Hi, I’m Joy Carlough, a retired educational leader, now photographer with a flair for landscapes and wild places. I was born, raised, and lived most of my life in New Jersey followed by a short stay in the San Fransisco Bay area. Then fulfilling a long-time dream, I moved to the Montana Rockies very near Yellowstone National Park.
After seven years making the dream a reality and sharing many of those experiences here, I’m embarking on new adventures by moving to Colorado. Living on the Front Range of the Rockies ensures lots of sunshine, easy access to some of the highest mountains in the USA, and snowshoeing all winter only a short drive away while rarely having to shovel out my SUV.
When I first moved to the Rockies, and still today, this flatlander quickly realized:
- I cannot hike more than five to six miles, but wilderness is much closer than you think.
- Life is richer when nature is encountered and explored with wonder–and bear spray.
- When you slow down your walk and take time to look around, the beauty of nature awes.
- Wilderness is obvious in the Rocky Mountain states, but wild places await discovery in unlikely locals everywhere.
- Experiencing wilderness through a camera lens allows sharing the experiences forever.
- Wild places must be seen to be loved, and loved to be saved.
- Today more than ever we all must sign, write, and call to save our public lands. Iconic parks, monuments, and wilderness areas are threatened with destruction and only we can speak up, vote, and demand better!
All the photos here are my copyrighted originals, from my heart to yours. I hope you enjoy our walks to close-by wild places as they fill your senses with beauty, majesty, and awe.
WELCOME TO THE WILDERNESS!
If you are having problems subscribing or just want to share your thoughts, please feel free to write.
Wow! Gorgeous photos and great narrative. I almost felt like I was with you on your hike in Lamar Valley. Instead I am in my cozy, warm home in CA.
I am not sure I could get used to and/or appreciate the very cold temperatures you experienced on this hike.
Thank you for sharing your adventures.
Great blog!
We will talk soon!
Your friend,
Karen
Thanks Karen. I have to say, every year I find I love the cold weather more and more!
Joy! What a wonderful job you have done!! Wish Chucky could have seen this-he would be very proud of you!! Hope to actually meet up with you in the near future. You have accomplished the most wonderful, full circle of life!!! Congrats! ?
Thank you so much Elaine! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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Hola! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a
shout out from New Caney Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the great work!
Hey there outstanding blog! Does running a blog like this take a lot of work?
I’ve very little understanding of coding however I had been hoping to start
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share. I understand this is off topic however I simply needed to ask.
Appreciate it!
Hello. I obviously use WordPress and they have lots of tutorials that were a big help. I also took an online class through Ed2Go offered by Foothill-De Anza Community College District in Cupertino, CA.
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Hi Joy,
Thank you for your kind comment you made about my site and images, I can’t agree more about finding “wilderness” wherever you can.
Hi Joy- Thank you for following my photography blog, Jane’s Lens. I hope you enjoy my work.
You live in a gorgeous part of the world!
My pleasure following your beautiful blog Jane.
Yes, I smile every morning as I’m greeted by the mountains and blessed with the big sky.
Keep blogging and photographing the wild country Joy!
I LOVE the photography. I am so glad you are doing this as photography has always been an important part of my life. Your work reminds me of when I first started in Hawaii – loving nature. I will enjoy following your adventures. You look younger than the last time I saw you and that was a while ago – thus the Montana air must be treating you right.
Loving this. You are so right about the wilderness. It’s awesome and inspiring.
Congratulations! I’m excited about your new endeavor and look forward to following you. I just
signed up so will wait for the link.
Bev Poellot
This is a great about page, Joy! I love the way you structured your thoughts about wilderness and your experience with it.