I saw a video of AJ that was posted in a Boulder Facebook group where they were playing the ukulele while singing in a field. I loved seeing that video. It was such a pretty and peaceful thing to watch and listen to. I messaged AJ and we started chatting about their music, they sent me a list of upcoming performance dates and I planned to see them ASAP!

I finally made time to see AJ play her music at the Louisville Farmer’s Market this past weekend. AJ is a great person and performer. As they played their music and sang, many people walked up to the stage to give tip money. Every time this happened, AJ acknowledged that person and interrupted themself singing to thank them! AJ didn’t let anything unplanned phase them. A freight train even came by for a good 5 minutes blowing its horn and AJ laughed, kept singing and started playing songs about trains and railroads!

Check out AJ’s music @montanasandmusic

My parents have always taken my sister and I on vacations every July. Our trips varied from driving to Northern Minnesota from Iliinois or driving 2,000 miles from Illinois to Glacier National Park in Montana when I was about 8 years old. Years later, we occasionally made trips out to the Rocky Mountains, but it had been at least 4 years since we were all out West again. This year, although we weren’t all together, my parents drove out to Colorado and met me in Boulder. We left for a week long trip through Southwest Colorado. This is a collection of images from this trip through the Great Sand Dunes, historic Durango, Mesa Verde National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Breckenridge. It was incredible to spend a week straight with my parents. Since I moved away from home, we hardly ever get to spend so much time together. It was so important and meaningful to me.

Go tell someone you love and appreciate them today :)

Boulder Colorado Adventure Photographer

Boulder Musician

Southwest Colorado Road trip