Melissa i
Strong

I have always enjoyed taking pictures.  I think it must have come from my father.  He always had a camera ready to capture special moments, the brilliant New England scenery, skiing, and other family adventures.  He undauntedly lugged around bulky cameras and/or video equipment on our family vacations--occasionally cursing the weight of the latest contraption or when it would not function.  I will never forget the massive video equipment my Dad purchased in 1981--one of the first JVC video cameras.   It had a huge video camera, a very bulky battery pack, and a VCR that was part of the ensemble, and all components had to be connected as one unit to work.  The whole family took turns carrying pieces of it, walking closely bonded by 3-foot cords around the sweltering heat of Disney land for that year's family vacation.

Capturing moments does take dedication and time, even for the novice.  The camera equipment has become much lighter over the years, but when you pair some good equipment with a crash pad, clothing for a day in the mountains, plus food and water, it all becomes a heavy teetering load that I have hiked miles with.  The burdensome weight is one reason why the camera phone has been a pleasant gift, allowing casual capturers on days you leave the larger camera at home.

Recently, I was informed that in honor of Rocky Mountain National Park's centennial celebration, the local Estes Park museum was going to have a climbing exhibit on the history of climbing in RMNP as well as a bouldering exhibit.  I submitted a few photos, and they were accepted, as well as some pictures of me some good friends submitted, Gustavo Mosier and Sam Davis.

I am truly honored to be part of this exhibit, to be a Rocky Mountain climber, and to have called Estes Park, Colorado, home since 1996!  This exhibit will be on display at the Estes Park Museum until October 15, 2015.

Seeing my pictures arranged on someone else's walls besides my own is motivation to carry that heavy equipment around and use it more!!!  Below are some photos from the opening night of the climbing exhibit and some I have taken this fall and in the past. I am excited to capture some new scenery on our winter trip to Switzerland!