Backyard Spring

April 18, 2014 by Ara R. in Personal

We bought our house in Portland last spring, but we didn't close until late May. We missed a lot of the blooms. This year has been an absolute wonderland of blossoms: two different kinds of cherry trees...

For me, love is about...

February 14, 2014 by Ara R. in Personal

A few years back, before we got married, I made a list of the things that encompass love for me. One of my first brides, Christina, made it into a small poster for me as a gift and it hangs in my office. I'm sharing it again today, because with all the candy, flowers and chocolates, it's easy to forget all the ordinary, everyday things that go into living with a person year after year...

Adventure Report: The Subway in Zion National Park, Utah

February 08, 2014 by Ara R. in Personal, Adventure Reports, Photo Features

If you love unique landscapes (preferably involving water), you may have heard of The Subway in Zion National Park. When I first saw photos back in 2008, I became obsessed. It’s a beautiful natural tunnel with water flowing through clear water pools, all tucked away 4.5 miles away from a winding country road in Zion’s wilderness. The “trail" to it is littered with boulders, a rambling creek...