"Cycles of Life" a Poem by Dalton Johnson
"Cycles of Life" is a poem by Dalton Johnson published in his first book 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. This article also has a video of Dalton reading aloud his poem. You can purchase this book on Dalton Johnson's website or on Amazon.
CYCLES OF LIFE
People and wealth come and go, just as
the tide ebbs and flows.
Crashing into your arms new people Conjure a smile upon your face, but before you can relish in the moment, they
disappear.
Your savings account fills and
You’re on top of the world then catastrophe hits, the bills stack up, and
You go broke.
Your smile is gone, your coffers are dry, you think You’re alone and there is no hope, until
You relearn to love life and
Yourself.
Then, that grin will return, new relationships form, and Your savings account once more will fill.
Rinse and repeat, ebb and flow, love and indifference.
Again and again Again and again Again and again
Until,
You rest six feet under ground.
Order Your Copy Today: Buy on Amazon
Order Your Signed Copy Today:
Get your signed copy of 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. Dalton Johnson's first book of poetry. These 51 poems are his critique of American hustle culture told from the perspective of a young man returning to the world after years of living off the grid on less than $500 a month.
These poems capture the internal battle of consumerism, American greed, humans loss of connection with the natural world, and pokes fun at some of the absurd cultural norms of adulting. Each poem touches on different parts of American's superficial society in hopes of promoting the change from group thought to individuality. For it is at the individual level Johnson belives you unlock your true self.
As you read these poems take some time to think about what stirs inside of yourself to find where you can change and grow into the human you want to be today and tomorrow.
Please Note: Signed paperback will be shipping the middle of April, 2025 and should arrive by the end of April
We Are All Learning Together
For as long as I can remember, I’ve hated not knowing. That could be not knowing a surprise is going to happen or no knowing something in a conversation. Regardless, not knowing really irritates me. So, when embarking on a road trip where the whole point is to embrace the unknown, you would think I would constantly be annoyed. Well, the contrary is true. Not knowing what is going to happen brings me joy, excitement, and that feeling of wonder that only comes when loosening the reins on life a little bit.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve hated not knowing. That could be not knowing a surprise is going to happen or not knowing something in a conversation. Regardless, not knowing really irritates me. So, when embarking on a road trip where the whole point is to embrace the unknown, you would think I would constantly be annoyed. Well, the contrary is true. Not knowing what is going to happen brings me joy, excitement, and that feeling of wonder that only comes when loosening the reins on life a little bit.
A family splash fight before hitting the road. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Loosening the grip on the reins is hard for a control freak like myself and often sends me down a spiral of questions that my Mom has always coined as my “overthinking brain”. The questions would range from:
How will x get done?
Where will we sleep tonight?
What if y doesn’t happen?
Will I disappoint anyone, maybe myself, if z doesn’t come to fruition?
Will this make me go broke?
How much time is required and will that be worth it?
What is the opportunity cost of x over y?
The list continues. Each question leads to more questions and wormholes to explore. Most would of this comes from a desire to be perfect, however, I am not a perfectionist. There is time for perfection, like on a photoshoot for a client and delivering a written piece, but submitting a rough draft or an edit isn’t the time. A road trip isn’t the time either. Going camping doesn’t require perfection. However, free soloing El Capitan requires perfection. There is a difference and what all of this comes back to is learning together.
The goal of today was making the drive from Pettit Lake to City of Rocks, ID before dark. We made the drive just in time. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
This family road trip is more about learning how to live on the road together. For four years, I lived solo on a bicycle, in a car, a sketchy van, and this current van. Then Kristin and I lived in the current van for 2.5 years together. Now, we live in a house with a dog. So, hitting the road like the “good ole days” is now a learning lesson because we have a dog that enjoys rolling in dirt, needs lots of water, doesn’t like the heat, and takes up a lot of room considering he is roughly 60lbs. So, everyday is a new day as we learn, make rules, break the new rules, make different guidelines, and ultimately return to old ways.
Additionally, the business model of this road trip has been different than past trips. I have a few photo clients but overall the content created is an experiment to see how it would work.
The last 20 miles to City of Rocks cloaked in golden light. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
What is that experiment? Writing and sharing images daily from the trip. Yes, I have done this in the past, but never to this degree. Each article, or daily recap, has been a heavy lift, taking 3 to 4 hours because the process is such:
live the day to the fullest, capture images, and take notes
import images around dinner time
cull images, make selects for the story, edit, and export
outline the article, write the article, add the photos
ask Kristin to edit, hit publish
share on social media
That is no small night time task considering I still have other requirements like running a profitable freelance career, emails, meetings, finishing other projects, bidding on incoming jobs, and the typical daily tasks that come with the craft of being an artist for a living.
This balance has been a challenge considering I want to spend my evenings with Kristin and Chestnut. I want to sit by a campfire and enjoy some s’mores (sadly this has not happened all trip). I want to make money and maintain a “successful” career.
Hence, the need to loosen the reins a little bit and learn what I can balance.
Kristin excitingly taking in the cotton candy clouds after the sun set and we made it to our campsite for the night. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
At the end of the day, life is a marathon of learning, unlearning, and relearning what is going to work for us as an individual. It is road trips like this vanlife road trip that open the doors to reflection and growth. Having the time to sit with our thoughts is a luxury in this information age and I am incredibly grateful for the clients who are willing to support a trip like this and all of the readers, like yourself, who make their way through these articles. You all are part of my journey and growth. So, thank you for being here and coming along for the journey.
The next article will return to more of a recap style, unless I get a ton of feedback that a story like this was more impactful and helpful for you all as readers.
Keep Reading This Travel Journal Series:
We Came To City of Rocks To Climb, But Are We Really Climbers?
"Only The City Lights Left On" a Poem by Dalton Johnson
"Only The City Lights Left On" is a poem by Dalton Johnson published in his first book 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. This article also has a video of Dalton reading aloud his poem. You can purchase this book on Dalton Johnson's website or on Amazon.
ONLY THE CITY LIGHTS LEFT ON
Half past the first tick of the little hand,
dark skies, yet the moving ground illuminated
from the lamp-lined streets burning throughout the night.
Incapable of grasping the essence of the moment, stumbling upon another’s church with a bench along its side
and my favorite hugging tree.
Awe yes, my hugging tree, so tall and whispy
you sway in the wind, yet to firm and uncomfortable to hold for long. I smell you... comfort.
It is true, I could not sleep, for my body aches
of fatigue from a hard days work and my cluttered mind questions the unpredictable future.
Yet, my foolish thumbs let the woman I have tried so hard to forget
know she goes unforgotten.
Read: 12:32 AM
The message says, yet, no response. So,
My feet wander away from my hugging tree and
Flap down the path to another distraction, instead of Doing the hard work to improve myself by:
Putting down the bottle,
Using the blank pages of my journal to reconnect with my soul, Maybe, seeing a therapist once a week,
Working out and sleeping alone,
Spending time with friends,
Showing up on time to work,
And...
Nah, cut the preaching,
I don’t believe in God,
I’ll just scroll social media instead.
Order Your Copy Today: Buy on Amazon
Order Your Signed Copy Today:
Get your signed copy of 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. Dalton Johnson's first book of poetry. These 51 poems are his critique of American hustle culture told from the perspective of a young man returning to the world after years of living off the grid on less than $500 a month.
These poems capture the internal battle of consumerism, American greed, humans loss of connection with the natural world, and pokes fun at some of the absurd cultural norms of adulting. Each poem touches on different parts of American's superficial society in hopes of promoting the change from group thought to individuality. For it is at the individual level Johnson belives you unlock your true self.
As you read these poems take some time to think about what stirs inside of yourself to find where you can change and grow into the human you want to be today and tomorrow.
Please Note: Signed paperback will be shipping the middle of April, 2025 and should arrive by the end of April
An Adventure-Filled Road Trip Along Idaho's Highway 75
I have to be frank, I didn’t think Idaho was going to be very fun and begrudgingly agreed to this section of the road trip. It isn’t on Instagram, magazines don’t write about Idaho, and, well, I just think of potatoes when I think about Idaho. Asking a few long time locals if this is by design, they shook their heads agreeing and disagreeing. The best response I have gotten so far, “Idaho is out of the way. No major trucking routes that force you to pass through regardless. You go to Idaho by choice and most people would pick a different place in the US to go on vacation.” The response was spot on, but, I would say Highway 75 should be on somebodies road trip list because you can do just about anything an outdoorsy person would like to do during the day, then relax in a hot spring. Don’t believe me, read what we did today.
I have to be frank, I didn’t think Idaho was going to be very fun and begrudgingly agreed to this section of the road trip. It isn’t on Instagram, magazines don’t write about Idaho, and, well, I just think of potatoes when I think about Idaho. Asking a few long-time locals if this is by design, they shook their heads agreeing and disagreeing. The best response I have gotten so far, “Idaho is out of the way. With no major trucking routes, or highways, forcing drivers to pass through Idaho, people don’t randomly stumble upon Idaho. You go to Idaho by choice and most people would pick a different place in the US to go on vacation.” The response was spot on, but, I would say Highway 75 should be on somebody’s road trip list because you can do just about anything an outdoorsy person would like to do during the day, then relax in a hot spring at night. Don’t believe me, read what we did today.
