From Idaho Noob to Local: My Year of Adventure in the Gem State

This year was full of so many Idaho adventures. I felt like I went from an Idaho noob, to a local in under a year. I’m so grateful that my job took me to some of the most beautiful spots in this state. I got to meet so many wonderful people, soak in tens of hot springs, and truly fall in love with the nature of Idaho.

Here is my 2023 in numbers:

Visited 25+ Cities/towns/areas

Cascade (x5), McCall (x2), twin falls, garden Valley, Crouch, Placerville (x2), Island Park, Nordman, Warm Springs, Frank Church Wilderness, Ketchum, Stanley, Idaho Falls, Nampa, Boise, and I know I’m missing a few.

Dipped in 9(?) Hot springs

Had many 3 am or earlier wake up calls

Had 5+ major oopsies

Lost a camera that bounced out of my bike (I luckily found it a couple hours later)
Lost 5 days of media (also found later)
Got my finger sucked into tree climbing gear and had a black thumb for a few weeks
Filmed with an automatic setting unknowingly, that messed up alot of my gopro footage
Ate questionable food 2 days into a five day solo shoot, I got sick that night

Worked on 9 different shows for Outdoor Idaho

Falconry, Nature as Classroom, Appaloosa, Joy Ride, Fossils, Foraging, Working Dogs, Western White Pine, and an Idaho Music show

I don’t think I can pick out one of my trips as a favorite, but I do have a couple that stick out. Filming the Chief Joseph Trail Ride had some of the most welcoming people I had met. Filming and climbing a western white pine in northern Idaho was the most fun doing something new (climbing 150+ into a tree). Filming the Fat Pursuit race was the most fun, beautiful and exciting. Filming at Taylor Ranch in the Frank Church Wilderness was the most serene shoot, while it was also an amazing first to fly in a backcountry plane. And I do have to mention that there wasn’t a single shoot where I didn’t meet amazing people and had an absolutely wonderful time. I genuinely enjoyed each and every one of my shoots for different reasons.

Now, the most challenging shoots…. Most of them lol. Considering that this is my first year as a full-time videographer with nature/adventure style documentary shooting… I had, and still have, a lot to learn.

Falconry, the birds are so damn fast
Smoke and fire, by myself, logistical nightmare, got sick, terrible back roads I got stuck on
IWBP, I had to accept that I’m a slow rider and could not keep up to film

These are also just the things I did while working. I’m lucky enough to have seen more places and dipped in more hot springs during personal trips.

I meant to share this closer to the beginning of the new year…But ya know, time flies and I’m busy editing another show for work.

I can’t wait to see all I do in 2024,

Mya