I can’t say that I recommend driving for 32 hours to photograph a wedding and a longboarding competition but in this case it was totally worth it and I don’t regret a thing, except for maybe that speeding ticket. First one in my life, by the way and let me add that in 32 hours of driving I was unknowingly speeding for 8 seconds and I get nailed, talk about justice. The journey to the IGSA World Championships would have been much more monochrome if it were not for a dear friend.

My brother from another mother, Brad agreed to saddle up and go with me and I am sure happy he did. The trip was an adventure and I am so stoked that he was there to share it with me and keep me awake and sane. We almost completely crossed the state of Washington in the dark, following the little glow of the pink path on the GPS. We maintained the necessary alertness level through cola, crunch, and crooning. We stopped to stand in awe of the huge star lit sky and were spooked by the ghostly bugle of a bull elk eerily echoing through the black. The obvious peril of lurking wherewolves and hitchhiking serial killers sent us into a sprint back to the Pontiac and a very necessary peel out. We burned through the night busting huge rhymes and dropping sick beats and pulled into a dark and mysterious Goldendale, Washington.

We pitched our tent in a random field and quietly slipped into our sleeping bags, anxious and exhausted. Just as soon as sleep found us it bolted out our flimsy tent at the crashing crescendo of coyotes howling and yelping. Obviously the wherewolves and that hideous hitchhiking serial killer had followed us and were hobbling slowly through the tall field grass.

We slept in the car.

We got close to three hours of sleep and limped out of the cramped car to relieve ourselves amongst our new surroundings. The sunrise unveiled the dramatic beauty of southern Washington. We made our way, bleary eyed to a gas station and somehow obtained free coffee. I don’t know if it was our pathetic appearance or that we wanted to pay for one dollar coffees with our debit card. Despite the brilliant joy of receiving free coffee we discovered the wicked reason for the attendants eagerness to give willy nilly. It was poison and was soon splashed onto the golden fields of Klickitat County.

The morning was fresh and cold. The hills were void of trees, golden, rising high and immediately low, gaping into canyons. We pulled into Maryhill Loops inspired and thrilled. We stepped into the wind and took advantage of arriving way too early and explored the phenomenal course soaking in every spectacular photo op. As staff arrived on the course we discovered that we needed to obtain a “media vest” or we would have to be confined to the spectator areas, roped off jails imprisoning all creativity and art. Until our saviour, Andrew from Rayne Longboards arrived to bail us out, we were convinced the trip was a total wash. But through the hard work and generous hospitality of Andrew and Graham of Rayne Longboards and Eric of Silverfish Longboarding we were granted complete creative freedom. And the day was glorious.

It was pure joy to scamper through the hills and valleys of Maryhill Loops. Our socks and shins testified our sure joy to roll around in the sagebrush. Thankfully the rattle snake I almost stepped on was kind enough to let me continue the hiking without puting two holes in my ankle. The day was busy and exciting, we met some great people and witnessed the fastest longboarders in the world gliding down the snaking black course. It was a pleasure to see “Scoots” defend his title in a streak of uncontested green and Brianne bewilder the competition yet again. The Maryhill Festival of Speed was incredible and I was honored to be a part of it.

Thank you, Rayne, for encouraging us to come and working so hard to allow us to do what we love. Longboarding is a culture that continues to captivate me. I look forward to the next hill, the next adventure and a little less driving time, unless Brad kindly agrees to beat box.

Thanks.

Click HERE to view the whole Maryhill gallery…

Tags: Lethbridge Photographers, Maryhill Festival of Speed