Hot spring and river bathing at Kirkham Hot Springs. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Kirkham Hot Spring
From Pine Flat campground, we hit the road by 9:00am and stopped at Kirkham Hot Spring, which is open but under construction currently. Once this opens, it will be a stellar place for camping. Nomadix towels in hand, we made the walk in from the free road side parking to the hot springs. At first, you stumble upon a few pools inside of the day use area, these hot springs are comfortable and would be great for families with kids. The pools are warm, not hot, and shallow. I could see some kids playing in these pools while the adults enjoyed themselves, but these are not the best pools. If you want to enjoy the magic of soaking in Kirkham Hot Spings, keep going down the path and make a choice, down by the river or on the hillside.
The hot springs on the hillside were a bit more shallow and hot. Too hot for my liking. I felt as though I was burning my feet when I walked into it, but there were people soaking in them comfortably. Call me weak sauce, but I just couldn’t handle it. So, I headed to the river.
Down by the river, the hot water poured over the edge like a shower, so I did what any sane human would do… go “shower” in it. For sustainability reasons, I didn’t actually soap up and wash myself in the hot spring, but I was like a kid at an epic playground here. Near the shower, a slide was created by the mixture of algae and river smooth rock. Putting my hands to the sky, I attempted to slide down the 20 feet, but it turned into a butt scoot as the incline wasn’t really all that steep, but I had fun. And, that is the point of a road trip, right? To let the inner-kid come out and play. To stop taking life so serious and enjoy these little moments.
Finding a pool that worked for both Kristin and I—she wasn’t a fan of the shower, it got her hair wet—we enjoy the rushing of the river and soaked for about 20 minutes. Then, it was time to go rescue Chestnut from the van.
Driving down a random dirt road along Highway 75. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Dirt Road That Lead To No-Where
With a second pot of coffee made, we headed south along Idaho’s Highway 75. Winding through the mountains, a river always on one side of the road, this drive was breathtaking. Service was no where to be found and my downloaded music wasn’t working, so Kristin and I talked and drove. Wildflowers dotted the hillsides and there were patches of snow remaining from the winter season. Often, dirt roads shot off the main artery we were driving and at some point, my curiosity got the better of me.
Coming to a quick stop, banked right and headed down one of these random dirt paths somewhere north of Stanley. For about 10 minutes we drove towards no-where. Doing nothing but looking out the window and admiring the trees, the green grass, and clusters of wildflowers. Once we had gone far enough, we stopped and let Chestnut outside to play some catch. The little-big guy ran in circles, far too excited, his zoomies had him going crazy. Chasing sticks and balls, the nut-case barked at his own echo.
Kristin and I chased Chestnut around, laughing at his craziness, then loaded back into the van and headed for Stanley.
The cutest coffee shop in Stanley, ID. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Hang Up and Hang Out
Driving south on our road trip along Highway 75 in Idaho, the striking Sawtooth mountains stood to the west. Thankfully Kristin was driving at this point because I couldn’t stop staring at the summits that are calling to be climbed. Similar in look to the Teton Range, this range of mountains were inspiring to look upon because the sense of wonder and adventure began stirring inside of me. I want to pull out a map, find a guide book, and begin a climb. However, climbing in the Sawtooth Range will have to wait for another trip, one where we plan to head into the mountains by packing the right gear. For now, I will look at and dream of standing on one of these summits.
The best and worst rule a coffee shop could have. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Rolling into Stanley, Idaho, Kristin and I craved some more caffeine. Don’t judge if you are reading this closely. Yes, we shared two french presses of coffee this morning in our indestructible Hydroflask french press, perfect for road trips, and, now, I ordered a latte and Kristin ordered a cold brew. Let me do a little explaining… the french press is amazing because it is insulated and holds 32 oz of coffee. Which means, we (mostly me) consumed 64 oz of coffee throughout the morning because it stays warm for so dang long. Additionally, I ordered a latte because I love warm milk and ordering a steamer as a grown adult feels weird, so I do a latte. Okay, phew, now that I have defended my caffeine addiction, let’s get back to how cute this coffee pit stop was.
First, cash only. That is a win. Are they laundering money through this, my guess is no. But, any company that is “cash only” always makes me think something is going on here.
Second, no laptops. Sure, you can sit on your phone and not talk, but this rule of no laptops encourages conversations. As I looked around, yes, everyone was chatting. It worked! I love when coffee shops implement this rule.
Third, no laptops. I hate this as a digital nomad. I always want to post up at coffee shops and get my work done. It’s a great vibe, so I think no laptops is a stupid idea. You can’t win them all, right? However, as a community center this is awesome and I have to say, when you have the option of playing giant Jenga or corn hole or watch kids learn how to hula hoop, the no laptop rule makes sense. Rant done.
Could these two get any cuter? Kristin and Chestnut sharing a hammock. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Lakeside Hangs
Bouncing down the dirt road into Pettit Lake area, we didn’t know if we wanted to camp here. Then, we were lake side and there was one campsite available walking distance from the water and were like, “why would we go wild camp and not use the lake, when we could pay $22 for this spot and play in the water all day?” So, we pulled into the campsite. Full disclosure, my typical take on vanlife is to never pay for a campsite. I just don’t like doing it unless there is something extra special, like a grand view, added amenities, or access you don’t get otherwise. This spot ticked two of the three. So, we camped.
Inflating one of the SUPs, Kristin wanted to hang back to rest up from the long day of travel, Chestnut and I headed to Pettit Lake for a pup and SUP session. Oh yeah, that just came off the tongue nicely.
Chestnut fell in twice as the wind was crazy, but we found a calm cove to snap a cute photo together. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Chestnut leaped onto the board and we set off. In the distance I could see the wind was picking up, but whatever. We are here to adventure and adventure we must, so I paddled directly towards the wind and the mountains in the distance. Foolish, of course, but I did it. Chestnut clinched his paws to the board and we paddled over waves. The wind was using me like a sail. I was paddling, but we were not going forward. I paddled harder and a side gust slammed into the two of us. Chestnut fell into the water and I started to drift away.
Chestnut and I have practiced this several times, so he swam right at me. I paddled towards him, against the wind and in no time we were reunited. After another 10 minutes of paddling into the wind, I gave up, turned us around, and headed back to our starting point. In total we paddled for about 45 minutes and a little bit more than a mile was covered.
Back at the van and craving more adventure, Chestnut and I set off on a hike. We had no destination, so we just hiked for about 90 minutes and looked at nature. Honestly, moments like that are some of my highlights on road trips and vanlife living. No need to pull out a phone, or camera, to capture something. We just walked and enjoyed nature together.
Taking in the sunset from the middle of Pettit Lake, Idaho. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
I Try To Never Miss A Sunset
As the evening came quick after our adventures around Pettit Lake, I dropped Chestnut off with Kristin and grabbed the paddleboard for some alone time on the lake to watch sunset. If there was one life goal I could bestow upon myself it would be to try to never miss a sunset. The colors, the way it feels to watch the sun fade behind the landscape, all add up to an amazing feeling of wonder. So, in the middle of the lake, which was now calm, I pulled out my camera with a wide angle Tamron Lens and snapped a few frames.
Mountains, water, sunstar, and the tip of the paddleboard to remind me that I was sitting there in the middle of Pettit Lake. What a day, what a memory.
Sometimes, You Need A Full Day To Reset
We all have those days when the alarm goes off at 5AM and you hit snooze. The alarm goes off a second time and you hit snooze, again. Well, 5AM came and went for us this morning, finally crawling out from under the covers around 6:50-something. I missed sunrise. A trade-off I assumed was going to happen when going to be at 11:30PM the night before. Why? Getting distracted hanging in the hot spring, editing images, stretching since we have a campsite with an area perfect to put the yoga mat, and tapping away on the keyboard. Those are my excuses, the real reason, though, are the endless daylight hours of summer that are making so much room for activity, I just can’t bring myself to embrace the FOMO on daytime activities. So, I wait for the sun to set, roughly 9:30PM, right now, to start the editing and writing process. But, today is a little different.
We all have those days when the alarm goes off at 5AM and you hit snooze. The alarm goes off a second time and you hit snooze, again. Well, 5AM came and went for us this morning, finally crawling out from under the covers around 6:50-something. I missed sunrise. A trade-off I assumed was going to happen when going to bed at 11:30PM the night before. Why? Getting distracted hanging in the hot spring, editing images, stretching since we have a campsite with an area perfect to put the yoga mat, and tapping away on the keyboard. Those are my excuses, the real reason, though, are the endless daylight hours of summer that are making so much room for activity, I just can’t bring myself to embrace the FOMO on daytime activities. So, I wait for the sun to set, roughly 9:30PM, right now, to start the editing and writing process. But, today is a little different.
Posted up for the day, we even pulled the Tuffstuff Overlanding awning out. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
With the area explored the day before and a plan to stick around all day, there was no need to pack the van, drive for hours, blah, blah, blah. Nope, none of that travel-related stuff today, we are staying at the Pine Flats Campground and soaking up every minute to get caught up on work, mental health, trip planning, and some cleaning. So, we unfolded the Tuffstuff Overlanding 180 awning and got to work.
