The Lens Artist Photo Challenge proposed by John at Journeys by John this week, is to share images from previous travels rather than asking us to go out to photograph new examples to share. He posed the following questions: If we visited a favorite place more than once, how did we approach the second trip photographically? If we’ve only been somewhere once, what would we do differently the second time around?
Rarely do I visit the same place twice! I mentioned in a previous post, there is something magical about the first time experiencing a new culture, hike, food, etc. Every now again, a second and third trip is warranted.
Here is my hodgepodge of images from memorable trips pulled from my phone. I need to fix a computer that has hundreds upon hundreds of images on it – material is gettin’ thin.
1). Chalet in Chamonix, France after 12 days hiking around Mont Blanc. It’s adorable right? The inside was built comfortably for someone 5’7″ (we are 5’10”)!! I should have read the reviews a little closer and I would have seen the word “Hobbit” and shied away, but I didn’t and we had a blast anyway – a delicious 5 course dinner was served in our quaint dining room. We’ll be back in Chamonix next summer – we’ll find another option that doesn’t bruise our foreheads. haha.

2) Our group photo at the 1st Everest Base camp. The memories of sitting around a Yak dung fire every night, in zero degree temps, daily use of drop or squat toilets, very few showers for weeks, and meeting lifelong friends along the way, still warms my heart. I wouldn’t change a thing. Some day I’d like to go back and do some volunteer work. This country filled my soul.

3). The very first time I visited Marfa, Texas was truly magical. We went to a music festival in the middle of the high desert. The sunsets, hiking in Big Bend National Park, the friendships, the music, and the 12 hour drive back to Colorado listening to Brene Brown (Power of Vulnerability) made it a trip to remember. I’ll most definitely be back to explore more of the National Park – it is a beautiful part of Texas I didn’t know existed until after Colorado pulled me away from the Lone Star state.

4). I whine about my job being stressful ALL the time on this blog. It is stressful, so after every project, breaks are needed. The image below was from a 2 week solo trip around Colorado after a long stint at a client. I had my tent, sleeping bags and my bikes – didn’t need much else at that time in my life. It was such a blast. This image is of my little car in front of the San Juan mountain range near Telluride, Colorado. What I wouldn’t do for two weeks of freedom in my car right now! If I have the opportunity to do it all over again, Sean and Yogi will be with me.

