The Colorado Story
Mr. & Mrs. Heim
Ever wonder what it would be like to bring your photographer with your on your wedding trip? Well, wonder no less. As beautiful as that first photograph is of the Heim’s, we have to roll it back to the beginning. Here’s me, in the backseat of a Subaru Crosstrek with the bride and groom just leaving Stevens Point, Wisconsin. I imagine you’re wondering how I landed myself in the back seat of my client’s car, am I right? Let’s just say, it helps when you’re a photographer and your best friends decide to get married!
Our first stop? A hole in the wall bar and restaurant in Saint Charles, Minnesota — with the most underwhelming Midwest sandwiches on the menu.
A short skip and a hop later
Headed to Redrocks, Hello 31
Happy Birthday to me!
I was on a blow up air mattress at the Heim’s house just waking up from a two hour nap when I woke up, rolled off the bed and headed for the patio door. When I opened it up and walked outside, I was greeted with, “Amy, how would you like to go to Redrocks on your birthday?” S A Y L E S S, F R I E N D S. Gave a good ol thumbs up and that was that.
Next Stop? Frisco, Colorado
Grant gets a haircut
Into the mountains we go to lose our minds and find our souls… or something like that.
Crested Butte ➡️ Thai Food 😩
Cait’s favorite… mine, not so much.
We decided to embark on a bit of exploration into the mountains, followed a dirt road, found a field of wild flowers and a whole lot of mountain.
July 11th, 2023
The day the Heim’s to-be embarked on retrieving their marriage certificate in Gunnison, Colorado. .
The Big Day
July 12th, 2023 Crested Butte, Colorado
Emerald Lake
Our original plan was to make a 12 mile round trip hike up into the Rockies, but due to altitude sickness and adjusting to our new found heights, we settled on Emerald Lake for the bride and groom’s official wedding grounds. It was a beautiful, hour long drive, out on a dirt mountain rode (would suggest a rugged terrain vehicle).
Officially, Mr. & Mrs. Heim
Private vows overlay with music
What happened next?
Our trip didn’t stop at the private vow ceremony at Emerald Lake. We drove back into town, taking photographs along the unsaved and rooted path, and stopped for a drink at an outside bar connected to a local pizza joint called The Secret Stash [must try]. Following, I took to a night of camping off the grid and the newlyweds had the night to themselves, as newlyweds typically do. The next morning we met in town for breakfast from a jamming little local place called Butte Bagels in Crested Butte [I would suggest ordering to-go, the line and wait was hefty — but well worth it].
July 14th, 2023, Friday
Headed to Strawberry Hotsprings
Evan, Cait’s long lost cousin joined us for a night of camping near Steamboat Springs, Dry Lake Campground. After departing Steamboat Springs, we headed north and stopped at Half Mile Beer with Grandpaw Sinclair, detoured [briefly] in Deadwood [bizarre tourist area] and eventually made our way to the Badlands, South Dakota.
Badlands, National Park SD
Eastbound
Two Nights in the Badlands
The first night in the Badlands, we drove up through an entry point for free camping, we had to drive a ways down a dirt road to find a relatively flat space for us to camp. Waking up in the morning to the overlooking bluff was breathtaking. We spent the day driving a massive loop around and through the Badlands. We saw Bison, Prairie Dogs, and Mountain goats, as well as a boat load of other touring travelers. Driving through Buffalo Gap was incredible. We had Bison crossing the road, I popped out of the car window so fast, I tried doing it a second time and wondered how I majestically crawled out the window the first time. We had multiple encounters with Bison, some that put on a show, some that got close and grunted at us as it crossed the road and another that walked straight toward the car, like a runway model for Vogue Magazine. The second night was less pleasing, more rather hilarious and some anxiety. We had high winds pick up and my cheap tent imploded on itself. Thankfully, I have a Bivy Sac, that allowed me to sleep outside without the need for the dead tent. In the morning, we packed up and continued east. Several days later, after arriving home, I decided to create this story photo blog! No two adventures will ever be the same, but if you're looking for an adventure photographer to take with you on your trip, look no further.
