We had the good fortune of connecting with Deb Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deb, how do you think about risk?
I found taking risks in life opens up fresh opportunities. Stepping out of your comfort zone and into the unknown encourages one to embrace change and dwell in the possibilities of what could be when you take the risk to try something new. Being open to change moved me from New Jersey to California when I was 26. A new environment presented possibilities which gave me the motivation to operate my own photography business in Santa Barbara for over 25 years…and then shift happened again and my husband and I took a chance to move from California (where I thought I would live forever) to Colorado—from the known to the unknown. Once again, a whole new world of possibilities opened up and many unexpected adventures awaited us. We bought a Cricket camper and explored the Western States including a 51 day road trip to the Pacific Northwest which solidified our desire to live simple, small and serene so within a few months after that trip, we shifted again from living on the Front Range to moving to a quiet rural town in the Wet Mountain Valley where we now live in a small mountain cabin with a spectacular view of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. How did we get here? By taking one risk at a time and embracing change…and that has made for a very interesting life journey.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
If anyone deserves recognition, it’s my Mom who was a strong, determined woman and who gave me my wings to fly! I had an epiphany at the age of 12 that I was to be responsible for my own life and that moment of realization motivated me at a young age. I knew in middle school I wanted to be a photographer and was fortunate when I graduated from high school I became a photo apprentice at the age of 17. I worked at a studio in New Jersey for eight years before being diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 1983 which was a life changing moment along with the overseas trip I had taken to New Zealand just a few months before where I met a man who eventually become my first husband who lived in Santa Barbara, California, which is how I ended up there in 1984. I have always been focused and self-motivated to make things happen. I do read a lot of books and do not watch television (except for movies on Netflix). One particular author that has inspired me is Stuart Wilde with his small pocket size book called “Weight Loss for the Mind” followed by “Infinite Self, 33 Steps to Reclaiming Your Inner Power.” I reread them often.


Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would have them stay at Ravens’ Lodging right on Main St. They would settle in the first night to acclimate to the altitude of over 7,800′ and enjoy a leisurely walkabout around the town of Westcliffe shopping in the unique mom & pop stores. We would meet up at the Silver West Feedstore for drinks and dinner. Rise and shine early on Day 2 to take a modest hike on the Rainbow Trail for a comfortable distance. Back in town, grab a bite to eat at Chappy’s Mountain Grill. As the sun sets, we have a reservation at the Smokey Jack Observatory to gaze deep into the galaxy and learn a few prominent constellations in the dark sky. Day 3 is a drive on the Frontier Pathways to self tour the unique Bishop Castle and to enjoy the serenity of Lake Isabel with a stroll around the recreational lake. Take a back road to return to the Valley and have a guided tour of Mission: Wolf. If a visitor is lucky, you will hear them howl or get kissed by a wolf. Day 4 starts with a delicious hearty breakfast at CHUDS, followed by a full day horseback riding experience at Music Meadows Ranch. Day 5 is early to rise to hit the trailhead for a challenging 12+ mile hike up Comanche, across Phantom Terrace and down Venable trail. The views are spectacular and the accomplishment is rewarding. Day 6 is down time to just relax, unwind and enjoy a slow pace meandering through the art galleries and historic museums in town after you grab a breakfast burrito at the Stage Stop in the morning, enjoy a concert in the park in the afternoon and have a hand-packed ice cream cone at Sugarlump to sweeten a perfect day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am now retired from professional photography, or as I prefer to say, liberated from the working world. I am grateful for the 42 year career I enjoyed with 34 of them being self-employed. It was not easy but it was all very rewarding because I had control over my life with all the time, energy and efforts determined by my own desires and doing. I loved my profession and the opportunity to photograph thousands of people throughout my career. It was a wonderful time of life. Now I have taken all the experience and skills learned over time and apply them to my role as a community leader with Custer County Tourism and whatever may come next. Volunteerism keeps me busy and I continue to dwell in possibility…

Website: https://visitwetmountainvalley.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewetmountainvalley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visitwetmountainvalley

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCmn5–kxpMRHxQl2Bw_b1w

Image Credits
Debbie Adams

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