Check out John’s page for some wonderful posts – pretty sure most of the world is covered. You can start dreaming of your next adventure if you haven’t already.
Looking forward to creating some new memories this year when the ‘Vid’ passes us by.
….i choose this….
Pam
I adore that chalet in France, and I’m 5’2 so it’d be perfect for me! Was that another REI trip?
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It would have been perfect for you! Also, the only way up to the second floor was via a ladder. That was interesting, but the bedroom and walls of windows. It was really cool. No, we did a self guided trip with Mac’s Adventure. We are planning on a another trip with them next summer. They are fantastic. Cheap, and you can go at your own pace and do your own thing if you want. They book the hotels and will transport backpacks and such for you.
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I’ll give them a look.
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Mount Everest…we were in Katmandu…not strong enough to climb Mt Everest ..What a great Trek you had.
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Thank you! Katmandu is incredible right? I loved that place – the frenetic pace, the people – complete sensory overload!!
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Wonderful photos! I especially like the tee-pee’s in the sunset 🙂
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Thank you Tatiana! Demonstrates the vibe there for sure!
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Wow, you sure have been to some awesome places!
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Hey Chelsea, life has been pretty good on the adventure front for sure. How about this lovely snowstorm? UGH. I am ready to get outside and hike every weekend!!
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Same!!
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Fantastic photos! That must be the cutest chalet ever! Was there are fireplace too? Thanks for sharing and I hope all is well with you 😊 Aiva
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You know, I don’t recall a fireplace? The place was super cute. Really nice interior details as you can imagine. All is well here, except we got nearly a foot of snow overnight. We are ready for the summer. I hope you all continue to stay healthy and happy Aiva!
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That chalet omg!! Looks soooooo cute. What a cool roundup of adventures here from far and wide! (Mt. Everest! How neat)
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Thanks M.B.! Yeah, I feel fortunate to have such a roundup of adventures. Itching to have more as soon as we can 🙂 Mt Everest was incredible. It was freezing cold at night because it was in late December/early January. We were the last trek out of there – crowds were minimal. The whole trip was surreal. Thanks for taking a look 🙂
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I’d love to visit there someday! ❤ I also miss traveling, like you I'm very glad to have my pictures to scroll through! Someday we'll be back on the road, friend 🙂
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Great photos, Pam. You are a world traveler!!
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Thanks – as are you friend!
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Lovely memories. Keep dreamin’, Mel
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Dreamin every day sister! You don’t stop either 🙂
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I was born dreamer and a planner! I can’t stop now! 🙂
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NEVER stop!!
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Great photos and reminiscences. Love the Tepees and the hobbit house. And who doesn’t love our Colorado skylines.
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Who doesn’t love the Colorado skyline??? We’d have to check their temperature. LOL. Thanks for stopping by John!
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Great photos Pam. The chalet is right down my alley and I’m envious over the Everest base camp. Stay safe.
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Thanks Paulie! Yeah, Everest was most definitely, as they say, a trip of a lifetime. Feel fortunate to have had the experience.
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Nice collection of images. I am impressed with the base camp photo as a personal accomplishment for you. My favorite in your collection, though, is the tee-pees at sunset image. Thanks for sharing your images.
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Thanks John – the teepees are one of my all-time favorite images. I wish I had taken it on a camera other than my phone – I’d blow it up and hang it on the wall.
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You might try an 8×10 print just to see what happens. I don’t know your model phone, but my 4-year-old Samsung S6 made a nice canvas sunset image of the Missouri River. The advantage of canvas is that the natural “grain” of the canvas helps disguise a bit of pixelation. An 8×10 print on paper would give you an idea how bad that might be.
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Oh right. Good counsel. I’ll try that – thanks!
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I love the little house! I’m 5’4″ …I could do it! .
Love your post!
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Thank you Lisa! Yes, you’d feel right at home for sure. It was cozy in there. haha.
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Cute chalet in Chamonix.. I’m about 45min drive from Chamonix
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Lisa! you are so dang lucky. The surrounding mountains are so beautiful. Town is cute too. We enjoyed our time there.
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Brilliant photos, especially like the tents and the little chalet in Chamonix. what a place to stay that would be through this current crisis.
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That Chalet was super cute – minus the low ceilings. lol Made for a fun experience and story though. 🙂
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Everest Base Camp???? OMG! How fabulous for you to experience this. I would not have had the energy when we were in nearby Nepal and also not now especially. But what a memory for you. Congrats!
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Thank you!! Yes! The experience was completely amazing. One of the all-time best. Thanks for visiting today!
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Everest Base Camp??!! Wow, Pam. I am impressed. And I love your shot of Marfa, TX. Who knew it is so beautiful!
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Ha! No need to be impressed – it’s just a thing. Marfa was a total surprise for sure. Thanks for the sweet comments Patti!
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You know I’m a repeater! Even though I’ve been back to Nepal, I’d still want to go again. Definitely need a return to Marfa, would happily return to the Mont Blanc area (especially if that chalet were in my plans!), and of course, Colorado is on constant repeat! Your pics took me right back to so many of these favorite places.
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Any time you want to go back to Nepal, let me know – I’m game! Glad I took you back to some sweet life experiences 🙂
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the chalet in France is simply charming. but i love every picture and experiences you’ve posted. beautiful experiences! thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thanks sooo much! I appreciate your comments very much! It was fun reliving these trips – great memories 🙂
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Wow, you really did Everest Base Camp! I was in Nepal and saw Everest from afar, and went to Pokhara and Annapurna – but the base camp! I am impressed. Love the Teepees and the chalet though – so sweet. Glorious shots all of them.
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Thank you A-C! I did! It was so much fun and hard for many reasons!! I’d like to hike around Annapurna and Pokhara as well . We’ll see, so many other things to do in the world. 😃
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♥
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Thank you, thank you, thank you AC 🙂
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Wonderful Pam, thanks for giving us such a personal perspective of your favourite places.
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Thank you Wendy!! Hope all is well with ya!
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Yes we’re fine thanks Pam. I hope you are too. All the best.
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I can just feel your passion for these places/memories. Although I say I’d like to return to a favourite place, I rarely do. When I have, it has been fine, but no match for the first experience.
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Thanks Caroline. Yeah, I just don’t do it often. Too many places in the world to see :-). Cheers to a great week lady!
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Very nice blog and pictures Pam! Hope you’re safe and healthy there!!
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Thank you Jennifer!! Nice to hear from you! All is well here – hope the same goes for you and yours 🙂
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I loved vicariously sharing your adventures with you! It will have to do – no traveling right now!
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Thanks Lady! I am so sad, all of our fun trips have been cancelled. Holding out for a couple of them to pull through. Hope all is well with you and yours!
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That chalet looks so cute!! But, alas, at 5’8″ it’d be too small for me as well. And the others in my home range from my height to 6’6″ so it def be a “no go”. I’ve heard amazing things about Marfa. Were those teepees part of the festival? That’s is such an awesome shot. Hope you are doing well!!
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wowza! you have a tall family! it would not be fun for your crew at all. the teepees are part of the festival, but I also believe they remain on property. You can rent airstreams and such outside of the festival – here is a link to the lodging site – https://elcosmico.com. All is well! Had a bit of meltdown this morning – truth be told – but mostly due to lack of sleep last night. Hope you all are ok!
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You travel a lot!!!! Next time I travel you can advise us 🙂
💕💕💕
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Would love to! Any time 🙂
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Thiis is great
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