Eric Ward

man in blue denim jeans standing near gray metal frame during daytime

There Are Heroes Among Us. This is Danny Francisco, a 96-year-old WWII veteran who flew 50 successful missions over Europe as a tail-gunner in a B-17 warplane. He recently had the chance to jump back in the same plane he fought at 18 years old in 1945. Stories like his need to be told as veterans like him are the reason the world is free today. He is a hero that lives among us, and there are plenty more in this great country. Let's not lose sight of how wonderful America is and what it has always stood for.

blue and white fighter plane on gray asphalt road during daytime

This is the B-17 Flying Fortress - a beastly warplane from Boeing used by America during WWII to protect the skies over Europe.

This is the B-17 Flying Fortress - a beastly warplane from Boeing used by America during WWII to protect the skies over Europe. This is the cockpit of a plane with 4 turboprop engines.

man in black jacket holding black and red rifle

This is the inside B-17 Flying Fortress - a beastly warplane from Boeing used by America during WWII to protect the skies over Europe. This room was for the men responsible for dropping the bombs on whatever targets they were assigned.

grayscale photo of man in plaid shirt and cap looking at the sky

brown wooden bench on snow covered ground under blue and white cloudy sky during daytime

On the northern island of Japan lies the Niseko resort and surrounding mountains. Growing up and skiing in the Sierra Nevada mountains, traveling to Japan with your gear felt odd in the beginning. After we got settled in, we discovered some of the best snow we've ever experienced and didn't want to leave the island.

snow covered road between houses during daytime

This side street led us back home to our lodge after a long night of sushi and sake with the locals at an underground bar where we played Mario Kart and kendama. We emerged to find new snow falling and couldn't wait to get up in a few hours to get first tracks...

man in blue zip up hoodie wearing black sunglasses

Our friend collects snowflakes as we prepare for an epic day of powder skiing in the mountains of rural Japan!

black asphalt road in between brown field under blue sky during daytime

Driving through this much desert can mess with your head, thinking you've gone past the same mountain range or sand dune 100 times. But this was a rare site - there are only a handful of paved roads in Namibia, and when you find one you're more than happy to keep truckin'.