How One Tool Changed the Way I Adventure Forever

It's funny how one thing can change your life forever. One phone call, one opportunity, and, in my case, one gift. Receiving a GoPro for Christmas one year changed so many things in my life, but most of all it changed my philosophy on travel. The whole world looked brand new while looking through my lens and inspired me to get outside and explore!

Fast forward to today, and I have searched far and wide for some of the greatest natural wonders in the United States and all the while, my GoPro has become my number one travel must-have. This journey has taken me to some pretty unexpected places and I have learned how much life can be one giant adventure.

The itch to travel started in one of the most unlikely times in our history: it was 2020, and like everyone else, I was stuck at home. This seems like a very inconvenient time to desire travel but it all stemmed from stumbling upon a couple of YouTube channels: California Through My Lens and American's Parks. I was hooked and fascinated by what the "everyday explorers" on these channels did. I wanted to be just like them; I wanted to start taking my family on hikes and have the precious memories of our trips on my own channel. The only problem was... I didn’t have a camera. 

That all changed on Christmas day when I opened up a brand new GoPro Hero 8! I was so excited to get out and film our own hikes that I immediately started planning. The very next day we went on a trail near our house in a forest called Vaughan Woods in Hallowell, Maine. I have traveled through these woods more times than I can count but this time it was different. I saw every downed log as an opportunity for a new angle. Suddenly things I would pass before become the focal point. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t even know how to use the GoPro. I just pointed and shot not having a clue how it would look. Turns out, not so good…at first. 

My first video was... rough -- but I was determined. I learned so much while editing that I was eager to try my hand at it again. The second time was much better -- with a finished product I could be proud of -- but I still had a ways to go. My wife is a photographer so I stepped into her world and tried to see with her eyes and I found myself having some pretty amazing hands-on training as she taught me how she sees the world. I have always admired her work because she was always good at focusing on the smallest detail which always sparked my imagination. I was able to experience what she had been so passionate about, which became a beautiful way to connect.

Shortly after I learned how to tweak settings and so much more about my GoPro. I even started watching YouTube videos differently as I carefully examined the way they were filmed. I still have a long way to go, but the GoPro made it so easy and simple so the learning curve was never that steep. I started to brainstorm some incredible places that I wanted to shoot and that also took us on a wild adventure. We have now traveled to over 30 states and have explored nearly 20 national parks. I have filmed dozens of waterfalls, mountaintop vistas, scenic drives, fun events, and so much more.

Along the journey, I have slowly seen growth in my channel as I have inspired others to get outside too. That was always my goal: to showcase unbelievable beauty and get people to see the world I do now. An unexpected turn of events happened when one of my videos experienced a massive uptick in views.

When I investigated where this came from, I discovered my video was used on a site called Only In Your State and I was determined to be a part of it. I reached out and explained who I was and how I wanted to be a writer for the site. In the process, I have now discovered another passion: writing! 

I think back on that one Christmas present and how receiving a simple camera has changed the course of my life forever. I now get to live out a dream to write, inspire, and film our adventures and I truly have learned how much joy can be wrung out of a life well lived. My family and I come alive when we hit the road, hike the trails, and explore our amazing and beautiful world. 

As far as a GoPro product review, well it changed my life. I really believe it came at just the right time which took me on a wild ride that led me here. I never knew that getting a camera for Christmas would lead me to explore our country’s greatest natural treasures and land me the job of my dreams but here I am. I am thankful for where I have been and don’t take it for granted, but I also feel like I have only just begun. I look forward to even more wild trips as my passion grows deeper and deeper. If you want to follow along with my family and our journey make sure to check out our Adventuring in the Moment channel which I hope inspires you to get outside and to do the same.