Not the most ideal work station, but, for the next week, call this our office. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
The Darkside of Vanlife… Work Days
Kristin took the front seat, our makeshift couch in the van (this could use a serious upgrade) and I took the yoga mat outside. As the workday passed by, like two boring adults, we changed positions a few times to avoid the glare on our screens as the sun moved higher in the sky. While boring, working on a road trip is a requirement for us to maintain our lifestyle. I mean, heck, I would love to hit the lottery and never have to send another email, but that would require me to play the lottery.
Gear I Need To Work Remotely On A Road Trip:
Slowing down time to a 1/4 of a second while funning. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Staying Fit On The Road Is More For The Mental Side Of Life
With the boring, yet, mandatory work day out of the way, it was time to start taking care of our bodies and mind. Lacing up our Hoka running shoes, me with the Skyflow and Kristin with the Speedgoats, we set off on a family run with Chestnut. A mixed run, trail and road, for a couple of miles.
Because I like to torture myself, I slung my camera over my shoulder for this run. There were a few photo ideas brewing that I wanted to capture and Kristin didn’t roll her eyes when I asked, so that was a good sign. As we ran, I tailed Kristin and Chestnut with a slow shutter speed, between 1/4 and 1/20th of a second, to capture a motion blur image. Who would have thought, but, trail running and looking at a camera is harder than it looks! However, one image turned out well.
That moment you look back and realize this is the composition of the day while out on a trail run. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
On our way out of the canyon and back to the van, I looked over my shoulder, only to see the best leading line of the day. Crawling up the hill and rapidly increasing the shutter speed, I was able to capture a running image of Kristin and Chestnut in the crazy landscape we had just jogged through. Stunning!
Kristin mesmerized by the waterfall hot spring at Pine Flat hot spring in Idaho. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
This Might Be The Most Epic Hot Spring In Idaho
During the middle of the day, Kristin went on a solo journey to find a “hidden” hot spring around the corner and a short scramble down a 3rd class cliff from where we were hot springing yesterday. Coming back with a massive smile, I knew she had found what she was looking for, so we packed our bags and headed for sunset.
When I say “hidden” what I really mean is this hot spring isn’t super popular because it is hard to access and there are about 6 other hot springs you’ll pass along the way that are warmer, but they all lack the grandness that this hot spring provides, like an epic waterfall shower. No joke, shower warm water falling roughly 20 feet and covering you like the ideal rain showerhead of luxury hotels. To top it off, there is river access so you can transition from hot to cold.
Sitting and chatting, Kristin and I go back and forth about moving back onto the road full time. We did it for three years together and it worked, but it was tough. Also, my creative process changed for me during that time, requiring more travel via plane, so moving into a house was the only thing that made sense. However, now, the creative industry is under a lot of pressure and seems quite uncertain. For myself, I feel lucky to have a strong rehire rate, roughly 92% in a five year cycle, but there is a strong desire to see where I could take a photo and writing format, like this one, in terms of business models. For now, we don’t plan to uproot our lives in Lake Tahoe, but love for the open road will always remain in our hearts as the endless possibilities often lead to the best adventures in life.
A surprise aurora showing in Idaho. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Wait, Is That The Aurora in Idaho?
After our heart-to-heart, we dried off and navigated back to the van via headlamp. Admiring the stars and dark sky, to the north there was a hint of pink visible to the naked eye. After seeing the northern lights several times last year, I had a hunch this could be a very faint coloring of the aurora here in Idaho. So, I grabbed my tripod and camera to see what a long exposure image could capture.
Setting up the frame, increasing the shutter-speed to 25 seconds, opening the aperture to f/2.8, a few more minor tweaks of the framing to capture more of the trees, now pulling the focus on the stars, I pressed the shutter and waited.
25 seconds of light captured. 25 seconds for the camera to process the light captured.
There they were, the northern lights, right here in Idaho on a random Thursday night.
Up Next On This Travel Journal Series:
An Adventure-Filled Road Trip Along Idaho's Highway 75
"The Time Teller" a Poem by Dalton Johnson
"The Time Teller" is a poem by Dalton Johnson published in his first book 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. This article also has a video of Dalton reading aloud his poem. You can purchase this book on Dalton Johnson's website or on Amazon.
THE TIME TELLER
Wandering through every connection,
Searching for every outlook,
Pondering meaningless thoughts
Of limitless self-reflection.
The ego, the self, the righteous
And injustice, the rich and
The poor, the have’s and the have-not’s.
Belonging only to themselves, Lifelong-questions must wait for Time to answer.
Order Your Copy Today: Buy on Amazon
Order Your Signed Copy Today:
Get your signed copy of 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. Dalton Johnson's first book of poetry. These 51 poems are his critique of American hustle culture told from the perspective of a young man returning to the world after years of living off the grid on less than $500 a month.
These poems capture the internal battle of consumerism, American greed, humans loss of connection with the natural world, and pokes fun at some of the absurd cultural norms of adulting. Each poem touches on different parts of American's superficial society in hopes of promoting the change from group thought to individuality. For it is at the individual level Johnson belives you unlock your true self.
As you read these poems take some time to think about what stirs inside of yourself to find where you can change and grow into the human you want to be today and tomorrow.
Please Note: Signed paperback will be shipping the middle of April, 2025 and should arrive by the end of April
The Summer Storm That Made a Photography Dream Come True
Picking up my watch, 4:51 AM. Nine minutes before my alarm is going to go off, so I crawl out of bed without waking Kristin, grab my camera, pet Chestnut who’s greeting me with a sleepy smile, and head outside under the cloudy, blue-yellow sky. In about 20 minutes sunrise will change the color of the clouds, but for now, Chestnut and I, walk around our campsite as the birds chase bugs. It’s quiet, but there is an audible noise from the river close-by.
Picking up my watch, 4:51 AM. Nine minutes before my alarm is going to go off, so I crawl out of bed without waking Kristin, grab my camera, pet Chestnut who’s greeting me with a sleepy smile, and head outside under the cloudy, blue-yellow sky. In about 20 minutes sunrise will change the color of the clouds, but for now, Chestnut and I, walk around our campsite as the birds chase bugs. It’s quiet, but there is an audible noise from the river close-by.
The sunrise light creeping in behind the wall of clouds in the sky. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Lightning Storm On The Horizon
Looking across the river and toward the horizon, a storm is obviously brewing over the vast farmland surrounding us. The sky lights up, often, and the thunder rolls past us 20 seconds later, at first. With each flash and bang, the delay diminishes. The storm is moving towards us and to the north. I don’t think the storm will hit us, but I wanted to take every chance I could to create an image I just haven’t had the opportunity to photograph. A lightening bolt, frozen in the frame.
I had a few hunches on how to make this happen, so, I grabbed my tripod and set up.
My first time catching a bolt of lightening on camera. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
How To Capture A Lightening Bolt In An Image
At first, I got really excited and sat there trying to time the clicking of the shutter with the lightening bolt, but I epically failed. So, with the tripod I set my camera up on interval mode, snapping images consistently with the framing I wanted, hoping to capture a bolt of lightening. 300 images later, still nothing. Feeling a bit defeated, I decided to focus up and change things around a little bit, meanwhile return to my first method to capture a lightening bolt frozen in an image.
Gear I Used To Get The Shot:
Camera Body: Sony A7r4
Lens: Tamron 28-70mm G2
Tripod: Peak Design Travel Tripod (to get the shot, I actually didn’t use a tripod)
With my camera handheld and camera strap around my neck for added stability, I flipped out the LCD-monitor and looked down at it as if this was a waist-level camera. Pushing my finger halfway down, so the camera was pre-focused and set to high for burst mode, I waited for the sky to light up. Once any kind of light started, I held the shutter down. Spray and pray, some call it.
On my first go, I got what I wanted. And that was a good thing, because that was the last visible lightning bolt to cross my field of view this morning.
The mobile office. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Meetings On The Road Are A Reality I Can’t Avoid
After the photo fun was concluded, we packed the van and began down the road. We would need to stop soon, like within the next hour, because I had a business call. I know, I know. A business call on a road trip? Yes. This vanlife summer road trip is for work and I am still taking on other work projects. So, meetings on the road are a reality I can’t avoid. The cool part, I have a rad mobile office set up.
Starlink plugged in, my 400 watt Renogy solar set up charging in the full sun, Apple computer powered on, journal and pen in hand, I am ready to chat away.
Without boring you to tears, we chatted about potential video and photo projects that could be a good fit in the near future. Nothing too exciting, I mean, I didn’t even tell my Mom about it, but the meeting happened and follow-up email was sent.
Time to hit the road again!
We Made It To Idaho
I’m not much of a fan of name calling, but when a welcome sign call me a -ho, I have to counter with, “Nah, you-da-ho”…
Did you laugh? I sure hope so. Well, now that the Dad joke is out of the way, yes, Kristin, Chestnut, and I have made the drive from South Lake Tahoe through Nevada, a corner of Oregon, and into Idaho. The land of potatoes. At least that is what their license plates say, “Famous Potatoes”. Sure, they farm potatoes, but what is really going on here Idaho? Are you all trying to downplay how cool your state is so tourism never comes to you? I wish I could be a fly on the wall when they had their marketing meeting because I assume it went something like this:
“Hey, the bosses over in D.C. said we need to write a slogan for our license plates. What should we say?”
