{Local Events} Montague Balloon Fair

This past weekend was the Montague Rotary Balloon Fair. It's one of our favorite local events. We make it a point to attend every year, it's like a little family tradition for the past 6 years. Normally we do an early morning, watch the balloons go up, do breakfast (usually at my mom's), just hang out for a bit until the parade that runs downtown.
This year it was pretty much the same except I left my husband home alone to gather up the kids & head into Montague & I was with my aunt and grandpa. My favorite part of the morning is when the sun starts breaking over the hills & casting it's beautiful orange-y glow on everything. The other thing special for this year was that we built a float for Amanda Pratt Photography & entered the parade. It was a super fun thing for the kids. Our float was a prize winner as well.

The ascension starts of with a single balloon, carrying the American flag as the national anthem is sung.

 Then it's mass chaos of filling balloons, fans & people.

The kids graciously (errr, more like forced) posed for a quick photo together.

This year it seemed the wind was drifting a different direction & I could get Mt Shasta in the photos without doing too much traveling from the launch site.

Here is our float in all of it's before/after the parade, windy Montague afternoon glory.

Have a great day!

{Western Lifestyle} A time to sort & send off

I've spent this year working on growing. I did a post about this near the first part of the year. My plan & focus for the year is "Growth"; be it for business, skill, creativity or relationships, etc, it pretty much pulls in every aspect of this life. One of the things I'm doing more of this year is shooting for me. No 'rules', no time limits, no pressure, just shooting what I love.

One of my all time favorite things is the 'western lifestyle'.  I'm working on adding more of that to my portfolio, thankfully, I can pretty much go anywhere in this county and be exposed to that.  Even more than that, is I can go to my teenage "home" and live it, up close & first hand. 

A couple weeks ago, I got up nice & early to head out to the house for a morning of cattle sorting. It was a beautiful morning, the rising sun, much like the setting sun creates gorgeous light. ♥   Here are a few images from that little adventure, starting with the beautiful rising sun. 

 Mr Rowdy, sharing his "Jet-A Fueled" breakfast with Sally, the 'cow dog' (or so she thinks, she's slightly senile in her old age)

 Even the star-thistle & fox-tail looks gorgeous at slightly before 7 a.m.

The calm before the storm.

 And here they come...

One of my favorite shots.

Everyone getting settled.

 In the alley, waiting for the 'in' or 'by' call.

Thankfully, these little 'friends' stayed put while we were out & about.

Doctoring.

 Important tool.

Such a fabulous morning. Excited & ready for the next adventure as well. 

{Real Life} Air Tankers & Helicopters

Summer just wouldn't be summer without seeing some Air Tankers & Helicopters. We are fortunate to live in a wonderful, beautiful, rural area where we can just go out to the base & watch them fly.
Here's a quick peek from yesterday evening.

Have a great Thursday evening. I'm off to photograph a beautiful mother & daughter, for a sunset session.

{Event} Ride In The Light

A couple weekends back I was honored to be one of the photographers for "Ride In The Light", a Christian motorcycle rally. It was a lot of fun. A place where two worlds collide in one place glorifying the name of the Lord.

Friday night kicked off the rally, where bikers got to head to Miner Street park to enjoy one of the summer's Concert In the Park concerts. After the concert they headed out of town for a twilight ride.  Saturday morning, more registration & the Poker Run, which toured through the south end of the county this year.

Most of my time on Saturday was spent at the Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds capturing events that were going on there. There was a wheelchair parade, car show, & vendors. Once the riders returned from the run, they had some bike games. The evening was spent listening to music  by 2 great artists, Truth Be Told Band and Bryan Duncan, dancing & fellowship.

Early Sunday morning the riders took a "SONlight" ride out through the Little Shasta Valley, soaking up some of that beautiful country air. Followed by "Biker Church" in the midway, with more worship music & a great message from Ron Heagy, a quadriplegic inspirational speaker. After worship, there were bike blessings & everyone went on their way, uplifted & ready to face another week.

I am excited to go back again next year. It was truly a blessing to be a part of this great, growing event.

You can find them on Facebook HERE > RIDE IN THE LIGHT <