I remember the very first time I arrived at the Westgate River Ranch in 2005. I had just moved to Florida in late-2003, so the world of palm trees, alligators, and best of all, year-round boating still had me in a state of constant intrigue. And so there I was, at a place that looked like a movie set to a Clint Eastwood western.
Up until this time, I had already attended quite a few large events, but the River Ranch would represent something completely different that would make this one of the most incredible events on the boating calendar. Unlike most events, where attendees would stay at different hotels, ultimately congregating on the water, the River Ranch is essentially a small city, providing the hotel, launch ramp, and places to eat. There's even a rodeo. Everything takes place in one location. It is a place that is so large that golf carts can be rented. Oh, we'll get to that in Part II, don't worry. There is even a small airport on the property.
Dennis Vitolo making a photo-shoot pass in his Diamond Marine-powered STV |
I wanted to keep this feature all about the photos, so I'll continue my story-telling in Part II, but it is the photos that really tell the story of the River Ranch. Over the ten-plus years of this event, I have shot over 100,000 photos and assembling images that I felt are representative of the timeline of this incredible event proved to be difficult. In the end, I chose 200 images that will tell this story, and it will be broken down into four parts.
And so, from I will let the photos tell the story. It has been an incredible decade of experiences at the River Ranch, and I am forever grateful for all of the memories and friendships I have made at the River Ranch. Enjoy the photos!
River Ranch Images - click to enlarge
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