as much as it did me.  I came home and began making lists of things I'll be changing - things I'll do less of and things I'll do more of.  the goal here is - more joy, less stress! 

Till next time - keep creating!

The Annual Coast Trip

Cutting it close this year, didn't get out there till October 22, but the weather was fantastic this month so I booked my favorite condo in Mocilps.

The day I headed out there was some kind of rainstorm hitting the whole area.  It was sideways rain all the way out.  I stopped in Ocean Shores and drove out to Damon Point hoping for some shots there, but I couldn't even hold myself up it was so windy!
Aborting that idea, I got some clam chowder at Mike's, did a little shopping and then drove up to Moclips to settle in.

I was beginning to think my plan was a bust as the wind howled and the rain blew all night against the condo, but when morning came it was clear and sunny!
I was once again inspired and left early to drive up around the Quinault reservation to my favorite beaches.

About an hour and a half through fantastic tall tree forests and long, big wide rivers, the highway opens up and there's the coast!  I drove on up to Ruby first - to beat the crowd.

When I arrived at 8:30am there were already a few cars.  A gal in a cool mini cargo van was brushing her teeth, camping I presumed.  Intrigued with her rig I asked how she liked it and she showed me the inside.  Although just a cargo van, she had it rigged for camping with sleeping area and organized containers.  Made me think of my days in my old 69 VW camper bus.

I headed down to the water with only two lenses, bold move I know, but I figured I could return to the car if more were needed.

The previous days storm had left a massive amount of debris on the beach.  Not the usual "pretty" driftwood either, this was more of a collection of fresh trees, seaweed and anything else the water could catch.
The tide wasn't out very far either, so big wide shots weren't going to look near as good or even possible, except from down a ways.

Here are some of my final shots of Ruby Beach.

Next stop was Beach 4.  Probably my favorite for privacy but this day it was deserted, lol.  I was the only one there!
It's a long trek down to the beach and the previous days rain had really filled the creek that was crashing down along the trail headed out to the ocean.  What a fantastic sound!

It was a little cold and windy but the view was amazing.  I sat there on the rocks for a long time just listening to the sound of the wind.  It "rolled" down the beach with a loud roar, wow.

Here are some shots from there along with the trail.

Upon my return to Moclips I realized the conditions were perfect to finally get some shots of an old metal building I'd been admiring every time I go out there.

Many more images are available on the Fine Art Prints page here on the blog at https://jenigraybydesign.blogspot.com/p/fine-art-prints.html or go to my website at www.jenigrayphotography.com .
And as always, if you're on Instagram let's hook up @jenigray_by_design .

Photo Trip to Port Angeles

Eager to take the new gear out for more photos, I headed north up highway 101 to Port Angeles.  I couldn't resist a stop at the Sequim sunny Farms store en route, however, as it has the best produce and local honey!

This trip was a first for me.  I know, I've lived on this peninsula for over 25 years, but going out on back roads is not usually my style.  It's just like they say, get off the main road!  See the sights along the less traveled areas.

My main attraction was the Salt Creek area, on the northern most end of the Olympic Peninsula which views the body of water called the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  Not the ocean exactly, but close.  You can look across that body of water and see Vancouver island.

The images from this trip took three stops.  Salt Creek park, a lookout area and the actual beach.
These are the only two black and whites from that area.

This one was from the waterfront of the campground.

This is on the beach at Salt Creek itself.  The tide was coming in fast so I didn't have any more time than to snap about three shots and get back around the bend before the water filled the cove.

The campground there is delightful, I must visit again.

Near this area I found a road that lead me to some old bunkers you could actually drive through!  I enjoyed taking pictures here, and even encountered an apparition, although I didn't know it until I uploaded the photos to my computer.
This place was a little dark, quiet and I was there alone, not my favorite combination but it didn't really feel scary, just empty.

Here are the shots from the bunkers.

If you zoom in on the above image and look near the ground on the right, you'll see an odd shaped spherical object.

 If you enjoy black and white fine art photography in your home or office, please visit the Fine Art Prints page here on the blog at https://jenigraybydesign.blogspot.com/p/fine-art-prints.html or my website directly:  www.jenigrayphotography.com .
If you're on Instagram, fine me @jenigray_by_design .