Waking Up Before the World
The day began at 3:30 a.m., long before the world even thought about waking up. I stepped into the darkness with Levon, my dog, quietly padding beside me. I picked up a friend, and together we drove three hours through the night—miles of black road, stars overhead, and that familiar mix of exhaustion and hope that comes with chasing first light.
There’s something sacred about traveling in the dark for a sunrise. You don’t know exactly what you’ll get, but you trust it will be worth it.
Arriving at Oxbow Bend in the Deep Freeze
We arrived at Oxbow Bend just in time, greeted by a biting -10°F. The cold wasn’t gentle—it was sharp, honest, and unrelenting. Every breath reminded me exactly where I was. I set up my camera quickly, fingers stiff, movements slow.
Between shots, I made small pilgrimages back to my truck, just long enough to feel my hands again. Even then, I didn’t want to stay inside. Some moments are too important to watch from warmth.
When the Light Finally Came
As the sun rose, something extraordinary happened. The first light began to softly kiss the mountains, tracing their edges with gold and pink. The frozen river witness it all, perfectly still, as if creation itself was holding its breath.
I was literally frozen in place—by the cold and by the beauty. Everything went quiet inside me. No rush. No noise. Just awe.
Standing in Awe and Gratitude
Moments like this remind me why I do what I do. Photography isn’t just about capturing an image—it’s about witnessing creation and letting it change you. Standing there at Oxbow Bend, I felt small in the best possible way.
Totally worth the early alarm. Totally worth the frozen fingers. Totally worth the long drive in the dark.
Thank you, Lord, for creating Wyoming.
If This Story Spoke to You
If this sunrise moved you even a little—if it made you pause, breathe, or remember that God’s creation is still speaking—know that sharing these moments is my dream.
You can support that dream in simple, meaningful ways. By bringing one of my images into your home from my online store The Overland Diaries , you help turn these frozen mornings into lasting stories. By following us on Facebook and Instagram, you walk alongside us as we keep chasing light. By subscribing to our YouTube channel, you help these quiet moments reach more hearts. And if you feel led, buying us a coffee helps fuel the next early alarm, the next long drive, the next moment of awe.
Every bit of support matters more than you know. Thank you for being here, for caring, and for believing in this journey with me.
P.S. Thank you Fran for taking a photo of me working!
