Wow.

Yes, John, Yes.

I never met John Waller, but we were both guides for Joe Whittington at Oregon Peak Adventures back in my Portland and early Bend days.

I remember John more specifically because he took some stunning photos of Steens Mountain Wilderness for ONDA. I can’t seem to find any of those pics online, but they were amazing: golden fall scenes, a dusting of snow in the upper reaches of Big Indian Gorge, and hikers, strolling down the trail (the Oregon Desert Trail that is!).

I sensed he was a fellow adventurer: always seeking the next experience, leading from a place of curiosity.

I vaguely remember he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer a few years ago, but it wasn’t until I thought to look him up recently that I learned more about his life, and found this TEDx talk (give yourself 20 minutes).

The presentation he gave feels like the outline of something taken directly from my brain, however, he has also marinated in the mortality of life in a deeper way than I have…and there are several aspects of his journey I haven’t explored yet.

His words are so simple, but so true:

I’m here. Right now. Talking with you. What a gift this is.

John has since passed.