We Made It!!!!

After a early and long day of traveling, Linda and I made it to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We pick up our great little orange car in Phoenix and booted it to the Grand Canyon. It was an early morning and a late night when we got there, so we decided to call it a night and save the canyon for the morning.

After a terrible nights sleep (I bought the wrong size air mattress for the tent), it ended up early morning. So we checked in and headed out on the Bright Angel Trails. There where alot of people on it and alot coming back up the trail looking exhausted. But we made it down to the first rest stop and back again with out keeling over. Not bad for our first hike of the trip. On out way back we saw people urging their kids to get closer to some elk near the lodge, I found peoples complete lack of respect for the animals amazing, but I guess it happens all the time. Luckily a ranger showed up and warned people before anything happened.

After a quick rest and a great supper, we headed off to watch the sunset. It may have been in the company of hundreds of other people, but it was still spectacular. Tomorrow we head off to do some rafting in the canyon and then head to the north rim, a place I have not been yet. Not bad for 2 days in!


Our "Tangerine" Car


Bright Angel Trail, more switch backs then you can shake a stick at!


One of those wildlife interactions that could so easily go bad


Worth the trip on the first day!

Joshua Tree and Local Entertainment

After many miles south and one heck of a good omelet, we arrived at Joshua Tree National Park. We pass through some unique areas, such as Wonder Valley, an old war vet retirement area that is now and artist and social recluse sanctuary.

I was not sure what to expect, I have seen pictures of the trees, but I was half expecting a flat area with lots these odd trees. What awaited me was a rugged landscape, amazing rock formations, and the most bizarre “trees” I have ever seen. We found a campsite and settled in for the night as a spectacular sunset highlighted the rocks around us.

Over the next day we explored the park, finally found a shower, and had a lot of fun with some star trails and light painting shots. We had some of the best light of the whole trip in Joshua Tree. Later we headed in to town to the Joshua Tree Saloon, which apparently had an open mike night. The local talent was certainly entertaining and ended a great day at Joshua Tree.

Working Van!!!

Well luck was with and the van is fixed. We headed in to Pahrump, Nevada, which can only be described as an interesting little town. There we where first told that the parts needed to fix the van where going to take 3 days to get there. Pahrump is not where I wanted to spend 3 days. After some phone calls and shear luck, we found the parts and an open garage late on a Sunday. After a quick fix, we got on our way.

We drove to the north end of the park, with the intent of shooting some night shots at a local ghost town. After feeling very uninspired by the old building and odd artwork, we decided to head back to the campground and call it a night. On the way we watched the sun go down and after deciding to pull over and get some shots. Am I ever glad we did, they turned out to be some really great sunset photos. The one below with the car passing is my favorite.

Tomorrow we make the long drive to Joshua Tree. There is another place I am looking forward to.

Southern States Trip

It’s been a long while, but since I am traveling again, it is time to post some photos. I joined up with a friend of mine, Ethan (www.ethanmeleg.blogspot.com), who is doing a photo road trip across the States. I joined him in Phoenix for a world wind tour of the Southwestern States.

So far the trip has been interesting and certainly there are some stories to tell. After a much delayed flight due to snow in Chicago, I met up with Ethan and we headed out of Phoenix right away. We made out way north to near Sedona. It was late and dark so we just made out way there and crashed for the night. The next morning was my first exploration of the Southwest. We drove around Sedona and stopped at Cathedral rock, and amazing rock formation. The stops where short since we wanted to get to the Grand Canyon as soon as possible.

Though the trip is meant to be VW van vagabond road trip, due to time and the cold temperature, we stayed in hotels for the first couple nights. This was definitely true of the Grand Canyon. The whole area was covered in a foot of snow. Not quite was I was expecting, and chilly when then wind started to blow. At one point Ethan disappeared for a while, I assumed he went over the edge, but turns out he was just getting a killer shot without me. Here are some of the shots I got of the Canyon during sunset and sunrise the next day.

Next we are off to Vegas for one night, Then Death Valley