Ray McMullen Fine Art Photography

Today I woke up with a bit of excitement knowing that I would be seeing what my toe now looked like after, the partial amputation to remove the bone infection. This would be one step closer to getting my kidney transplant and one step closer to taking back my life. The fact of the matter is that immediately following the toe surgery, my foot felt normal once again. I was in no pain and my foot more specifically, my big toe, was no longer mad (infected). It felt as it did years before the diagnosis. It felt content and normal. This was a bit alarming as I was use to having neuropathy in my feet and now, it felt normal once again. I felt like I was moving my toe and that all was right in the world once again. But, looking at my foot, I knew it wasn’t. The spot where my big toe once sat was a bit shorter and wrapped with bandages. In addition, my foot was secured in an inflatable boot for stability. I kept thinking to myself… What have I done now? In the days after t...

     As a landscape photographer I thought the most important piece of equipment I needed, besides my camera was my backpack. After all, this single item would be carrying my food, water, camera, and other various things needed to shoot landscapes.       I now believe that your boots are one of, if not THE most important tools you have going out on any hike. A few weeks earlier I had attempted a difficult hike, caring my camera and some provisions about 30 pounds, while wearing my older Vasque boots. Unfortunately I did not achieve the distance I had hoped. I had blisters and my feet were killing me. I left the trail a defeated person.      I had been a loyal Vasque boot wearer for the past 10 to 15 years. However, when I needed to get a new pair, they just weren't the same shoe. I tried on several different brands, trying to find that perfect fit that I had come accustom. Finally I went to REI...