2021 Guest Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Guest Photo Contest! Thank you to all who entered and voted. Be sure to submit your photos for the 2022 photo contest by December 31, 2022.
First Place
Ben Lackey
I captured this shot as my girlfriend and I were walking through the Narrows in Zion National Park. Storm clouds started to form above us and we turned around to head out of the canyon. The crowds had thinned so we were left wading alone along the canyon walls, with the solitude allowing us to have a deeper appreciation for what a beautiful place we were in.
Second Place
Erin Island
This group was so much fun! Our leaders (Lee Grindstaff, Kai Gundersen and David Forest), are the absolute BEST… They took care of every detail and kept us laughing the whole time. Here we all are in the Pisgah National Forest at the overlook of Looking Glass Falls. Truly one of the best parts of our Backroads trip was getting to know all these fun people from all over the country. I love this photo because it shows the camaraderie that quickly developed between us. We had a blast together all week!
Third Place
Steven J. Rose
I shot these sea otters from a water taxi in Kachemak Bay, Alaska, that was shuttling us to the trailhead for our hike to Grewingk Glacier (spectacular!). The morning light warmed their faces, and to me they look like a group of old friends discussing the otter news of the day and swapping stories about successful crustacean kills. I’d like to think that they were silently giving thanks for the privilege of living in a pristine and bountiful place.
Fourth Place
Emily Edwards
One morning on the Hawaii trip, a group of us took advantage of our jet lag and met up at sunrise for an outrigger canoe outing. We had paddled a fairly good distance from our hotel when the guide had us pull up as he gave us some cultural insight around the outrigger, and then he sang a traditional chant for us. As I listened, I couldn't help but marvel at my surroundings - the sky, the breeze, the sway of the ocean. Then, I noticed one of my tripmates leaning back, basking in the glory of the entire experience. Her posture captured the essence of what we all felt that morning - peace, gratitude, relaxation and pure bliss.
Fifth Place
Janet Lawton
This shot was taken with my cell phone from our kayak as the sun rays were shining down from stormy clouds just before it started raining. We were headed to Our Lady of the Rocks in the Bay of Kotor on our last day of the Croatia to Montenegro trip. It was the only rain we saw during back-to-back Backroads trips, and despite the rain it was a beautiful kayak ride to a beautiful church.