Momentum… For me this word has many meanings, as a passing glimpse of something interesting will turn into an idea and gain momentum, normally until I see the next ‘shiny thing’ …. Today Momentum takes me in reverse as I ride the rails on my way to Portland, OR, catching new perspectives on a drive I’ve enjoyed a dozen or more times over. Deep in the Columbia River Gorge, in and out of tunnels that have only been seen from the hwy across the river, as I glance back to the point where ‘Momentum’ was first photographed. Nearly a year ago, at nearly this same point on the Columbia, I pulled my truck off the road, jumped out, camera in hand, strolled down over the RR tracks, and closer to the rivers shore. All of this to photograph a barge gliding down the river…. The eery darkness of an early spring day laiden damp with rain, I decided to grab the wedding gown on loan to me, and see what happened.
Fifteen minutes later, as the gown lay in a trash bag, wet and covered in the crud of the railroad, I scrolled through the handfull of photos I’d taken, disappointed in most, until the last shot appeared on that little camera screen… There it was. A photo that moved me with the realization that I wasn’t just going to run around in dresses making a fool of myself to make money for the PCT, (and get Ellen’s attention), I was doing so much more than that. … This photo was proof.
That moment also started hiking26 off with a deficit. There was no way that loaner wedding gown was going to be restored to it’s pristine white condition…. *Ring Ring* “Hello, Jazmine… this wedding gown… did you want to sell it? Because it fits me so good, and it’s so beautiful, I think I should buy it for future photo shoots…. “ At a discounted price of $450 paid over the following months, I soon owned the damaged gown, but it was worth every penny. The sad fact – It’s not going to do time on the PCT. Weighing in at nearly 11 lbs, it’s entirely too heavy for me to work with. So it sits on a rack at kayolas house, where it will watch, one by one, as the other gowns are folded, stuffed in a box, and sent westward. Eventually realizing it’s been abandoned.
But I’ll make it up to you ol’ girl…. You once graced the beautiful Barbie Doll-esque Jazmine, and made me a few bucks selling Momentum… I’m sure there’s more to come for you…
So here I am again, in the Gorge, on a train, my long-haul pack stowed below me, and Portland less than an hour away. There’s much for me to do there, catching up on gear lists and organizing notes, and filling you, the fans, in with so much information I should have long ago filled you in on. My creative mind always has me distracted, though, and up until now there’s been one more thing to do here and there with the gowns, my gear, or the simple fact that friends need my attention too…
It’s about time…. April 6 is just over a week away. I can let go of all that’s been dragging me down and stressing me out, and enjoy hiking26 for what it is… but these next few days, in Portland, San Francisco, and all the train time in between, will hopefully help calm my overactive mind…
Oh, and one more thing… the friendly couple across the aisle from me inquired about my backpack. Once I in formed them of all that is hiking26, they reached across the aisle with a $20 bill. Kindness and generosity abound, and I’m so lucky to have an audience to watch as I take on entertainment as i never imagined I would…
