by the light — Gabrielle Nelson

11.24.18

back on the road.

I don’t have much to say lately. It’s kind of nice but frustrating at the same time. Nice because that usually means things are pretty good. Frustrating because I still want to write… There’s got to be a way to be inspired by the light.

by the light

The majority of this past year was spent in Bend, Oregon. I took a few trips here and there, but most of life took place within a forty minute radius. I worked at Mt. Bachelor, cleaning bathrooms and taking out the trash. Believe it or not, I loved it. I met some really rad ski bums winter ‘18 and rode more in one season than I ever did back in the Midwest.

During the summer, I worked at a golf course as a beverage cart girl. Tips were great… but small talk was hard. I quit to pursue more freelance work that would give me a flexible schedule. Fast forward to today and I’m sitting in a coffee shop in Colorado. It makes me smile just to write that. I love Colorado. I love being on the road.

We had been planning this one for a few months. And by planning I mean watching snowboard clips on Instagram. “We’ll make some cash and leave in November.” …November rolled around fast. Stoke was high but funds still low…

“We’ll figure it out.”

11.17.18 - 11.24.18

Bend, Oregon - idk, Nevada - Salt Lake City, Utah - Grand Junction, Colorado

Camping under stars, in parking lots, and by cliffs. Meeting with friends, hiking, and driving.. We’re making our way to the mountains.

Friends on film. 120mm.

Starting point: Oregon. Where I paid utilities at some friends’ house and slept in the driveway the last few months.

This is Trent and his rig, Bonnie. They like the snow. // @_trentcarper_

Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.

Ana & Todd. Salt Lake City, Utah. // I had the privilege of visiting the Niche Snowboards headquarters and meeting these two this past month. They’re so rad. Making eco-friendly boards and challenging norms within the snowboard culture.

Check it: @nichesnowboards

SLC, UT // This is Matt. He’s a super rad dude and easily the best snowboarder I know. We met in college and I consider him a really great friend. Stoked our paths crossed again. Check out his skillz: @mattchase5

Caught Eli on his way back to Idaho from Moab, UT. Normally he cruises in a ‘71 VW bus with a narwhal painted on the side, but he decided to rock this blue bean for a minute while he works on the engine of his bus. Eli is one of my favorite humans. // @eliputren

The Brown fam. I met Chad, Kate, and the kids in Bend, OR. They were living in their baby blue school bus at the time. They built it out themselves and hit the road with the motto “Love Always, Adventure Often.” I love these guys and can’t wait to see them again! // @chad.l.brown

Thanksgiving! Friends-giving! Vans-giving! // My little sis, Sophie, dubbed Trent Mother Goose because he likes to do most of the cooking. The three of us celebrated by feasting on boxed stuffing, instant potatoes, canned corn, and chicken. Yummo! :]

though some say unsustainable

absurd

or too millennial

my ears now filter the noise

and i’ve grown fond of this selective hearing

a trip, they’ll call it

and i guess that’s somewhat true

but stepping

back

where the air is clean

i can think for myself

discover for myself

experience

create

define

not a trip

but normal life

one sustained

by the light