“Um, we grow potatoes.”
“Really? No, that is a terrible idea.”
“Actually, you know, we make $1.4 billion from agriculture per year. That is like, 18% of our state’s GDP. If we focus on tourism, that is only 3% of our GDP. Let’s do it!”
“Okay, but can we change it to ‘Famous Potatoes’?”
“What’s famous about them?”
“Nothing really, we just grow a lot of them.”
“Sounds good. Send it to D.C.”
Hot springing in the summer is hot! Notice the chocolate milk color of the river? Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
Hot Spring and Chill
After two more hours on the road, we were winding along the muddy flow of the Payette River. I don’t know if this water is always muddy, because I saw a sign that warned, “Flash Flood Potential noon to 5pm” which made me think they were releasing water from a dam higher up. Regardless, the river was rushing and looked like the perfect combination of chocolate in milk.
As the evening closed in, we were ready to stop. Thankfully, not far away was a campground with a hot spring. Snagging a spot to camp at Pine Flat Hot Springs, Kristin and I headed down to the hot spring for a soak. About a quarter of a mile down a trail, a cascading waterfall flowed into a man-made pool perfect for soaking. This hot spring pool was one of the most stunning hot springs I have ever visited. Trust me, I have visited a lot, so this is saying something. Positioned higher on the hill, you get a view of the river and the noise does not drown out the conversation, so Kristin and I could chat.
However, if you are feeling daring, there is a pool down the river and up a moss covered slab of rocks to die for. I mean, this tub is like, chef’s kiss, top notch, romantic. Private and hard to find, this clean hot spring has a flowing waterfall of warm water, perfect for two. If you decided to stop here and visit this hot spring, bring a snack, maybe some candles, it is that kind of place.
"Let The Machines Roar" a Poem by Dalton Johnson
"Let The Machines Roar" is a poem by Dalton Johnson published in his first book 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. This article also has a video of Dalton reading aloud his poem. You can purchase this book on Dalton Johnson's website or on Amazon.
LET THE MACHINES ROAR
Towering trees cover an unproductive hillside:
“It should be a road.” One said. “No,
It should be clear cut for the timber,” The other responded. “Maybe, It should be both, dotted with houses...” they both agreed. So,
Start up that chainsaw, and let the teeth shred deep Into the heart wood, chunking out the wedge, so That hundred and fifty year old tree can...
ringinging ring ringinging
whistle to the forest floor breaking
branches as it smashes through the canopy, flattening The vegetation it once shaded...
Inginginginging... “falling”... chruk snap purhk
Leaving behind a nub of existence
Interwoven throughout the soil, but do not worry, Thanks to the chainsaws, that tree will become:
A house ready to burn in the next drought, paper for a child to scribble upon, Firewood, a table to share family meals, and, maybe, a chair
for that arborist to rest in after a long day of
Clear cutting ancient siblings.
Order Your Copy Today: Buy on Amazon
Order Your Signed Copy Today:
Get your signed copy of 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. Dalton Johnson's first book of poetry. These 51 poems are his critique of American hustle culture told from the perspective of a young man returning to the world after years of living off the grid on less than $500 a month.
These poems capture the internal battle of consumerism, American greed, humans loss of connection with the natural world, and pokes fun at some of the absurd cultural norms of adulting. Each poem touches on different parts of American's superficial society in hopes of promoting the change from group thought to individuality. For it is at the individual level Johnson belives you unlock your true self.
As you read these poems take some time to think about what stirs inside of yourself to find where you can change and grow into the human you want to be today and tomorrow.
Please Note: Signed paperback will be shipping the middle of April, 2025 and should arrive by the end of April
Slowing Down To Meet The Moment
The morning light warmed my face through the open door. Blinking my eyes open, I found Chestnut staring at me, panting, and the van’s surfaces to have a layer of fine dust coating every surface. This must be what it was like to live in the Dust Bowl, I thought to myself as I grabbed my camera in hopes of capturing something in this golden light. Kristin was up as well, so all three of us wandered down to the water’s edge, without caffeine in our systems, not really saying a word. Chestnut wanted to play. I wanted to photograph. Kristin just looked out at the nature with a smile on her face.
The morning light warmed my face through the open door. Blinking my eyes open, I found Chestnut staring at me, panting, and the van’s surfaces to have a layer of fine dust coating every surface. This must be what it was like to live in the Dust Bowl, I thought to myself as I grabbed my camera in hopes of capturing something in this golden light. Kristin was up as well, so all three of us wandered down to the water’s edge, without caffeine in our systems, not really saying a word. Chestnut wanted to play. I wanted to photograph. Kristin just looked out at the nature with a smile on her face.
First Sunrise On The Road
For the six years prior to this road trip, all of my personal projects carried a sense of urgency because I wanted to build a career in photography around travel and adventure. Starting late with a camera, at 22 years old and not taking it “serious” until 24, I had no time to waste. Years behind my peers and lightyears behind my idols, every location I visited I was motivated to “create something worth while”. No fluff, no fun, only straight to the point. Yes, I played, but the play was always intentionally focused on building a portfolio worth sharing. I scoffed at the idea of taking cute photos to tell a story and often beat myself up if an image was “perfect”. In the beginning, I understood the importance of holding yourself to a higher standard, but this desire for perfection and comparison to others started to squash my creativity. At times, an internal weight so heavy I considered giving up on the career.
So, on a relatively average morning in a place most would look at and say, “there is nothing here” certainly triggered me to snap a few photos. Those years of photographing every second of everyday are in the past, unless I am on an assignment, however, with my camera in hand I wanted to create something, so I pulled out the tools in my toolbelt and:
Attached a neutral density filter to the lens and slowed the shutter speed down between 1/6 and 1/2 second to create a motion blur panning image
Switched lenses to the Tamron 70-180mm G2 and found a high saturation area of the lake, got down on my knees, and focused on compressing the distant mountain range with the golden lake water as the foreground
Stood up, slowed the shutter speed down once more to soften the slushing water and focused on the heavily shadowed weeds growing out of the muddy lake bottom
As I write this, I want to defend myself against the critics who will “call out” the average images, but the reality is these are the images that presented themselves this morning. This is what I saw when I woke. This is what walking next to the Pitt-Taylor Dam reservoir during a golden sunrise is like. So, there is no need to sequester them away in my archive like a squirrel hiding nuts for the winter.
With enough images from the morning, I headed back to the van, and started to pack up. It was time to move along to the next destination. Photograph, move, photograph… that is the lifestyle I have conditioned myself to do. Yet, Kristin forced (yes, strong word, but well-placed in this case) me to go for a walk and talk. My rushing was for no reason. It wasn’t even 7am. Yet, I had made bad coffee because I didn’t want to wait, we hadn’t had breakfast, packed up, did some “yoga” because I was waiting, and stressed myself out about making it to our next location without knowing where that location was going to be for the day.
Just before driving over the Pitt-Taylor Dam, a perfect leading line to the mountains in remote Nevada. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
After our walk, we took a little bit more time around the area and then headed out. Along our slow and bumpy drive, I launched my drone into the sky to capture the two bodies of water split by the Pitt-Taylor Dam. Compared to the day before, this flight was windless and clear as far as the eye could see. Flying around brought me joy as I saw pelicans, stunning landscapes, and beauty in a place I would often overlook.
Our next stop would be a few hours north, for a short and quick micro-adventure.
Winnemucca Sand Dunes
A perfect example of when reality doesn’t meet expectation. We stopped at the Winnemucca Sand Dunes, a random collection of sand dunes along the Highway 95, to run around the dunes, hopefully go sledding or sand-boarding, but we quickly realized that was not going to be the case.
After parking and walking up the gradual slope of our first sand dune, Kristin and I looked at each with a nervous smile, “Surely we aren’t going to sliding down this!”
The dunes were a fun stop, pretty as well, but not what the images online made this place look like. Which is okay, this was a random micro-adventure along our day two journey, so we had to try and I tried! Like a foolish little boy overeager to slide down the dunes, we found the steepest section of the dune and sent it.
First, on my butt. That didn’t work.
Second, standing. That didn’t work.
Third, an acid drop onto the slope… faceplant.
That last attempt covered me in sand, cut open my pinky toe (maybe I shouldn’t have been shoeless), and had both Kristin and I laughing at my foolishness. While silly, I think this did set us up for the next hour of trying while not succeeding. The barriers fell away and we ran around with Chestnut, attempted to slide other slopes that still didn’t work, jumped off the ledge, and just laughed together.
After a while, the sun started to beat down upon us and the sand. Worried about Chestnut’s feet we set course across the dunes back to the van and lunch.
The dishes damage from our quick lunch of finishing left overs. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram.
The Not So Subtle Reminder That Things Add Up Quickly
It’s easy for me to get philosophical when tapping away at a keyboard and living within 72 square feet, but nothing was more obvious than the pile of dishes practically falling out of the bar sink after our “quick lunch”. Clearing out the refrigerator of our leftovers, we piled everything together for a caprese, brisket salad. Weird, yes. But, it worked and the dishes were stacked high.
Word of the wise, don’t let things build inside or leave a trail of messes, you’ll have to clean them up at some point. Tackle them head on now, so they don’t come up and bite you in the rumper later.
