Looking back on 2022 I feel so content. I’m who I’m supposed to be, doing what I’m supposed to be doing, with the person I’m supposed to be with, where we’re supposed to be. It’s just right.

I rang in the new year photographing a wedding in Saskatoon with my old team at Sik Pics. Bryce and I spent New Year’s Day celebrating Christmas with my parents, siblings, and niece and nephews. As I write this, I know they’re all at my parents doing the same today, and am sad not to be there with them. Travelling from Revelstoke in the winter is so difficult, and thought we were relieved by our decision not to face the roads this year, it’s always a little painful not be a part of those family gatherings.

Back in Revelstoke, we had a lot of snow fall in January which made for a ton of fun at the resort with friends. Between that, the backcountry, and cross country skiing, we really made the most of the winter season. I also took part in a 2SLGBTQ+ backcountry program where I got to learn from local guides while touring with fellow queer skiers and snowboarders once a month. It was really fun and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to exist in a queer space like that for my first time. I continued to improve throughout the winter and am stoked about my growth in the sport. Snowboard season season managed to hang around until mid April with some surprise spring powder and epic turns that nobody was complaining about.

In February, Bryce and I travelled to Palm Springs to stay with my parents for a week in the sun. We enjoyed relaxing by the pool, hiking in desert canyons, and were able to climb a bit in Joshua Tree. It was our first time out of the country since the pandemic and it felt so good.

We also hosted visitors at home throughout the year which always has us enjoying being tourists in our own backyard. We love helping friends and family experience our little piece of paradise!

As photo work began to pick up, I loved getting to spend time with so many new clients. From product photos and website branding shoots to proposals and weddings, it turned into a busy year with some of my favourite work. I love that working in a small town means your clients often turn into friends (and vice versa). I love the community in Revelstoke and how you are sure to see a familiar face everywhere.

Bryce and I were also busy organizing, leading, and participating in trips with the ACC. We went ski touring to the Asulkan hut in February, mountaineering at the Stanley Mitchel Hut in July, and up Begbie again in August. In addition to hut trips we did XC ski meet ups, touring days, climbing meet ups and workshops. Additionally, I took a week long summer mountaineering leadership camp set in the International Basin region of the Selkirks. It was a great opportunity to meet other climbers and continue to progress my skills in the mountains.

Mountain biking made a big return again in April and we were riding until October when COVID finally caught up with us. I improved tremendously when I started riding at the resort, taking small jumps and some bigger drops. I even road some of my first technical black trails on Boulder and MacPherson. We took the bikes on a couple road trips as well, including to Penticton in May and Fernie in July.

One of our biggest adventures this year was adopting our dog Eddy! He’s kept us on our toes since day one and never fails to entertain us (or get us out of the house for some exercise). Eddy is a husky kelpie mix who loves running, smelling, playing, and snoozing next to us.

This year I was able to sneak in a few trips to the prairies to visit family and photograph and attend weddings. The drive is long but it’s always so wonderful spending time with my niece and nephews.

The thing we’ve spent the most time on in 2022 has been renovating our house. We tore down walls on the main floor, build new ones in the basement, and bit by bit have been overhauling the whole place. We’ve still got a lot to go, but are in love with our new kitchen and open concept living space. I’m waiting to take “after” photos until we’re totally finished, but remembered to take some good photos of our living spaces before so we can see the progress.

With so many friends in town who are always up for an adventure, Revelstoke really has become our home. I love the life we’ve built here and can’t wait to see what 2023 has in store.