Introducing: Waypoints

From: ruffwear.com Nov-22-2023 09:15:am

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A collage of Noël Russell's photos border the word "Waypoints".

Waypoints are more than just a set of coordinates to pass through on your way from here to there. With your dog by your side, certain places hold significance beyond navigation.

For storyteller and photographer Noël Russell, the Eastern Sierra holds spots like this where she explored first with Lhotse. Read on to hear what she discovers as she returns to them now with Fin and Sue.

“During that time, I found myself surprised at how big these special places really are – how they can hold more memories than we’d ever imagined, how they seemed to swell to create more space for good.”

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WHERE WAYPOINTS LEAD

Noël Russell and her two dogs Fin and Lhotse lay down in the back of their van with the doors open.

“My abuela always said that sharing stories is the way we allow our ancestors to show us love, even long after their bodies are laid to rest. Lhotse became an ancestor of mine early this year. After 14 years of blessing the world with her unyielding love and shining spirit.”

Fin and Lhotse lay down between two kayaks on the shore of an alpine lake.

“During her sundown years, we did the best to bring her back to the places she loved the most, like that alpine lake where she’d romp through the muck as her stippled coat blended perfectly into the tall yellow grass.”

On the left, Lhotse stands in the middle of a dirt trail surrounded by wild flowers. On the right, on that same trail, Noël holds her dog Sue and Jonnie holds their dog Fin in the background.

“Back to the bigness of these special places that hold more memories than we’d ever imagine – the ones that constantly swell to create more space for good.”

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