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Last summer I had just one day in the park, that would be Yellowstone National Park, due to the fact that as I was l was leaving that morning to start my shoot I got a call saying the High Park fire was about to burn down our house and everything around it. We were scheduled for mandatory evacuation immediately. I jumped in the car and began racing for home. This would be the third time that summer we had been evacuated due to massive fires.

As I made my way through the park I routed myself through the Hayden Valley, my second most favorite place in the world, wanting to get one more glimpse of it, not knowing when I’d be back. There are several spots along its banks where the river widens out and becomes a slow and lazy river, places just perfect for taking a moment to catch your breath and take stock of your life. I drove past this scene intent on getting home and as I got further down the road it kept replaying in my mind until I stopped, turned around and went back to take this one photo. Calmness in the midst of chaos.

Lots of times when things have seemed out of control I have looked at this image and thought that no matter how desperate or terrible things are at the moment somewhere there is peace and calm and tranquility. You may not be able to go there right now but you can take comfort from the fact that it exists. Right now as I write this our neighbors in Colorado Springs are facing yet another catastrophic fire, this one named the Black Forest fire, that has already consumed dozens of homes. All their hopes and dreams gone in an instant. It seems that there are many of these life altering situations happening lately. I think everyone could use a little calmness and peace right now. So to everyone who is facing one of these monumental events or has been through one, try and remember that somewhere there is a place where this is not the norm and things can be right again as they will be for you too.