Archive for January, 2009

Patagonia Exhibition…

Brian Wedge Photography

   Our traveling exhibition “STRANDED: The Sea Turtles and Fishermen of Baja California Sur, Mexico” is back in New England!!  Our good friends at the Patagonia Clothing Company are hosting the latest version of our exhibition in the Freeport, Maine store.  If you’re anywhere near Portland or Freeport, go check it out… learn a few things about the environment, buy some great quality / sustainably constructed clothing/gear and have fun.

Brian Wedge Photography

    In addition to the exhibition, we will be delivering a few more of our famous slide talks on the “behind the scenes” of our assignment in Baja in the coming months.  The slide talks are always a blast and we promise you’ll learn something, laugh a lot and go home wanting to help make our world an even better place.  As always, our talks are either free or 100% in support of a charity we believe in.  We’ll post the exact dates when they get finalized.

Brian Wedge Photography

    We’ve posted a link to the Patagonia Store directions here, and in the meantime, you can preview the exhibition online at www.brianwedge.com/stranded.  We’re proud to partner with Patagonia because we share many of the same core values that are rooted in an absolute commitment to quality, sustainability and responsibility.  Patagonia, like Brian Wedge Photography is also a fellow member of 1% For The Planet… putting their ethics to action and making a significant impact toward improving the world we live in.

Links:

The background story on the assignment in Baja

Patagonia, Freeport, ME Directions

STRANDED Exhibition link

Brian Wedge Photography

 

Dogsledding By The Sea

Brian Wedge Photography

Brian Wedge Photography

My guess is that there’s not too many places in the United States east of Alaska where you can go dogsledding and enjoy ocean views during your trip.  Luckily for me, two old friends from Outward Bound invited me up to the Camden, ME area for a day of dogsledding.  (Alright, I invited myself up there… but what are friends for?)

Brian Wedge Photography

Aimee and Ben are wonderful folks with a family of 14+ “sled pets” (sled dogs) who have lovingly developed an incredible relationship with each of them.  If you have never been dogsledding… go… go right now.  It’s akin to skiing deep powder, to sailing on an old wooden boat, or catching a perfect glassy wave.  It’s quiet, it’s pure and utterly beautiful.

Brian Wedge Photography

Brian Wedge Photography

What I loved most about dogsledding was the enthusiasm and unique personalities of each of the dogs.  They absolutely adored being out the trail, and while the tuglines and sled are being setup, the dogs are barking, whining, jumping and moaning… as they know they’re getting ready for a team run.

Brian Wedge Photography

Ben & Aimee built a carrier for their pickup truck… that the dogs try to jump into on their own.

Brian Wedge Photography

The cedar chip lined nest…

Brian Wedge Photography

Taking the sled off the top of the truck… with the dogs supervising.

Brian Wedge Photography

In anticipation… the howling begins.

Brian Wedge Photography

The barking too (one of the sweetest dogs… looking pretty tough here).

Brian Wedge Photography

Then the jumping and lunging… to say that they were patiently waiting would be a lie.

Finally… the team is underway.  The roar of the barking and whining falls silent immediately… and is replaced by the unified effort of the team.  Quietly gliding through the woods is spectacular.

Brian Wedge Photography

Brian Wedge Photography

It’s pretty amazing to see animals working together… like a single organism moving through the woods.  Quiet, heads down… focused effort.

Brian Wedge Photography

Coming down a steep hill… Ben’s standing on the brake.

Brian Wedge Photography

I just love the look of that dog in the back… intense, exhausted and moving.

Brian Wedge Photography

Climbing up the hills.

Brian Wedge Photography

A small, beautiful little cabin we passed… the perfect place to get in from the cold and have hot cocoa.

Brian Wedge Photography

Brian Wedge Photography

After the run, the dogs are pampered with food… and some “doggie gatorade” to rehydrate them and get some additional calories back into them.

So… if you get a chance this winter, and you’re anywhere near Camden, Maine… take a trip with Aimee and Ben.  It’s an incredible way to see our coastal mountains, to stave off cabin fever, and to have a low impact, eco and family friendly adventure you won’t soon forget.  Their “Blockhouse Pursuits Sled Dogs” can be reached at 207.763.4105, and they do half day and full day trips that are just incredible.  Tell them Brian sent you and you’ll get free extra dog kisses from each of the pups!

BLOCKHOUSE PURSUITS
Aimee Leclerc and Ben Hoops
189 Heal Road
Lincolnville, ME 04849
Phone: (207) 763 4105

ben’s cell (207) 975 2546

aim’s cell (207) 542 0608

Living with Cancer… and thanks.

Brian Wedge Photography

If you’re ever in Seattle with leukemia about to start a bone marrow transplant the next day… we highly recommend you go ahead and catch a fish at Pike’s Place.

It’s been three years today since I got the call from my sister.  Through the tears and the gasps there was something about “blood test” and “they don’t know” and then the word “cancer” followed by the word “leukemia.”  It was the most horrific moment in either of our lives.  Me getting that news… and her, having to share it with her baby brother.

Brian Wedge Photography

It’s a moment that replays daily in my head like it happened yesterday.  The instant nausea, the concern and the start of one incredible journey.  But just like most journeys, it takes a bit of time and distance to fully appreciate how far you’ve come.  The good news is that we’ve been through hell and back… and Lea is recently and currently cancer free!  She’s survived not only leukemia, but the misery of numerous demoralizing failed treatments, thousands and thousands of invasive tests.. and that most amazing “if it doesn’t kill you” experience of a bone marrow transplant.

Brian Wedge Photography

Cancer isn’t as glamourous as you might think…

Her hair is growing back slowly, she goes to the doctor only 3-4 days a week now and her journey continues.  Today marks a very special day for all of us, because it’s another milestone: the start of her first complete year without leukemia since diagnosis!

Brian Wedge Photographyimg_4968

Lea, on the left looks beautiful sans hair.  I shaved my head in solidarity… though most people are quick to note that there wasn’t much to take off.

Congratulations to you, Billy and all of those who love you and have supported you along the way!!!  You’re doing GREAT!!  Go celebrate today!

Brian Wedge Photography