My journey began as a newcomer to the Hudson Valley drawn by the enticing profile of the blue mountains away to the west of the river. I knew the day would come when I would take my camera into those mountains and explore.

This book is the culmination of five years worth of exploration, much of it undertaken with Moe Lemire, a local mountain guide, whose infectious enthusiasm and depth of knowledge guided me through each season, up and down steep scrambles, always on the understanding that we would eventually break out onto a rocky ledge with a view worthy of our endeavors.

Carrying photography equipment into the backcountry is a tough assignment, and although the weather didn’t always cooperate none of our Journeys were ever wasted. Each trip was different, we talked, we laughed and we learnt a little more about the trail, the mountain, the weather - and ourselves.

Companionship came easily with each Journey.