About | Brendan O'Connor

Perspective

A few things that say more about me

This page is meant to feel visual and personal, with each section pairing a couple of photos with the story behind them.

Travel

I enjoy places that leave a strong impression and feel memorable long after the trip is over.

Hiking

Being outside, staying active, and working toward longer-term goals is a big part of how I recharge.

Skiing

Winter in New England is something I genuinely enjoy, and skiing is one of the best parts of it.

Travel

Switzerland

One of the highlights of my 2025 trip to Switzerland was spending time in Zermatt and finally seeing the Matterhorn up close. It’s the kind of place that really sticks with you — the views feel huge, the air is crisp, and the whole town has a calm, memorable energy.

What I liked most was how easy it was to slow down and just take it all in. Everywhere you turned, there was another incredible view, and the mountain never stopped feeling impressive.

Zermatt had a great balance of being peaceful and still full of life. Walking through the village, especially later in the day, made the whole experience feel even more special.

Even after a full day there, it still felt like the kind of place you could keep exploring without getting tired of it. It had a very relaxed, memorable feel that made it stand out from the rest of the trip.

That same day, I went to Chez Vrony, which ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. The fondue was excellent, the rest of the food was just as good, and the setting made the meal feel like a perfect Switzerland experience.

Two people standing on the First Cliff Walk above Grindelwald, the Eiger rising behind them — The First Cliff Walk, Grindelwald

The metal cliff walkway at First, Grindelwald, with a Swiss flag flying and the valley far below — The cliff walkway at First

View of the Matterhorn near Zermatt, Switzerland — The Matterhorn above Zermatt

A hiking trail curving toward the Matterhorn above Zermatt — On the trail toward the Matterhorn

Zermatt village at dusk with the Matterhorn looming above it — Zermatt at dusk

Cows grazing in a green alpine meadow with a wooden chalet in the Swiss Alps — An alpine meadow in the Swiss Alps

Travel

Italy

I finally made it to Italy: Milan, Florence, and Lake Como. In Milan I went to the Duomo at dusk, when the piazza was nearly empty and the marble looked unreal against the darkening sky. Florence was mostly wandering: narrow streets, old stone, and at one point a tiny Fiat Topolino parked like part of the scenery.

Lake Como was the best part. Villa del Balbianello sits on a wooded point right over the water, all ivy-covered arches and stone terraces with the lake below. I spent most of the visit just standing on the balustrades looking out at it.

Brendan standing in the nearly empty piazza before the Milan Duomo at dusk — Milan Duomo at dusk

A small cream Fiat Topolino parked on a stone street in Florence — A Fiat Topolino in Florence

Brendan's silhouette framed by an ivy-covered stone arch overlooking Lake Como at Villa del Balbianello — Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como

Brendan on the carved stone balustrade terrace above Lake Como at Villa del Balbianello — The balustrade terrace, Villa del Balbianello

Brendan leaning on a stone balustrade beneath a tree in the gardens of Villa del Balbianello, the lake behind him — The gardens at Villa del Balbianello

Travel

Sardinia

Sardinia was mostly about the water. I spent a day on a boat hopping between coves along the coast, where the water really is that turquoise, and passed sea caves cut into the cliffs along the way.

Back on land it slowed down: a palm-lined path along the water at golden hour, and evenings on the promenade watching the sun go down. The kind of days that don't need much of a plan.

Turquoise water and granite islets in a Sardinian cove with boats at anchor — A cove off the Sardinian coast

Brendan on a palm-lined brick path by the water in Sardinia at golden hour — Golden hour on the waterfront path

Brendan walking a waterfront promenade in Sardinia as the sun sets — Sunset on the promenade

A rigid inflatable boat flying an Italian flag anchored in turquoise water off Sardinia — Out on the water

Sea caves in the cliffs along the Sardinian coast, seen from a boat — Sea caves along the coast

Activity

Hiking in the White Mountains

Another hiking view from the White Mountains of New Hampshire

One of my favorite hobbies is hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It’s a great way for me to disconnect, recharge, and spend time outdoors while taking in some of the best scenery in New England.

What I enjoy most is the combination of challenge and reward. Every trail has its own character, and reaching a summit always makes the effort worth it — especially when the views open up above the trees.

One of my personal goals is to hike all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-footers. It’s a challenge that makes each trip feel like part of a bigger journey, and I enjoy the sense of progress that comes with exploring different peaks across the range.

There’s something especially satisfying about planning a route, getting an early start, and spending a full day on the trail. Whether it’s a familiar hike or a mountain I haven’t done before, every trip has a way of feeling a little different.

I enjoy hiking in every season, but winter is probably my favorite. The trails feel quieter, the scenery has a completely different character, and reaching a summit on a cold, clear day is especially rewarding.

The White Mountains are one of the reasons hiking stays so interesting to me. There’s a lot of variety from one area to the next, and I like that some hikes are more relaxed while others really test your endurance and preparation.

Hiking in the Whites has also taught me to appreciate preparation, pacing, and persistence, which are qualities that carry over well into my professional life too. It’s an activity I keep coming back to and one that continues to be a meaningful part of how I spend my free time.

Activity

Skiing in New England

Skiing is another hobby I really enjoy during the winter, especially across New England. Most of my time on the slopes has been in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, where every mountain has its own feel and personality.

One of the things I like most about skiing here is the variety — from smaller local mountains to bigger resorts, there’s always a different experience depending on the conditions, terrain, and time of year.

I’ve always liked how skiing combines focus, rhythm, and adaptability. No two days are exactly the same, and part of the fun is adjusting to the mountain, the weather, and the conditions as they change.

New England skiing can definitely be challenging at times, but that’s also part of what makes it rewarding. It builds resilience and makes the good snow days, great views, and long runs feel even more memorable.

It’s something I look forward to each season because it gives me a chance to stay active, enjoy the outdoors, and make the most of winter in the Northeast.

Whether I’m skiing for a full weekend or just getting in a day on the mountain, it’s one of the activities I enjoy most during the colder months and something I plan to keep doing for a long time.

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