The Steady Traveler

I don't always have the habit of bringing my camera with me everywhere I go. Sometimes I grab it on my way out and sometimes I just don't. As for one day in May, Mothers Day to be exact, I brought it along to capture the memories of my family. Throughout the day, at different events, I took both grandmas photos until they got annoyed. (I do that a lot). As we walked along the small town street of Largo, a little nothing to do town (so some think) along the Wabash River, with our icecream in hand we stopped by the pavilion. This is where we happened upon this humble stature of a man sitting in the most glorious cast of sun.

Meet Tim, a wildly charismatic man with strong feature and an air of steadiness to him. The moment I saw him, I knew I just had to take his portrait. Grandma, being the down to earth and loving character she is, sparked a conversation. Little did we know, that this man would have such a great story. To this day I get to watch his story unfold.

Tim’s home state is Oregon and has been biking cross country since February 11. At the time we met him he had biked 4,900 miles, and 119 up hill. He told story of being caught in the sand storm in El paso to horrible drivers trying to get to close to him, and that is just the beginning.

As we finished our ice cream from the local shop, we asked him to take our family picture. I, at the time, hadn't got nerve to ask him to let me take his portrait, but as I started to get the camera grandma said "Don't forget to ask to take his portrait." I certainly had not forgotten at all, my mind was racing the whole time staging his portrait in my head. Finally I ask him, and like most people, he kind of chuckled and said "My portrait?" Though he agreed whole heartily, his humbleness shown through every portrait.

As we said our goodbye's, I got his email and wish him blessings over his travels and he wished me luck with my photography. I have to admit that I watched him through the back of the car window, like a friend I would never see again, until I could no longer see him. There was just something about this meeting I will never forget.

After I got home, I sent the photos to him through his email where he replied with "Those are great. Thank you." I asked him to tell me a little more about himself and this where I learned more about his life.

His simple reply to my question was, " So, I am 70 and this is my 6th time going cross country. I did my 1st one at 50. Retired from the Army with 20 years and have 1200 parachute jumps. That about wraps it up." He also shared a picture of one of his dives. Tim you are a force, strong and humble, thank you so much for your service!

Throughout this, I have been able to keep in touch with Tim. Not only that, I have got to meet his daughter through email who thanked me for the photos. She hasn't seen him since he left.

This right here is why I carry my camera and continues to solidify why I am an artist.

As of today he is in the state of Washington!