You’re welcome for the random diatribe and mansplaining. I’ll be here until the 25th.
Watching Rain Drip Down The Windshield
With the dishes done, we hit the road, north. After our sweaty and sandy outing, we needed to rinse off in some water. Zooming in and out of Google Maps, we found a river spot a few hours north, near Rome. Not the Rome most would think about when you say “I visited Rome” but a no-stoplight kinda farm town with a dramatic plateau lining the Owyhee River. Fun fact, this river is part of the Wild and Scenic Rivers designation and I photographed a campaign for Adventure Scientist back in 2021/22 for one of their data collection projects in the Pacific Northwest.
Turning off the highway, we headed to a boat launch and camping spot. With no intention of staying for more than a quick dip, we parked the van, found out the camping was free, and took a dip right away. Cooled down, a summer rainstorm came thundering across the landscape and started to pour rain. Sitting inside, looking out, we had two options; hit the road or sit and enjoy. We picked the second option.
Braving the rain, we set up Starlink and started getting some work done as the storm rained down on the windshield.
SUPing The Owyhee River
Once the thunder rolled away and our work was done for the day, I crawled into the van’s garage to pull out the stand-up paddle-boards. It was time to enjoy this river a little bit more. With a low flow and fish jumping, we pushed off the sandy bank. Kristin started with Chestnut and I paddled solo with a camera. I’m always worried to have the camera and Chestnut at the same time on the paddle-boards as he is a bit spontaneous, potentially flipping us, and swamping the camera. However, once I tuck away the camera into the dry-bag the worries are gone.
More than an hour passed as we paddled up the river and floated back to our starting place. Our bellies were grumbling for dinner, Chestnut was over the paddle-boards, and it was time to start settling in for the night.
Read Day Three:
The Summer Storm That Made a Photography Dream Come True
Packing Up Always Takes Longer Than Expected
Clothing, kitchen, coffee, SUPs, rock climbing gear, dog necessities all needs to fit into 72 square feet as well as Kristin, Chestnut (our 60 pound dog), and myself. It’s tight, our cabinets are often full, and adventure awaits us. Packing the van is a given when you go on a vanlife road trip like we are doing around Nevada, Idaho, and Utah, but there are so many little things you forget about until it is time to leave like finding someone to water your plants, cleaning the house so you can come home to a cleanish house, putting the mail on hold, and all that “adult” stuff we didn’t think about as kids. Growing up, road trips were a staple. Every holiday, besides Christmas, that I wasn’t swimming, the family packed up our “toys” and went somewhere in an RV. None of these RVs were fancy, but they got the job done. So, maybe that is why I love to road trip as much as I do, or, maybe it’s the freedom of the open road. I don’t really know, however this morning made it clear packing always takes longer than expected.
Clothing, kitchen, coffee, SUPs, rock climbing gear, dog necessities all needs to fit into 72 square feet as well as Kristin, Chestnut (our 60 pound dog), and myself. It’s tight, our cabinets are often full, and adventure awaits us. Packing the van is a given when you go on a vanlife road trip like we are doing around Nevada, Idaho, and Utah, but there are so many little things you forget about until it is time to leave like finding someone to water your plants, cleaning the house so you can come home to a cleanish house, putting the mail on hold, and all that “adult” stuff we didn’t think about as kids. Growing up, road trips were a staple. Every holiday, besides Christmas, that I wasn’t swimming, the family packed up our “toys” and went somewhere in an RV. None of these RVs were fancy, but they got the job done. So, maybe that is why I love to road trip as much as I do, or, maybe it’s the freedom of the open road. I don’t really know, however this morning made it clear packing always takes longer than expected.
And we are off… after a few stops
Around noon, we were packed, but a few stops still needed to be made. Kristin’s parents house to drop the plants off. Whole Foods to return a poor Amazon purchase. Target for batteries and a few essentials. Trader Joe’s for food. Walmart for shelf organizers (our cabinets were a mess). Costco for gas. Schatt’s Bakery in Reno for our favorite bread and some sweet treats.
The clock continued to tick as we made each stop. Overall, I would consider myself a laid back traveler, but today I was nothing but a ball of anxiety. My head kept spinning that we were running late and were not going to “make it anywhere”. I wanted to rush, check the boxes, and move along, but the reminder that “slow is fast” also raddled around in my head. Maybe missing my morning meditation was taking a toll on me, or the lack of road trips in the past two years. That go with the flow attitude seemingly was tossed out the window, I was a ticking time bomb.
Thankfully, the end of errands came.
Dropping off our plants, in a bucket, for Kristin’s parents. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
On The Road At 3PM
3:00pm; it’s finally time to hit the road and make our way through Northern Nevada into Idaho.
Our planning for this trip was different than most. We didn’t create a day to day itinerary, instead we plotted a course on Google maps, then found places along that route we wanted to visit. With a goal to stop as much as possible for micro-adventures, we were not sure where we day one would take us. Our original goal was Pyramid Lake, but we didn’t realize there was a permit system, so we kept driving north.
We did not have a destination in mind for sleeping, as we didn’t know how far we would get, but the land outside of the window was barren, spotted with green bushes that Chestnut enjoyed looked at. The speed limit signs read 75 miles per hour. Most town exits reminded you gas was a long ways off if you didn’t fill up now, often stating “Next Fuel 83 miles”, with some longer and some shorter stretches. But, we didn’t care as the indie folk playlist was queued with Lord Huron, Mumford and Sons, Ben Howard, Gregory Alan Isakov, and many more iconic artists curating the perfect mood for a road trip.
Finding Home For The Night In A Dust Storm
As the day’s light began to fade, we decided to take a risk on a wild camping spot at the Pitt-Taylor Dam in the middle of, well, nowhere. The only pieces of civilization we could see on the map was a prison about an hour drive away and the highway. I think that sums up most of the driving in Nevada. If you are not in Las Vegas, or Reno, you’re in no man’s land. Which, is strangely of comforting for me. Yes, I am an introvert, so being away from people is how I charge my batteries, however, the responsibility of self-preservation is always a nice touch. In many ways, this provides me with a heightened sense of respect for the places I travel, because I know the consequences become greater the farther removed one becomes. And, with the impending summer storm, that awareness was omnipresent.
The drone could barely hold its own in the sky, so this flight was short and to the point to capture an image of the van heading directly into the oncoming storm with an impenetrable dust front. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Bouncing down the one-lane dirt road, the van swayed side-to-side with each gust of wind. Dust pelted the side of the van with the continuous audible onslaught, tin-tin-tin-tin. Kristin and I wanted to drive fast, to find a spot to park the van, so we could begin the process of unwinding from the day, but the washboard road prevented rapid forward progression. Instead, we settled for a 10 mph crawl that felt even slower after the hours speeding along the highway at 75 mph. However, we made it. Nobody was insight, for a little while.
Where the open road meets the storm somewhere in Nevada. Photo by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Pulling into the lot and hopping out of the van for a quick stretch of the legs to find the “perfect parking spot” we watched the storm clear overhead and the sun come out. Gusts of wind still barraged us with dust, coating the inside and outside of the van, but we had found a place to lay our heads for the night. So, the unwinding process began:
Cook dinner; tonight was caprese salad with left over brisket from my parents
Set up Starlink
Stretch; I call this yoga, but really it is three cycles of Sun Salutation B
Finish any work that is outstanding/couldn’t be finished on the drive; tonight this had to wait, my body takes priority, I was going for a run
A Quick Run and Lake Dip
My busy brain wouldn’t stop. As a kid, the only thing that got rid of this was going for a swim. Today, the body movement is choice is still swimming, ideally 2 to 3 miles, but on road trips that isn’t always possible, so I run. Running isn’t easy for me, nor is it easy in a van because you get sweaty and we don’t have a shower in the van, so, I only run when there is a body of water to dip into. Thankfully, this campsite opens to a man-made lake. Yes, the lake is pretty much a mud bath, but I can deal with that later on. For now, it was time to put my headphones in (I forgot mine, so I borrowed Kristin’s) and set off.
When running, I listen to music or podcasts. For this evening’s run I started a podcast with Kyle Thierman and Chris Burkard about photography, surfing, creativity, and family. As my feet moved under me, this interview sucked me in and I lost track of what I was doing. My focus drifted into the conversation and I did everything I could to be a sponge, a fly-on-the-wall, soaking up as much knowledge as possible. As somebody who is self-taught in the photo and writing industry, any glimpse I can get into how somebody became who they are really helps me understand my own journey. So, podcasts like this one really help me improve my craft and understanding of the industry.
Zoned into the podcast and out of the run, the sun was setting as I arrived back to the van. Sweating, I grabbed a towel and headed directly for the muddy waters to cool down and rinse off. It worked… kind of.
It’s Late, But I Still Need To Write
Feeling clean enough to return to the van, I sloshed my way back home. It was late; 9:30 ish, but I still needed to upload the images, cull the images, color them, export, and then upload into this document. Then, write. Need is a strong word here. Nobody is requiring me to write about this journey or share these images. I am here for me, but I also made a promise to myself that I would try something different on this road trip.
A daily article to bring readers along for the journey.
