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This past week, Shonna and I headed north to visit her Dad and family. It’s a seven-hour drive from here, and we haven’t been up there in quite some time. We planned these dates awhile ago, and thankfully both of our workloads were a little more manageable right now, with good weather for the trip.

Shonna’s parents own a small campground northwest of Fox Creek called Poplar Ridge RV Park. It’s a pretty area with rolling hills and forests, and they’ve spent years adding amenities and improvements. If I were on a long road trip south from Alaska or points north, I would be pleasantly surprised to pull in here for a rest. It’s close to the highway for convenience but far enough down the access road to be quiet and peaceful.

With power, water, and showers, it was plenty comfortable. They had a trailer set up for us, so we certainly weren’t roughing it. One evening, Shonna’s aunt, uncle, and cousin came out from town for dinner, and it was good to slow down with nowhere to be. We also toured around Fox Creek so Shonna could reminisce and see what had changed. After thirty years of marriage, it was nice to revisit some of the places I hear about in her stories.

On Tuesday, the four of us drove to Whitecourt to spend time with Shonna’s brother Cody and his family. He had offered to take us up the Athabasca River on his jet boat, so we met him at the launch. Shonna and her Dad lounged in the back while I stood beside Cody with my camera ready. They’ve seen plenty of wildlife on this river.
Every time I take the camera out, I learn something new, usually by making a mistake. This time, I left my new DJI Action Pro 5 in the car, not wanting to keep everyone waiting. That was foolish, since this kind of trip is exactly what the camera is designed for. I could have clamped it to the windshield, pressed record, and left it running. Instead, I relied on my phone for short video clips.

Fortunately, I had my Canon camera and managed to photograph bald eagles and an osprey. Even with the camera settings dialed in, I learned that a jet boat cannot simply shut down and idle on a fast-moving river. They are designed for shallow water but must keep moving at a good speed. Cody explained that propeller boats can’t operate here because some stretches are less than a foot deep. His ability to read the river was impressive, and it was clear you need to know what you’re doing.

So there I was, trying to capture moving targets on a bright sunny day, over reflective water, from a moving platform. The odds weren’t great, so the fact that I got anything worth keeping feels like a win. The birds of prey shots were fine but nothing special. Just as we turned back, Cody and Shonna spotted a black bear swimming across the river, an unexpected treat.
None of the shots from the river are good enough for reference, but I never know where inspiration might come from. Seeing wildlife in the wild is always worth it.Even without the river encounters, we enjoyed some friendly domestic critters. Shonna’s parents’ dog, Jetta, is a classic rural yard dog. Her job is to bark at strangers, but once she warmed up, we were fast friends. I like that her grey matches mine.
Shonna’s brother’s dog, Tess, is a bundle of energy with no slow setting. I’m surprised she sat still long enough for me to take a photo. Go ahead, try to take the puck. I dare you.
But the star of the show was their new kitten, Minnie. Already a people cat, she was affectionate, vocal, and had an intoxicating purr. We joked that they would have to check our bags before we left to be sure she wasn’t coming home with us.
Whenever I photograph dogs or cats, I want to paint them, and Minnie was especially photogenic. I now have some strong reference shots, though with commissions waiting and a list of wildlife paintings underway, I don’t know when I’ll get to them. That is why the idea of ever retiring feels ridiculous. There are too many animals to paint.
On the way home Wednesday, we stopped at the cabin I often rent with friends so I could finally show it to Shonna. I had checked ahead and the owners said we were welcome to drop by between guests. Shonna and the owners have heard plenty about each other, so the introduction was overdue.

People sometimes ask why Shonna and I don’t go to the cabin together. The truth is she likes projects and keeping busy, while I go there to do nothing with my buddy Darrel. Let’s face it, when I’m away, she also gets the house to herself, so who’s really getting the break? At least now she has some context for my old men at the cabin stories.

I’m not a fan of long drives, but this trip was good. The secondary highway had light traffic both ways, the weather cooperated, and I’m glad Shonna got to see her family. It wasn’t really a vacation, but it was a welcome break from our work.

Trips like this remind me that inspiration doesn’t just come from the studio. Whether it’s a bear crossing a river, an osprey overhead, or a kitten purring in my lap, these encounters all feed the work I do when I sit down to paint.

Cheers,
Patrick