While perusing several other blogs which I follow, I noted one of the photographic bloggers was preparing a year in review post. I decided to do the same.
Going through all of my photos taken over the course of year gave me pause in which I realized that I had a really good year. Oh, of course I had ups and downs, but all in all, I had a great deal more ups than downs.
In February, I traveled to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse State Park â all in Utah. This was my first winter trip in many years (most of my trips are mainly during the late summer or fall seasons). During that time, I hiked up to Delicate Arch and had the entire area all to myself for a good 30+ minutes, and was also fortunate enough on the previous day to witness a magical snow fall in an otherwise arid region.
In early April, I had the pleasure of conducting a portfolio photo session for a stunningly beautiful belly dancer.
And in late April, I photographed the wedding of a former co-worker and her musician fiancee (who now has a jazz CD out on iTunes). The weather was perfect, the bride was stunning, the wedding went off without a hitch, and the day couldnât have been better â we all had a great time.
In July, I flew to Alaska for the first time in my life, spending a week with Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris in Katmai National Park and Preserve. There, I captured some fantastic photos of the awesome coastal brown bears as they fished for the salmon along the Brooks River. Prior to the trip to Katmai, I spent a few days just tooleying around the Anchorage area in a rental car, further cementing my desire to return in August 2014.
And I wasnât finished with July travel. Work required me to travel to London; this time, it was via Business Class, which is a heck of a lot sweeter than economy, believe me. In between work at the London office, I managed to do things in that great city that I had not been able to accomplish during a visit two years prior (tour the National Gallery, ride on the London Eye at night and purchase a ticket to see Spamalot).
In October, I flew to Maine and spent a week on Mount Desert Island where I captured the gloriously-saturated colors of autumn. Because this trip coincided with the government shutdown, I investigated Acadia National Park via biplane rather than hiking.
Starting on the 7th day of September, I helped my 88-year old mother hang 3 hummingbird feeders; throughout the month, I had the wonderful privilege of photographing the beauty and antics of the ruby-throated hummingbirds that made their annual migration through my part of southeast Texas. During those days and evenings of photography, I digitally captured hummingbird behavior that I had never witnessed before.
In November (well, actually, that last day of November and the first day of December), I spent the weekend with my friends The Merchant Prince and his Lady Michelle, photographing their food & beverage venues and some crazy characters out at the Texas Renaissance Festival.
In December, I managed to salvage enough vacation days for a 13-hour drive to Big Bend National Park, where I spent 4 full days in this incredible southwest Texas park. I was so taken with this place that I will be making the long drive back in late April 2014 for a weekâs stay.
And, throughout the year when not traveling far and wide, I have visited and photographed the nearby Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge as well as Brazos Bend State Park.
Things have gone well, workwise. My health has been good, as has the health of other members of my family.  I continue to contribute articles and photographs for the National Parks Traveler and my Facebook photography page has over 6000 Facebook Fans. 
Throughout the year, I got to do a lot of traveling and photography â the two things I love doing the most. I guess I could have eschewed many of the trips and bought the big honkinâ prime lens that Iâve been lusting after for a couple of years now. Instead, though, I chose to spend my discretionary income on traveling. An old ârockhoundâ friend of my parents once told us âYou canât take your stuff with you but you can take your experiences with youâ. I totally believe that. So, I opt for the travel experiences and thank my lucky stars for lensrentals.com 
Yes, there have been a few tough times, but not as many tough times as good times. Iâve got a roof over my head, food in my tummy, a good job, and my family. Itâs been a really good year.
I look forward to next year and hope that itâs as good as this year has been.
How has 2013 treated you?
Where The Trails Take You Photography 
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