That is what I have set out to create on this road trip. Will it happen, I hope so. However, 11:30pm came quickly, the images are edited, but the words are not done. I don’t have the perseverance to start writing an article at 11:30pm so, tomorrow I will have to finish putting words to paper. Digital paper that is. For tonight, I have done enough.
Goodnight.
Read Day Two:
Slowing Down To Meet The Moment
"Forgetfulness" a Poem by Dalton Johnson
"Forgetfulness" is a poem by Dalton Johnson published in his first book 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. This article also has a video of Dalton reading aloud his poem. You can purchase this book on Dalton Johnson's website or on Amazon.
FORGETFULNESS
Mindless destruction, wasteful wanderers, mankind, humans.
All lost, misunderstanding
mother nature. Living in waste
and under destruction;
diminishing nature till the
death of mother.
Human’s have forgotten:
what being mammal means. how mammals live.
who we are.
Order Your Copy Today: Buy on Amazon
Order Your Signed Copy Today:
Get your signed copy of 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. Dalton Johnson's first book of poetry. These 51 poems are his critique of American hustle culture told from the perspective of a young man returning to the world after years of living off the grid on less than $500 a month.
These poems capture the internal battle of consumerism, American greed, humans loss of connection with the natural world, and pokes fun at some of the absurd cultural norms of adulting. Each poem touches on different parts of American's superficial society in hopes of promoting the change from group thought to individuality. For it is at the individual level Johnson belives you unlock your true self.
As you read these poems take some time to think about what stirs inside of yourself to find where you can change and grow into the human you want to be today and tomorrow.
Please Note: Signed paperback will be shipping the middle of April, 2025 and should arrive by the end of April
"Containment" a Poem by Dalton Johnson
"Containment" is a poem by Dalton Johnson published in his first book 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. This article also has a video of Dalton reading aloud his poem. You can purchase this book on Dalton Johnson's website or on Amazon.
CONTAINMENT
You’ll find the self laughing, fighting, hurting, loving at the same time when
The ego is dead. But,
When the ego thrives the self Can’t jump with excitement nor Cry when filled with sorrow for
The ego confines the self. Preventing Self-expression, trapping that inner child, Containing any chance of embracement.
Yet, the self yells and thrashes,
clawing at the societal jail walls barehanded,
continuing past the point of Fingernail-less, bloody hands
Waiting for the ego to make a mistake and Leave the keys to the jail cell
Within reach of the little kid ready to play
Ready to take chances, fuel to fire, pushes to reach new heights, and To love all without bounds.
The trapped kid sees the moment, grabs the keys, and Locks away the ego,
Chancing self-destruction in self-expression.
Order Your Copy Today: Buy on Amazon
Order Your Signed Copy Today:
Get your signed copy of 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. Dalton Johnson's first book of poetry. These 51 poems are his critique of American hustle culture told from the perspective of a young man returning to the world after years of living off the grid on less than $500 a month.
These poems capture the internal battle of consumerism, American greed, humans loss of connection with the natural world, and pokes fun at some of the absurd cultural norms of adulting. Each poem touches on different parts of American's superficial society in hopes of promoting the change from group thought to individuality. For it is at the individual level Johnson belives you unlock your true self.
As you read these poems take some time to think about what stirs inside of yourself to find where you can change and grow into the human you want to be today and tomorrow.
Please Note: Signed paperback will be shipping the middle of April, 2025 and should arrive by the end of April
Gift's For An Adventurous Dad That Don't Suck
We all know at least one adventurer Dad in our lives who we want to spoil. Luckily, for me, that is my Dad. He’s a big fan of hot rods, not much of a camper, but always down for a hike. While I don’t always get him gifts for Father’s Day, his birthday, or the holidays, when I do he smiles and is grateful. Sometimes that gift is a pair of socks, he often laughs, but I figured it was time to get him something rad and thankfully, with my career as an adventure content creator, I have had the opportunity to test a lot of gifts that Dad’s would like. Heck, if I was a Dad, I would love these gifts! Maybe, I am just selfishly putting together a wishlist? Okay, let’s not go there. Here are epic gifts to give your Dad:
We all know at least one adventurer Dad in our lives who we want to spoil. Luckily, for me, that is my Dad. He’s a big fan of hot rods, not much of a camper, but always down for a hike. While I don’t always get him gifts for Father’s Day, his birthday, or the holidays, when I do he smiles and is grateful. Sometimes that gift is a pair of socks, he often laughs, but I figured it was time to get him something rad and thankfully, with my career as an adventure content creator, I have had the opportunity to test a lot of gifts that Dad’s would like. Heck, if I was a Dad, I would love these gifts! Maybe, I am just selfishly putting together a wishlist? Okay, let’s not go there. Here are epic gifts to give your Dad:
My Dad messing around on the edge near the top of the Chief in Squamish. Photo by Dalton Johnson, go follow him on Instagram
Our standards for testing and reviewing gear at The Travel Journal:
Here at The Travel Journal we have a dedicated group of gear testers [mostly myself, Dalton] who put hands on all the products we recommend below. Our recommendations are not sponsored, unless noted, and speak from the heart about every product. We share both the good and the bad. If you have any questions, or comments, about the product reviews, you can write me at dalton@dalton-johnson.com
The Lost Explorer Mezcal & Tequila:
Starting this off with a bold choice in a world where people are moving toward the NA world and neither me, or my Dad, drink often. However, The Lost Explorer award-winning mezcal and small-batch tequila, is not something to pass on. While most Dad’s struggle to sip on their whiskey, either the tequila, or mezcal, from The Lost Explorer is a great addition to any liquor cabinet that wont last long. I gave a bottle to my Dad this year, so we could drink together, and I’ve gotta say, after the first sip we both looked at each other with those, “damn, this is good” look. So, if your Dad is in the market for some tequila, or mezcal, add this to the list!
A few things I appreciate about this brand:
They market to the adventurous type… I mean, that name, come on so sick, and they have a blog worth reading, not just filled with SEO B.S.
They are winning awards for good there mezcal and tequila
They put craft front and center, not just another rebranded average agave drink
Orca Tango Wetsuit:
Orca has been making wetsuits for triathletes and open water swimmers for years. I love and use my open water wetsuit for swimming in Lake Tahoe, CA during the colder months of the when the water drops below 60F. So, if your Dad is into open water swims, check out that line of wetsuits, but, that’s not what I came here to talk about.
Orca just entered the surf world with a splash. Taking their incredible knowledge from triathlons and open water swimming, to enter the surf world. Orca’s new surf wetsuits, the Tango and Kabuki, are a perfect way to spoil any surfer Dad out there. Ideally, he wouldn’t just be riding white water, but, hey, you have to start somewhere.
Sonos Ace:
Quiet is the most under-rated gift one can give and these Sonos Ace noise cancelling headphones are hands down the best on the market I have gotten my hands on. These headphones block out all of those distracting noises that you really just don’t want to hear… like a baby crying (only half kidding, be responsible and tend to your kids correctly), dogs barking, vacuums, street noise, the roar of a tracker, etc. With these headphones, your Dad can plug into his favorite podcast and leave the stressful outside world out of his head.
Kristin cruising around Lake Tahoe’s bike path on the way to the beach. Photo by Dalton Johnson, go follow him on Instagram
Juiced E-bike:
There is nothing like ripping around on an e-bike and Juiced Bikes has made one of the most fun e-bike on the markets. I have personally tested six different brands of e-bikes and the Juiced Scorpion is hands-down my favorite because the seat is plush, the throttle makes you feel like you are on a motorcycle, and the suspension makes on-and-off road fun. I am not sure if Juiced intended for users to jump this beast, but I have taken it over a few jumps and landed smoothly every time. Long story short, if I can’t break this thing, your Dad is going to love it and enjoy it.
Ideal ways to use this bike:
Commuting to the beach
Afternoon trail rides are a delight, but this isn’t a mountain bike
The perfect addition to any RV trip where you park the RV and head out via bike
Blizzard
Blizzard Zero G Skis:
Does your Dad ski the backcountry? If so, it’s time you spoiled the hell out of him give him the gift of access. That is exactly what you are giving when you gift the Blizzard Zero G backcountry skis to the adventurous person in your life. I have been riding on these skis for a season now and will never look back.
They are incredibly light, work in powder, and function at a resort if he choses to ski those groomed runs at the resort. As a ski, this might be the one ski quiver you will ever need. The only draw back to these might be riding waist deep powder… but let’s be real, if you are in Japan, or Jackson Hole, gliding through pow like that, you are most likely going to have some powder skis.
Isle Switch Inflatable Sup:
When it comes to spoiling somebody who loves the water, the Isle Switch inflatable SUP is just that. Switching between a SUP and a sit-on-top kayak this playful design give the paddler the best of both worlds. I have used this to fish from and enjoy a day of kayaking with my dog on Lake Tahoe and haven’t been disappointed. Overall, the design is simple and clean. It is easy to switch between SUP and kayak on land; and the material is very durable, so I don’t worry when I am tossing it in the back of car with some sand on it or my dog is gripping his nails into the front while we paddle.
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Deep Thoughts On New-to-Me Term "Mid-Mountain Audience"
If your brainwaves are like mine, you haven't heard this term: Mid-mountain audience. The term speaks to the "average" outdoorsperson who is most likely going to buy your product if you market it correctly.
