Note: Please make sure you see the end of this post for the new way of doing things. It’s only one small change we made in November, but a change nonetheless. Thanks!
And just like that, the first month of 2021 is in the books.
For me, it felt like several months packed into one, at least with everything going on – in my world, as well as the world beyond.

Change and hope is something I am sure many of us look forward to, though I’ll admit, we may be looking at it in different ways. We’re still in a global pandemic, and there’s still a ton of tension politically around the world. Here’s hoping by the end of this year we are somewhat back to normal. People need that in their lives.
Alas, we’re here for a photo challenge.
I hope you all had a good first month of the year and here’s also hoping for the future months to be as good or better. Be safe and healthy and here are my five for the month.
1. Hope for peace
We’ve had quite the year behind us. I know this is a big hope, but I can wish, can’t I? Even if the peace is just a little more calmness in the States and around the world. It would be nice for people to get along more. I understand many people are on opposite sides of thoughts and opinions, but let’s remember we’re all human.
I chose this photo as when I see visions like this, I always wonder how we can’t get along and enjoy these beautiful parts of life.

2. Hope to explore
I didn’t explore enough in 2020. I want that to change this year.
Again, with the pandemic, many things shut down, and often extended work hours, I got out of the practice of doing things I could still do – such as hiking, visiting parks, and geocaching. This needs to change in 2021. I have to get out and see things. There is so much within a couple of hours of me that there isn’t an excuse to not go.

3. Hope to geocache more
Piggybacking off No. 2, I hope to just get out and cache more. I barely did anything in 2020 when it comes to geocaching. I just didn’t have the drive. So far in 2021, I’ve made the effort to get out a few times and I hope that will continue throughout the year. I’m not saying I will be getting 1,000 finds or anything, but it would be a nice change to actually go participate in this hobby some.

4. Hope to take more photos
This one is a little different and is a change. By change, I mean actually get out with the intention of taking photos. I took a bunch of photos in 2020, but not usually with the ideas of it being a photo day. I want to get out with my camera again – not just my phone. I want to use some of the lenses I have and find places to get good images. I’m not saying my phone won’t be a major part of photography for me, but I want to do more with it overall.

5. Hope this glove got home
The glove sure seemed lonely. Here’s hoping the owner found the glove, or at least this glove continues to keep the lock warm!

And there are my five for the month!
If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.
And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).
Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.
** CHALLENGE CHANGE **
From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.
That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.
So, below is the linkup for December. Make sure you drop your link there. The theme for February is I spy with my eye … Remember to come back on March 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month!
Photo Blogging Challenge: January 2021 results
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!
You have some very insightful thoughts. Yes, this pandemic has changed almost everything we do and the way we approach experiences. Your first photo is stunning! I love the colors. I also love the snowy covered bridge photo. Lovely! I hope this year brings more normalcy to everyone. Photography goes a long way to offering peace….for me. ?
Lisa recently posted..January Photo Challenge: Change and Hope
Great set of shots P.J. I too want to get back to exploring. I’m trying to get back in shape so I can start to backpack again.
I want to try a 4 nighter, with short 6 to 7 mile hikes between spots this summer, provided I can get the vaccinations. Then I want to attempt the High Sierra Trail and summit Mt. Whitney – another bucket list item.
If those are successful, the hope is to hike the John Muir Trail the following summer – another bucket list item.
Looks like mittens are the secret prompt of the month 😉
Love your picture number 1 – is it sunrise or set?
The tunnel bridge may lead to the hopeful future!
Tamara Gerber recently posted..Secret Subject Swap – Love Story
I’m with you on these hopes! I actually went out and found some caches a few weekends ago and also did one of the Adventure Lab things. It was a good day! Happy New Year! I hope it’s a good one
Love your photos PJ!
Could the lock glove be intentional to prevent freezing shut or is that a clueless city girl thought? I’m fine either way
Hey PJ, the silver lining in being so slow to blog hop for PBC is that I have the benefit of distance/perspective. I hold many of the same hopes you expressed through photography at the start of the year…with the addition of hoping my turn to be vaccinated against COVID-19 comes along within a few months. 🙂 On the exploration front, we keep walking/hiking the same trails in Canmore – they are beautiful and we’re so lucky to get out and about here every week – and to try to keep our appreciation “fresh”, we sometimes decide on a photo theme for a particular walk. On the geocaching front, have you logged the travel bug on Mars yet?