Like many of you, our world at Inspire-EdVentures has been turned upside down. We’d love to be traveling and educating you about the wonders of the world. Until we can meet again, we’d like to bring you 30 days of photos and stories that Inspire us. We’ll tell you the back-story behind the shot and hopefully you can take a small mental trip away from everything that is weighing on you.
We’d love it if you’d share your experiences with us, too! Visit us on Instragram or Facebook, and then tag us in a photo that inspired you. Tag your friends, your family, whomever – let’s spread some inspiration using the tag #InspireMeThrough.
Read More About The Inspiration Behind Each Photo
Milngavie, Scotland
Our first view of the countryside as we traveled out of Milngavie on the West Highland Trail. You can almost feel the cool wind and rain on the back of your neck in this shot. This was the first of MANY times that we stopped to either add a layer or remove one. The weather would change quickly and often. This was day 1 of 10 and 135 miles on the trail. Looking at this sprawling vista, you can see why we were so excited to see over the next hill. The colors here don’t really give justice to the experience and the ground always seemed to move with the breeze. Mile after mile, no matter how tired we were, the landscape kept pulling us forward in awe.
Boone, North Carolina
North Carolina, in the fall, should be on everyone’s bucket list. So much to do and see! From the breweries and crafts to the history and winding mountain roads in the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s simply a must-see.
You don’t have to wander far off any path to see the beauty that is hidden in plain sight. In this particular shot, we were actually trying to scale down this (rather slippery) hill to get a better view of the waterfall that lays just out of view in this picture. One piece of advice I always give photographers is to be completely aware of your surroundings.
Sometimes you get so set on the picture you think you want, you neglect to see other opportunities. Always look behind you! THIS – is what the view looked like behind my (other) perfect shot.
Montana
Today I was thinking about the shelter in place orders around the world. I wondered, from the various perspectives of those affected, where would you most like to be sequestered? Obviously, under happier circumstances – where would you rather be?
My first thought was Montana, high in the mountains, sipping a hot cup of coffee while the sun gently welcomes the day.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
It snowed where I am yesterday. I’m not a fan – not in any stretch of the imagination. The only white-stuff I want to see comes in the form of sand and it comes with the suns beaming rays and the sound of waves crashing on the shore.
In this shot, we were looking for new places to explore in beautiful Ambergris Caye, Belize. We stopped for a bite to eat and a cool drink. As the warm breeze swept across our faces, I looked along the coast and thought it looked like I was dreaming.
You can almost feel that warm breeze here and smell the salty air inviting you to come and relax. Close your eyes – breathe it in!
Iowa
With so many parents now handling or supervising the day-to-day education of their children due to the stay-at-home orders, I think it’s worth taking a look back in time. Dating back to the 1800’s, rural residents of Iowa would send their kids to one-room school houses for their early education (usually to the 8th grade) because, get this – it was hard work and they had jobs to do!
It’s believed that Iowa once housed the most one-room schoolhouses in all the states and some were in use up until the 1960’s. I used to commute past this particular schoolhouse and during certain times of the year, I’d get a fantastic postcard view from the past.
As we all adjust to these unprecedented times, let’s take a moment to thank our educators for everything they do for our kids and our shared future. It’s an occupation that is so vitally important but often goes unheralded.
Grand Tetons, Wyoming
On this particular morning in Grand Teton National Park, we awoke before the sun to make sure we could be in the park to hear the elk bugling. We made it to a roadside pullout and sat and listened in the cool, foggy morning air.
The sun began to rise and painted the tops of the mountains and as it did, it revealed the elk around us, and this stunning panoramic view.
While many of our favorite bars, restaurants and shops modify their strategies to provide their services to us in new ways; there are some places like our National Parks continue to remain closed. Please consider donating to your favorite parks and recreational facilities if you have the means.
Lake Tahoe, NV
I’ve only been to Lake Tahoe once. It was during the off-season and it was quite cold. I was completely mesmerized by the colors and beauty, but it was eerily quite without all the tourists. Houses were dark, the beaches were bare and the only sounds you could hear were from the birds and the wind.
I imagine that many of the world’s popular destinations are experiencing a similar situation right now. Today’s photo is dedicated to all of those tourism workers who have been affected by this pandemic.
Great Smoky Mountains, NC
The golden hour in photography is the time before sunrise and after sunset. During this time, the sun in low enough that the light has to travel further and the atmosphere filters it, making it warmer and sometimes very dramatic. It’s easy to find the specific sunrise and sunset times – just a simple Google search of either term will offer these for your current location.
In this shot, we were preparing for a weekend of hiking outside of Pigeon Forge. We had settled in our housing (many of the homes have fantastic valley views like this). I had searched for the sunset time earlier in the day so I could be set up about a half-hour prior to sunset. Setting up early allows you to check that everything is operating correctly AND most importantly – lets you enjoy the show without worry.
Preston, IA
Growing up in the Midwest, you learn very quickly about hard work. I think growing up on a farm increases that work ethic even more. I can remember waking up before the sun and not ending the day until well after dark. Work ended when the jobs were done – plain and simple. I used to complain; I know I did. But to this day, I love the feeling of knowing I put in a good day of hard work.
I pulled over on the side of the road to take this picture. I knew I had to stop – it was breathtaking. I wanted to capture the small barn in the corner, just to show how much drama there was in the sky and how massive of a light show I was seeing.
Working late into the day, we were blessed with many of these views over the years. I’ll never forget those days – the hard work, the laughs, or the lessons learned.
Copenhagen, Denmark
South Water Caye, Belize
Wildcat Branch Falls, SC
lost on purpose is the best way to find where you’re going.
Sleeping Giant Resort, Belize
The Woods
Midwest, USA
Mayan Mountains, Belize
Loch Lomond, Scotland
Hopkins, Belize
Nature, Everywhere
Iowa Farm
Grandfather Mountain, NC
Placencia, Belize
Armenia, Belize
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve, Belize
Belize Zoo
All photos are by Eric Weber of 5BlueMedia and are used by permission. ©2020 5BlueMedia and Inspire EdVentures
