Throwback Thursday - June '92 - Classic Memories

The knucklehead in the middle on the left is me with Al Zimmerman. That little person in the back in pink was our guide.

Al Zimmerman, Mike Bowen and Me

It was June of 1992 and Mike Bowen, Hasselblad's Sales Manager for New England talked us into white water rafting on the Penobscott River in Maine. It was an amazing trip, which through most of the day Mike managed to scare the crap out of me. We'd be headed towards some rapids and he'd lean in and say, 

"Hey Skip, this one's called the Widow Maker! I hope your life insurance is paid up!"

I remember meeting our guide, a woman who couldn't have been more than 5' 3" and I was sure we were going to die on the river! The other boats had these big muscle-bound captains and we had this little woman. Well, I learned not to judge a book by it's cover or anything else for that matter. On one of the rapids we cleared the boat and she had us all back in, safe, sound and laughing in a matter of minutes. She was amazing!

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Now you see them...

Now you don't...

But the fun and the craziness of the day is only part of this Throwback Thursday. Mike passed away in 2010 after a valiant fight with brain cancer. He was only 56 and there are so many times throughout the year when something triggers a memory and a past moment with Mike. 

Today's post isn't just a throwback moment, but a reminder to celebrate the lives of friends we've lost over the years. They're all watching over us at this very moment and it's those incredible memories that help keep them alive in our hearts.

So, what are doing to celebrate Throwback Thursday?  When was the last time you looked through those old images of yours and thought about all the stories that bubble to the surface - all thanks to being a photographer. What an amazing industry we're all a part of!