September 18, 2021: a mad dash along Highway 101 near Florence, Oregon. Rain and wind blew inland from the sea while fog filled the forest. Zipping around in a rental car with a wedding to attend at 5:00 — the clock was ticking.

An obvious mountainside hiking trail called from the side of the highway. Later, an unmarked gravel pull-off beckoned exploration of the rocky beach, dancing with ocean spray, down below. So many things needed to be photographed in this beautiful setting I had never before experienced.

It was my first time photographing with any degree of seriousness outside of my home in Tennessee, so naturally I was filled with excitement and an urge to take in all I could with my eyes and lens.

The more I drove, the more overwhelmed, excited and thrilled I became.

It was a far cry from the much slower approach I take these days, but we were only in town for a short time and I wanted to make the most of it. It was a real test of sorts, spending limited time in each location along the coastal highway.

The resulting photographs are dedicated to Miller, Jay, Scottie, Jeff, and the whole Miller crew whose hospitality and warmth are legendary.