"Skamping" Skateboarding and Camping: Celebrating A Year of Skateboarding, Adventure, and Growth
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"Skamping" Skateboarding and Camping: Celebrating A Year of Skateboarding, Adventure, and Growth
A year ago, I decided to revisit a childhood love—skateboarding. When I was younger, I had a skateboard that I’d push around the sidewalks of my neighborhood, but without skateparks, helmets, or much guidance, I never progressed past the basics. As a kid, I had a fixed mindset: I wasn’t good at skateboarding, so why keep trying?
At 47, I picked up a board again, but this time with a new perspective. With a growth mindset in place, I focused on effort instead of talent and embraced the process of learning (and failing) as part of the journey. To celebrate one year on the board, my wife Amy, our two dogs, and I packed up our trusty 2003 Chevy Express named Stevie and set out on a road trip through Utah and Colorado.
This trip was more than just a skate tour; it was an adventure into the beauty of the Rockies, a chance to reflect on growth, and a reminder that with the right mindset, anything is possible. It also inspired a new custom photo session I’m offering called *Wheels*, which celebrates people and families who roll—whether on skateboards, bikes, or other wheels. more info
Rediscovering Skateboarding at 47
This past year of skateboarding has been about so much more than just learning tricks. As someone who didn’t have skateparks growing up, learning to skate at 47 has been an exhilarating challenge. Skateboarding pushes you to embrace failure because falling is part of the process. It’s also one of the few places where people actually cheer you on when you fall. Imagine if failure in all aspects of life was treated this way—how much easier it would be to keep growing!
“If you wish to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.” — Epictetus
Instead of focusing on talent, I’ve learned to focus on effort. At 48, I’m constantly reminding myself that age isn’t a limitation—it’s simply a number. When I catch myself thinking, “I’m too old for this,” I ask two key questions: Am I afraid of failing? Am I focused on my talent or my effort? Shifting that focus has allowed me to take on new challenges, make new friends, and enjoy the journey rather than worrying about the outcome.
Our 5-Day Skamping Tour
To celebrate one year of skateboarding, Amy, the dogs, and I embarked on a 5-day, 9-skatepark tour. We hit two parks in Utah and seven in Colorado. We’d camp in primitive spots, waking up each morning to skate a new park, then retreat to the stillness of nature by evening.
One park I’ll never forget had big bowls, graffiti art (including a giant ripper skeleton), and even a full pipe with an end cap that you could skate inside. I videoed myself skating that ripper skeleton, riding inside the full pipe, and felt like a kid again. We were surrounded by the golden colors of quaking aspens and the crisp mountain air—the perfect setting for both skating and reconnecting with nature.
The trip wasn’t without its challenges. On the last day, I woke up to find coolant leaking from the van—a steady stream. We were camped at 11,000 feet in the middle of nowhere, and somehow, I didn’t have a flathead screwdriver in the emergency kit. Luckily, Amy found a Swiss army knife that was hanging out in the kitchen, and I was able to patch up the leak enough to get us on the road and safely home to get the van fixed. It was one of those moments where I had to put the camera down and focus on the task at hand. Even though I didn’t capture it on video, it was a reminder that sometimes, the biggest challenges create the best stories.
**Watch the Journey in 4k**
In this video, you’ll see our journey through Utah and Colorado—timelapses of the mountains, footage from the skateparks, drone flights in the wilderness and moments with our dogs and the van. It’s a glimpse into the thrill of the trip, from the bowls and ramps to the beauty of the Rockies.
Nature’s Stillness: A Different Kind of Recharge
While the skateparks were exhilarating, the quiet moments in nature were just as important. Skateboarding gave me the adrenaline rush I craved, but the stillness of nature was the perfect counterbalance. There’s something about the sound of wind passing through quaking aspens and the soothing flow of mountain streams that calms the spirit.
That’s why I created a second video that’s all about stillness. It’s designed for anyone who needs a moment to breathe, recharge, or just drift off to sleep with the calming sounds of nature.
**Need a Moment of Peace?**
This video captures the peaceful sights and sounds of the Colorado wilderness in the fall. Take a few minutes to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, whether for meditation or as background noise for your day.
*Wheels*: A Portrait Session for Those Who Roll
The skatepark tour and this year of learning to skateboard inspired me to create *Wheels*—a custom portrait session celebrating people and families who roll. Whether you’re a skateboarder, cyclist, or someone who loves movement, *Wheels* is about capturing the spirit and personality behind the journey.
While I’ve experienced skateboarding firsthand, these sessions aren’t about action shots. They’re portraits that reflect the rebellious energy of skate culture, the grit of graffiti art, and the determination it takes to keep rolling forward. It’s a chance to show not just what you do, but who you are, your journey, and the community that supports you along the way.
Book Your *Wheels* Session
Are you someone who rolls? Whether you’re into skateboarding, biking, or any other form of movement, my *Wheels* sessions are for you. Let’s create a portrait that celebrates your love for movement and the unique energy you bring to it.
**Click here to book your session now.**
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