Marriage is hard?

Being a young adult in the age group where everyone I know is making big life changes like new careers, weddings, starting families, etc. is a time where everyone seems to have words of encouragement and advice.  The most common phrase I seem to hear is "marriage is hard". I've had the difficulties and struggles of marriage explained to me numerous times in my short life and I've come up with a significant and personal conclusion on the matter: I disagree. I feel that in my own life the one, easiest choice I've made was that of marrying Ben. I still feel to this day that the one huge part of my life that hasn't been difficult or complicated is my marriage with Ben. Since that day in Spain when he gave me butterflies I have never looked back or questioned my decision to be with him at all and I would still do anything to continue to be with him. Not to get all mushy on this blog but I feel that is an important prelude to this post.
Yes, for me, marriage has seemed easy, but that's not to say that life altogether has been simple. You see the problem is not time with Ben but time without him. I have so much fun with him and we both work so hard as a team to ensure ourselves a good, comfortable future together. The part where I struggle is the balance. I want nothing more than to run off into the sunset toward some great unknown adventure but I know that can't be. We both want to disappear into the woods and live a life of working hard and having fun together without the stresses and obligations of everyday life as we know it but that, too would be impractical. We are always trying to find a balance of work and fun of responsibility and spontaneity. Sometimes, we seem to have it figured out just right but then comes life throwing a small yet dramatic change to tip the scale to an unbalanced state of chaos and confusion.  The amazing thing about my forever partnership is that we are really good at sitting down and finding a way to balance it out again for both of us.
In summary, no, marriage itself is not work...life is work. Sometimes you just have to open your eyes and see that having that person beside you is actually in a big way the solution and the real problem lies inside yourself and how you are allowing yourself to perceive and react to various life circumstances. Don't let life change you, it's time to actively change your life instead.

The call....

The mountains seem to call me more and more each year. I am tied over in May, June and July with my bike, big white water, and the cast of the fly. 

 However come august the mountains begin calling, beckoning my presents. A longing, a ache, an indescribable urge comes over me and I start wishing, hoping, and praying for snow. Fall hikes are filled with “beta collection” for winter lines. My bike no longer becomes an escape but a means to train and prepare for the snow.

 It is the days between fall and winter that the majesty of the mountains is unveiled. As if every year she, mother nature, prepares herself for the rebirth.

 October brings sixty plus inches to pow mow with leaves still on the trees in town. The transformation over night is truly mystical.

I feel like the dreams of deep fresh snow tend to bring deep self reflection, thoughts of the why we are drawn to the mountains with such a strong conviction. The sense of connection. To be so far from anything and feel completely at home. There is no feeling quite like putting in that last turn on a ridge right before you come to the summit. The entire journey she whispered to you her story. Views rush into you as fast as the air rushes into your lungs from the top. The vastness of the white desolate world surrounding you is humbling.

As I grow older the connection I share with my mother nature grows stronger. With each adventure she provides me we grow closer our love for each other thrives. She never ceases to amaze with her beauty, pristine vistas, and awe striking power.

Please SNOW!

This ski season started out so bleak, spirits were low. The middle bowl triple was getting more use than ever and gear taking serious abuse from the 15 in. man made base. Denver and I decided that we needed something else to do. We did a few projects around the house and yard, but ultimately we decided that we needed something "else". Something that we have both been wanting to do for some time, photography was the answer to that question. It has been so fun to get out and "photographize" as we have nick named it. In some ways it changes the way we look at things, others it enhances them. Night shots have been some of the favorites to date. This new hobby pasted the time well and just in time for a 20 in. Day followed by a 26 in. Day. It was deep.