If your brainwaves are like mine, you haven't heard this term: Mid-mountain audience. The term speaks to the "average" outdoorsperson who is most likely going to buy your product if you market it correctly.
Market it correctly?
Yes, can you make the mid-mountain audience fall in love, connect, understand your product line? Product that isn't for top athletes or the beginner, but can you make 5.10 trad dad feel seen? What about that soccer mom who is running her first 10k, does she see herself in your work? How about that tech bro who paddle boards every weekend, but just for with his dog so he gets a tan?
That is the audience this term is hinting towards and according to OIA reports, it's the largest consumer market.
When I look at my portfolio, dalton-johnson.com , I see this is an audience I have served well for years. Starting with the water bottle shoots I first became "known for" in the 2017/18 years.
The shoots were all about the hang, the post or pre adventure. Maybe they were mid-hike slurping a water bottle. That evolved from a personal love for micro-adventures--if you don't know this term look up Alistair Humphrey's and your world is about to change--and the weekend warrior crowd. At that time, I was pursing my limits running ultras, summiting peaks, etc. my work was focused on the mid-mountain adventurers.
Why bring this up?
Sure, my body of work showcases the extremes (summiting Denali, surfing big waves, etc.) but that is because I live that and love that! However, that doesn't mean I don't photograph the average. In fact, I would say I often find myself photographing for the mid-mountain audience more than anything else.
A casual hike in Sedona, AZ leads to this portal. Photos by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Examples of Mid-Mountain Photography Work:
Day hiking the tallest peak in Lake Tahoe for Nike
Car camping and hot spring hang out for Coghlan's
Vanlife road trips for Tamron Americas
Climbing a via ferrata, with a guide in Tahoe, for Mountain Hardwear
Post surf beach hang with friends for MiiR
Cruising the Greek Islands for Star Clipper Cruises
Kayak-fishing on a small lake for Oru Kayak
I think you get it by this point. If you are not clear, I am here to help you and your brand, so slide into my email [dalton@dalton-johnson.com] and I can explain more.
Also, if you are looking for somebody to create new marketing assets for the mid-mountain audience let's get on a discovery call ASAP as you're brand is missing out on the largest market in the outdoor industry!
"Lying To Myself" a Poem by Dalton Johnson
"Lying To Myself" is a poem by Dalton Johnson published in his first book 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. This article also has a video of Dalton reading aloud his poem. You can purchase this book on Dalton Johnson's website or on Amazon.
LYING TO MYSELF
Words are written,
words are said,
words spark connection and disconnection between two people.
Exchanging words with others is important, but
it is more important to exchange truthful words with yourself.
The harsh reality is always present, but you have to choose
to have the conversations which need to be had.
Say:
That hurt, I love you,
stop what you are doing, you are a lier, a drug addict, a fool, a dolt.
You need to be truthful with yourself,
so you can be truthful to others.
For they deserve it.
Order Your Copy Today: Buy on Amazon
Order Your Signed Copy Today:
Get your signed copy of 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. Dalton Johnson's first book of poetry. These 51 poems are his critique of American hustle culture told from the perspective of a young man returning to the world after years of living off the grid on less than $500 a month.
These poems capture the internal battle of consumerism, American greed, humans loss of connection with the natural world, and pokes fun at some of the absurd cultural norms of adulting. Each poem touches on different parts of American's superficial society in hopes of promoting the change from group thought to individuality. For it is at the individual level Johnson belives you unlock your true self.
As you read these poems take some time to think about what stirs inside of yourself to find where you can change and grow into the human you want to be today and tomorrow.
Please Note: Signed paperback will be shipping the middle of April, 2025 and should arrive by the end of April
"Inertia" a Poem by Dalton Johnson
"Inertia" is a poem by Dalton Johnson published in his first book 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. This article also has a video of Dalton reading aloud his poem.
INERTIA
“If you can’t fly, then run
If you can’t run, then walk
If you can’t walk, then crawl but whatever you do,
you have to keep moving forward.”
For
An object at rest, will remain at rest.
And
An object in motion, will remain in motion.
For the change you wish to see
is unattainable,
if you yourself are not
the change you wish to be in this world.
Order Your Copy Today: Buy on Amazon
Order Your Signed Copy Today:
Get your signed copy of 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. Dalton Johnson's first book of poetry. These 51 poems are his critique of American hustle culture told from the perspective of a young man returning to the world after years of living off the grid on less than $500 a month.
These poems capture the internal battle of consumerism, American greed, humans loss of connection with the natural world, and pokes fun at some of the absurd cultural norms of adulting. Each poem touches on different parts of American's superficial society in hopes of promoting the change from group thought to individuality. For it is at the individual level Johnson belives you unlock your true self.
As you read these poems take some time to think about what stirs inside of yourself to find where you can change and grow into the human you want to be today and tomorrow.
Please Note: Signed paperback will be shipping the middle of April, 2025 and should arrive by the end of April
How To Make Money As An Adventure Photographer
Adventure photography can feel like a dream career because who doesn’t want to capture epic landscapes, document extreme sports, or share their passion for the outdoors with the world? Yet, turning that passion into a sustainable livelihood requires more than just snapping stunning images. In today’s ever-shifting creative marketplace, successful adventure photographers embrace multiple revenue streams, understanding that each avenue reinforces the others and builds long-term stability.
Adventure photography can feel like a dream career because who doesn’t want to capture epic landscapes, document extreme sports, or share their passion for the outdoors with the world? Yet, turning that passion into a sustainable livelihood requires more than just snapping stunning images. In today’s ever-shifting creative marketplace, successful adventure photographers embrace multiple revenue streams, understanding that each avenue reinforces the others and builds long-term stability.
Below, we’ll explore the core ways to make money as an adventure photographer. We’ll examine how each stream functions, why it matters, and how you can leverage them to create a thriving career. Even better, many of these methods rely on marketing your brand and expertise more than taking photographs themselves—proving that diversifying your income is as much about strategic promotion as it is about artistry.
Austin Smith-Ford making a nice turn during a photo-shoot for Dermatone Sunscreen. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Revenue Streams for Adventure Photographers
The first thing to notice is that only one of these income sources requires you to photograph. The rest are various forms of marketing and value-creation built on your photography brand. Let’s look at each stream in turn:
Photoshoots
By definition, these are assignments where you’re paid to go on location, set up gear, and capture imagery for clients—be it a commercial campaign for an outdoor brand, an editorial spread for a travel magazine, or a sponsored athlete feature. Photoshoots remain the most visible “traditional” way to earn money, but they also demand significant time: scouting, shooting, post-production, and client communication.Digital Products
E-books, Lightroom presets, Photoshop actions, digital backgrounds, or mobile wallpapers—these are assets you create once and sell repeatedly. Although generating digital products involves upfront work (planning, design, testing), once they’re live on your website or a platform like Gumroad, they can produce revenue with minimal ongoing effort.Prints
Fine-art prints of your most compelling adventure photographs appeal to collectors, décor-conscious consumers, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to bring a bit of wilderness into their homes or offices. High-quality prints (metal exhibitions, framed canvases, limited-edition runs) capture premium price points. The trick is maintaining consistent branding—your website must showcase a curated print shop, and you must promote it regularly through social media and newsletters.Books
Coffee-table photo books or instructional guides position you as both an artist and an authority. A well-designed book can be sold directly through your website or via retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or independent outdoor shops. Books take considerable time and investment to produce—writing, editing, layout design, securing ISBNs, and managing print runs—but they become a powerful marketing tool that amplifies your reputation and earns royalties or flat fees when sold.Courses
Sharing your expertise via online or in-person workshops bridges revenue and community building. You might teach a one-hour Lightroom-editing masterclass on Udemy, host a weekend adventure-photography retreat at a national park, or produce a multi-week online course on action-sports composition. Courses often require an upfront commitment—curriculum planning, video production, location logistics—but they can generate significant income, especially if you create a signature program that resonates with aspiring photographers.Influencing
If you cultivate a sizable social-media following, brands may pay you to post sponsored content, promote products, or take over their channels for a day. Influence deals often pay based on audience size, engagement rates, and niche alignment, so travel-focused brands, camera companies, or adventure gear manufacturers may see you as a valuable partner. Influence income is effectively a hybrid of brand marketing and content creation: you’re leveraging your audience’s trust to endorse products or services.Speaking Engagements
Public speaking at conferences, photography festivals, industry panels, or outdoor retailer events offers both prestige and income. As a presenter, you may receive an honorarium, travel stipend, or a flat fee for keynote talks on subjects like “Storytelling Through Adventure Photography” or “Building a Brand in the Outdoor Space.” Beyond immediate revenue, speaking helps establish you as a thought leader, making it easier to sell other products—books, courses, workshops—down the line.Image Licensing
Licensing your images—whether to editorial publications, advertising agencies, or stock libraries—can look daunting at first, but it’s one of the most profitable passive revenue streams once you understand the basics. License fees vary widely based on usage (print, digital, social media), duration (six months, one year, two years), exclusivity (one-time use or exclusive rights) and region (local, national, global). Every licensing contract you negotiate should clearly define where (usage), how long (duration), and exclusivity the client can use your images.
