My Thoughts, Ramblings and Ideas

Welcome to the journal — not quite a blog, not quite a notebook. Just a quiet space where I can put words to the images I create and share stories from the road. Sometimes it's a reflection, sometimes a glimpse behind the scenes, and sometimes it's just the thoughts that surface after a long hike, a quiet camp, or time spent off the beaten path.
Think of it as a place to wander — through landscapes, ideas, and whatever else the journey stirs up.

Andrew Hertel 5/25/25 Andrew Hertel 5/25/25

Winter’s Gateway

A soft snowfall, two quiet trees, and a final frame that almost didn’t happen. Winter’s Gateway captures the fleeting beauty of winter in San Diego’s Mount Laguna and the quiet reward of going just a little further.

Andrew Hertel 3/18/25 Andrew Hertel 3/18/25

Snow Day in San Diego

A heavy winter storm brought fresh snow to Mount Laguna, offering conditions most people would avoid—but for me, it provided a perfect day of clarity and creativity, embodied in this solitary Jeffrey Pine.

Andrew Hertel 7/12/22 Andrew Hertel 7/12/22

La Línea

A section of border fence extends into the Pacific Ocean separating Tijuana, Mexico and the United States.

Andrew Hertel 2/28/22 Andrew Hertel 2/28/22

Laguna Sentinels

A rare winter storm brought a magical winter wonderland to San Diego’s local mountains, of course I had to take advantage of the conditions and had a snowy adventure day.