I had worked with a wonderful fine art nude model several years ago who had a very unique last name. I learned a little more of her family in some of the IG reels she had posted, and an internet search turned up her sister's memoir, "Miracle Country", which I had bought and deeply enjoyed. Buy it, read it! It is a beautifully written love letter to her family and the Owens River valley, along with her recollections of her mother who'd died of cancer 20 years ago now. I had traveled US-395 many times during my college days in San Diego, to reach any number of trailheads in the Eastern Sierra. But at the time, I didn't really have a deep appreciation of the valley I traveled through. Kendra's book got me to take a second look at the Owens River valley, leading to my week-long trip up US-395 last week (and all the photos I've been posting here lately). So here I am, at a taco stand in Bishop last week, waiting for my El Pastor burrito to come up, and I recognized the man who I thought was the sisters' father (and also a main force in Kendra's memoir). Sure enough, it was him. After introducing myself, we chatted about my photographing his one daughter, and I also mentioned that I just finished Kendra's memoir. With a smirk, he deadpanned, "Well, seems you know a lot more about me than I do about you." He was so generous with his time. We talked about various sites I could see on my trip, and insisted I take some of the maps he sells. Good maps too! Toward the end of our conversation, he asked if I'd like another copy of Kendra's book, to "pay it forward". I asked him to sign it, and he happily did so. The whole encounter made my day. A completely coincidental meeting, good vibes, and a connection made. Sometimes, the world feels beautifully small.
"Happy trails, Andy"
Just finished this absolutely wonderful memoir (signed by the author's Dad). Highly recommended.
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#miraclecountry #kendraatleework #bishop #US395 #owensvalley #memoir #book #bookrecommendation
