Stopping Without Judgment

On a recent trip to visit Paul and the Palouse, I didn’t expect my favorite moment of a day’s exploration to be an unplanned stop on the side of a dirt road. But somehow that’s how it turned out.

A loose plan had been made to spend a day exploring Heyburn State Park and the St. Joe River, and possibly take some photos along the way. It was this last idea that led to my favorite moment of the day.

An unplanned stop

Not far into our trip, I pulled over to take some photos of a clump of trees not far off the road, but while taking the photo I saw in the distance something much more interesting: a small white chapel.

Paul and Jessica agreed to what I stated would be a “two-minute detour” and we drove to the Freeze Community Church. Well, two minutes turned into thirty, and what was the best part of the day’s exploration.

We pulled up to the chapel and everyone spent some time doing their own thing. I set up my tripod to take my photo, Paul went and found a pheasant, and Jessica had a ton of homework so she stayed in the car and worked on that.

After a little, we jumped back in the car. We drove back toward the highway, to another vantage point of the church. And here is where my magic moment happened.

Paul and Jessica opted to stay in the car while I set up my second photo. 

A photo all alone

It was an outstanding Fall day. Overcast, a little windy, cool, and threatening rain. And while I stood there setting up the photo is was just me.

All I heard was the rustling tall grass behind me, all I felt was the wind on my back and my hands on my camera gear, and I knew I could be there as long as I needed. I knew that Paul and Jessica were fine waiting for me to take my photo, and they were already enjoying their day.

I spent several minutes soaking in the experience and taking my photo. I was outside, I was with people I loved, I was taking photos, and there was no judgment. I had companionship (which I love in the outdoors) and I had all the time I needed.

How grateful I am to have been able to stop and take some time out. If I had been with people who were in a rush, had scheduled a packed day, or had not been open to stopping early in our trip then it wouldn’t have been possible. Slowing down had made my day.