Gorge Trip 2012 – Mini College Buddy Reunion

My friends I made in college will be friends for life.

Even though most of us don’t live near each other anymore, nothing can keep brothers apart.

While we don’t necessarily need any outside influence, nothing can bring us together quite like Dave Matthews Band. Varying levels of appreciation for this band don’t matter, we are all fans of what happens on a DMB weekend. Labor Day 2012, four friends converged on central Washington state to debauch and sing. It was a celebration of life and happiness. Conversation topics have changed quite a bit in the last 10 years, but the quality is just the same.

To the buddies who couldn’t make the trip, your presence was missed and we drank your share…

The gallery below is huge, but it’s filled with fun images of awesome people, so it is what it is…

You can also view the finished images in a larger format in the flash gallery linked below:

http://matthewandersonphotography.com/gorge_2012/

SLO Farmers Market 8/23/12 – Street Photography

San Luis Obispo… Wow…

Since we moved here, I’ve been waiting for the massive, dirty, dark secret of this place to come out. There has to be a reason that a section of the California coast isn’t hyper-congested and intensely commercialized…

Is there a vampire or zombie problem I haven’t encountered yet? Will the winds shift and blow wastewater treatment plant air past my nose for half the year? Is there a mime school somewhere nearby that I haven’t heard of?

So far, nada.

I’ve surmised that right about the time when quality of life becomes someone’s primary concern, happiness gravity seems to pull them this way.

One of the primary indicators that this place is focused on awesomeness has to be their weekly celebrations of quality and deliciousness. That’s right, what most American towns reserve for an annual celebration, SLO does weekly. They call it a “farmer’s market”, but that’s just a thinly veiled misnomer for a party. Food, music, people, sun and stars… this is a great way to spend your Thursday evening… EVERY Thursday evening… See what I saw this week below…

If you want to come visit us in our new home, might I suggest coming on a Thursday?

Un-Dirty Thirty? – Birthday Camping

Comfortable with current life transitions and all the wonderful things that come with them, I had no fear of hitting the landmark age of 30 as I originally anticipated. In line with the transitions, a celebration of my 30th revolution around the earth had to be low-key and modest. Some good pals, some out-of-doors, sunshine, fire, stars, tequila, wine, and scrabble Cheeze-Its all came together to spell a beautiful weekend near Lopez Lake.

We smiled… proof below:

Thanks to Kayla, David, Kiki and Roland for such a great weekend! You guys are the best!

Leave a comment if you have a favorite image or something!

Mc40 Visits SLO

David McFadyen made a trip up to our new home to visit his old home. He graciously showed me around to some of his favorite spots in the area, and you can see the photographic results below. Locations featured are: Bishop’s Peak, Railroad Trestle (specific name is lost on me), and Pirate’s Cove…

Lots more exploring to be done in this wonderful place!

Thanks for coming David!