Growing up in a small copper mining town in eastern Arizona at the southern edge of the White Mountains, it was part of life to spend time exploring every stretch possible of the Black River. Starting as a small jump across trout stream, the Black courses through some of the most wild and incredible country in Arizona before joining the White River and becoming the Salt.

My life style and personality was developed and cemented during visits to the White Mountains. It was here I grew to love being in wild places. It didn't matter much if I was hiking, fishing, boating, or behind a camera, my life was richer while enjoying places found away from the crowds.

As I moved through various stages of life, priorities evolved and my explorations stretched beyond these earliest stomping grounds. However, the White Mountains of Arizona, especially Black River, will remain deeply embedded in my being.