Ruminator

Photo by: Tim Bindner Today I began my trek in the woods with an intention in mind. I fulfilled that purpose but also learned some things along the way. I needed to shoot one more structure for my book to be complete, so I started out on a 27 degree day in search of this elusive structure. As I descended Cold Friday Road, I had not seen a car in miles. I made my way down the narrow road, passing the horse camp-ground, across the tiny bridge and onto the gravel. I pulled up to the left of the gate marking the Disabled Hunters Trail, got out of my car, grabbed my gear, made my way around the locked gate and headed up the gravel road. As the crow flies, my destination was close, but the trail would take my 2.84 miles one way to get to my destination. I walked uphill on the gravel road. It was eerily silent, other than the crunching of my boots on the ice and frozen rocks below me. The wind was blowing and snow was falling from the trees. The silence was soon broken and my mind imagined wh...

Photo by the owner Sometimes it is the smallest things in life that bring the most joy. Today one of those things occurred that reminded me of that joy doesn’t have to come from money, trips, items, adventures, but a simple gesture. Every day during the week, if it is not raining, I take a few walks around the cull-da-sac by my house. A two loop trek nets me about 1800+ steps and .9 miles.  I am trying to get 10,000 steps a day, and being outdoors is much better than trying to achieve my goal on a treadmill. In early spring and late summer, a few kids at the turn of the cull-da-sac catch the school bus.  During those times it is light out and I begin my walks as the sun comes up.  I go later in the winter because of safety reasons (being dark).  About 7 months ago, I began taking a dog treat with me to give to a beautiful white Labrador named Bailey.  She would see me coming while her master was waiting for the bus and she would start shaking, her tail getting faster as I approached an...

Photo by: Tim Bindner One of my favorite things to do scared me today.  I can laugh now, but at the moment it was not so funny. I sat out to locate and shoot the Hog Barn Primitive Site, along the Adventure Hiking Trail in Harrison-Crawford State Forest.  I was on the road at 7:40am.  The temperature on my car dash showed 34 degrees, and the overnight dusting of snow illuminated the trees along my drive down Highway 62. As I entered O’Bannon Woods State Park, I traveled down State Road 462 (Old Forest Road) past the guard shack and Fire Tower.  I turned right on toward the campground and entered the visitor parking area. I grabbed my gear, locked my car, and headed toward the Iron Bridge Horse Trail.  There was no-one around and my descent into the forest surrounding me was quite peaceful, yet a bit unnerving.  I had never been this direction, but had a good idea where I would be heading. The gravel road was a slow descent and within 0.3 miles I had reached the intersection of the Fire...

Photo by: Tim Bindner Photography I do not believe in New Year’s Resolutions, but I believe in challenging myself.  With that in mind, I plan to do a photo project in 2021.  Nothing fancy but fun and challenging, which ultimately is my goal. Located a short drive from my house is a state park within its borders is a 25 mile trail named the Adventure Hiking trail.  Along the trail there are 5 wooden shelters that hikers can use to rest or sleep overnight during this 3 day hike.  Each location is first come, first serve, and they are all considered primitive. Each structure has a roof, but some have four walls, and some have no walls.  Others have doors that close, and yet others have door opening with nothing between the cabin and the outside.  Others have windows, and then there are those that have solid walls.  One has a gravel/dirt floor and the others have wooden planks for floors.  None would rate as a 5-star accommodation, but all are very welcoming when you are hiking 25 miles, e...

Photo by: Tim Bindner Sunday January 3 rd , 2021.  7:38am ET and I am in my Subaru headed through the darkness toward a park for a solo hike.  Little did I know that the word solo would be an appropriate phrase? The previous day and overnight the rains fell.  I got up early, looked outside and wavered on heading out or not.  My hiking partner had texted me the night before and stated he was trying to stay in good graces with his wife.  Since he had been gone 4+ hours the previous three days, he stayed home, which meant the choice of location, whether to go, and distance was all on me. As I drove down Highway 62 toward O’Bannon Woods State Park, the wet roads, darkness and overcast skies made me question my decision on if I should go or not.  Muddy trails, bad lighting (for pictures), and the fact it was the last day of hunting season crept into my mind, and the doubts flooded my brain.  I fought the urge to turn around and made it to my destination under the shadow of the fire tower at...

Photo by: Tim Bindner I recently listened to a photography podcast, wherein the host interviewed a celebrity photographer.  I’m not here to talk about that podcast or photographer, but a message I got from the podcast that resonated with me deeply. The message was simple.  Don’t follow the ‘ SHOULDA’s’ .  It bases the message on what you should and should not do when photographing, but I am discussing this a bit deeper, at least pertaining to my life.   The quote from the interview states “ If they come up with a rule that you SHOULD do it.  Great.  Let’s break that rule tomorrow ”.–Bjoern Kommerell. I have already documented the fact that growing up I was told how to act, speak, dress, believe, behave, think and even feel.  I have also written about my teenage years and how I questioned all of this guidance I was given, or that was forced upon me.  The older I get, the more I question it, and now question almost everything. My parents, my friends, the media, neighbors, social media, e...