Sailing into the sunset while on assignment for surf hotel Rancho Santana Nicaragua. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Why Multiple Streams Matter
Relying solely on photoshoots is risky—client briefs can dry up, budgets can shrink, or travel restrictions can halt assignments. By diversifying, you stabilize cash flow: when editorial assignments slow, digital products and image licensing keep revenue trickling in. Plus, when you produce a new book, course, or print, you’re effectively marketing your brand, which in turn drives more photoshoot inquiries. It’s all interconnected.
In fact, many of these “non-photo” income paths are mostly marketing disguised as revenue. Publishing a book can attract new clients; launching a course grows your email list; exhibiting prints raises awareness and credibility. The effort to create and sell these products is also an investment in your overall visibility—amplifying your primary offering: adventure photography services.
Arctery’x Ambassador flashing a boulder in Joshua Tree. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Breaking Down Income In Three Buckets: Passive, Semi-Passive, and Working
In The Adventure Photographer’s Playbook, I outline how to categorize your revenue into three buckets: passive, semi-passive, and working income. This framework helps you prioritize your time and understand where you want to direct your creative energy.
Passive Income
These streams require upfront work but minimal ongoing involvement. Examples include:
Books: Once you’ve finalized the manuscript and paid for the first print run, royalty payments trickle in without further effort on your part (beyond occasional marketing pushes).
Print Sales: If you set up a print-on-demand system through sites like Fine Art America, customers can order prints directly; your only role is occasional promotion.
Online Courses: Once recorded and launched, courses hosted on platforms like Teachable or Skillshare can generate revenue each month as new students enroll.
Investments: Although not directly tied to photography, investing photo-related profits or passive-income dividends back into diversified assets can create long-term financial stability.
Whenever you can expand your passive-income offerings, you reduce stress during lean seasons of photoshoot work.
Semi-Passive Income
This category demands periodic attention to maintain or grow:
Image Licensing: You upload images to stock libraries (e.g., Adobe Stock, Getty Images) or negotiate one-off licensing deals (e.g., for a tourism board’s annual ad campaign). You might need to re-tag images, update metadata, or renegotiate terms.
Contracted Work (e.g., Video Edits): A client might hire you to edit footage from a recent shoot into a short promotional video. You complete the project, then move on; repeat commissions may follow.
Gear Rentals: If you own specialized cameras, drones, or lighting rigs, you can rent them to local photographers or production companies. You still maintain and manage bookings, but the equipment generates revenue when idle.
Social-Media Collaborations: Some brand partnerships pay on a rolling basis—if you post weekly or monthly content. While you must create new assets regularly, you rarely start from zero.
Semi-passive streams are ideal for filling the gaps between major shoots and maintaining a steady income.
Working Income
This is revenue that directly trades your time and energy for money:
Custom Photo Assignments: Whether it’s a multi-day expedition with a brand ambassador or a destination shoot for an editorial, these gigs require on-location presence, extensive travel, and post-production.
Creative Development Projects: Commissioned storytelling projects (e.g., a long-form photo essay on a remote climbing community) often involve significant planning, days or weeks in the field, and meticulous editing.
Consulting or Marketing Services: You might offer one-on-one consulting—teaching another photographer how to break into adventure photography—requiring hour-long calls or in-person workshops.
Working income fuels your immediate expenses and creative budget, but if you rely exclusively on these assignments, you risk burnout and feast-or-famine cycles. The goal is to balance working income with passive and semi-passive streams.
Flyfishing in Belize on assignment for Turneffe Island Resort. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Demystifying Photo Licensing
Licensing images can feel complex—usage rights, duration, exclusivity clauses, territory definitions—all of it can seem like alphabet soup. Simplify your approach by focusing on three core questions:
Usage: Where will the image live?
The usage clause defines the channels where the client can display your photo: digital (websites, social media, email newsletters), print (magazine ads, billboards, catalogues), broadcast (television, streaming ads), or internal (company presentations). Always clarify if the license includes all digital channels (sometimes called “full digital usage”) or just specific platforms (e.g., “organic and paid social media only”).Duration: How long do they want the rights?
Common durations range from six months to two years. Many companies avoid using an image after a certain period, as branding and marketing campaigns evolve. Be wary of “in perpetuity” licenses—if you grant someone unlimited, forever use of your image, you forfeit future licensing fees. Whenever possible, negotiate for a finite timeframe so you can license the same asset again later.Exclusivity: Can you sell the image to other clients?
Licensing deals may be exclusive (the client is the only one who can use that image for the agreed duration and territory) or non-exclusive (you retain the right to sell the image to other clients, often at lower rates). Exclusive licenses command higher fees, but they limit your ability to generate income from that file until the exclusivity period ends.
Here are a few typical client requests you’ll encounter:
Full Digital: “We want to use this image for all digital marketing—email campaigns, website banners, e-book covers, social media posts, and digital advertising.” This is a broad grant, so price it accordingly.
Organic & Paid Social: “We only need rights to post the image on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok—both sponsored ads and unpaid posts.” Because this is narrower in scope, fees can be lower than “full digital.”
Print: “We’d like this for magazine ads, event banners, and in-store displays.” Print usage often carries a premium because of higher production costs and perceived longevity.
One-Time Use: “We need this image for the cover of our magazine’s May issue.” A limited “one-time use” license is simpler to negotiate and typically costs less than multi-channel rights but still compensates you for major placement.
Fixed Term (6, 12, or 24 Months): “We’d like rights to this photo for a year across all our websites.” Clients understand that two-year-old imagery may feel stale; shorter durations allow you to relicense to other clients later.
By insisting on clear usage, duration, and exclusivity parameters, you avoid confusion and protect your long-term earning potential. The Adventure Photographer’s Playbook dives deeper into real-world licensing scenarios, provides sample contract language, and offers rate-sheet guidelines so you can price confidently.
👉 Learn more about licensing in the Playbook
Kayaking to a glacier in Alaska. Photograph by Dalton Johnson, follow him on Instagram
Putting It All Together
Creating a sustainable adventure-photography business means embracing all these income paths, not just the traditional photoshoot model. When you design a career built on passive, semi-passive, and working income, you create financial resilience. During lean periods of assignment work, your books, prints, and courses can continue to generate revenue. When licensing deals slow, custom workshops or consulting can pick up the slack.
Ultimately, your goal is to let each revenue stream reinforce the others. A captivating book can drive new licensing inquiries; a successful online course can funnel students into high-end workshops; a well-negotiated exclusive license can fund your next expedition. As your brand grows, each income source becomes more valuable—allowing you to command higher rates, reach wider audiences, and embark on more ambitious projects.
If you’re ready to structure your photography career around these principles, The Adventure Photographer’s Playbook is your step-by-step guide. Dalton Johnson distills years of experience as a full-time adventure photographer into practical frameworks, pricing templates, and marketing strategies—everything you need to earn money and build a lasting business in the outdoor space.
👉 Get your copy of The Adventure Photographer’s Playbook and start diversifying your income today.
Traveling To Egypt Anytime Soon With a Camera?
I paired up with Tamron Americas to bring to life a 1500 word guide, filled with images, about photographing historical monuments in Egypt. This story is focused on sailing/cruising the Nile, visiting the ancient sites of Luxor, visiting museums, and, of course, photographing the pyramids.
Personally, this project was one in a lifetime, as I achieved a childhood goal of visiting every continent. Finishing with Egypt, a childhood fascination, I couldn't be more in shock. Before I write any more of a sob story about achieving childhood dreams, here is a taste of the article:
I paired up with Tamron Americas to bring to life a 1500 word guide, filled with images, about photographing historical monuments in Egypt. This story is focused on sailing/cruising the Nile, visiting the ancient sites of Luxor, visiting museums, and, of course, photographing the pyramids.
Personally, this project was one in a lifetime, as I achieved a childhood goal of visiting every continent. Finishing with Egypt, a childhood fascination, I couldn't be more in shock. Before I write any more of a sob story about achieving childhood dreams, here is a taste of the article:
Screenshot of the article on Tamron’s website.
How To Photograph Historical Landmarks In Egypt
Photographing historical landmarks in Egypt requires tough decisions—starting with what to pack. My bag is ready, but weight is a problem. I’m headed along the Nile River from Cairo to Abu Simbel with the goal of capturing Egypt’s iconic landmarks through my lens. But the plane’s strict weight limits mean I can’t take everything I want.
Now comes the hard part. Do I ditch clothing and smell? Do I leave a few camera essentials behind? Maybe no computer? Hmm… Staring at my bags on the floor, I know the answer. I don’t want to admit it, but I have to. Laughing, I accept my reality and say to myself: Well, I’m just going to smell bad while I am photographing Egypt.
By Guest Contributor Dalton Johnson
What You’ll Learn in This Post:
How to photograph historical landmarks in Egypt from Cairo to Abu Simbel
Essential travel photography gear for harsh environments and museum interiors
Tips for shooting iconic sites like the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and ancient temples
Techniques for low-light photography inside tombs and crowded museums
How to balance capturing images with fully experiencing each location
Finish reading the article at the link below:
https://tamron-americas.com/blog/photograph-historical-landmarks-egypt/
Special thanks goes out to Abercrombie & Kent USA , Mohamed Rehim, and Ahmed Mahgoub for the on the ground support and education.