Saguaro at Senset at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Finding out how sharp a Barrel Cactus was

Ocotillo, Seaweed of the Desert

Crazy About Cacti

After doing the amazing night shots at Joshua Tree NP, it was time to start heading back towards Phoenix. Ethan and I piled in the van for a long drive Past the Sultan Sea, massive sand dunes and huge RV parks. Eventually we arrived late in the afternoon at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

We left the Joshua Trees behind for all kinds of Cacti. I was amazed at the size and variety stretched out on the landscape before us (most of the cacti I have seen have been in small pots and tend to die in my office). Here there was massive Saguaro and Organ Pipe Cacti. We arrived just in time to watch the sun go down behind a field of these giants; some must have been over 15ft high right beside out site.

We set up the van in a campground, which consisted of over 200 sites in a flat area surrounded by cacti, not the kind of place where you want to stagger around in the dark. We probably ate the food of the trip here with a nice fried steak that night and a Mexican breakfast the next morning.

The next day we headed for a drive through the Ajo Mountain Drive and got some great perspective on the landscape. The one photo below is a result of a little game I liked to call “How sharp is this cactus?”

The last shot is of an Ocotillo, one of my favourite plants on the trip. We caught a few of these in bloom on the trip. They look like a giant seaweed plant growing out of the desert!

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.

Whatch Yah Dune?

After photos at the Salt Flats, Ethan wanted to head up to this place called the Racetrack. It’s an area where wind has blown rocks across mud flats, so it looks like the rocks are moving. The photos of the place looked amazing and I was getting excited to see it. The park rangers warned us on more then one occasion that it is a very rough road, and you need high clearance on your vehicle to get there. Ethan decided the VW van could make it.

About 5 miles down the 27 mile road we heard a bang, then eventually a part dragging. After stopping we discovered that the washboard road had caused the shock to overheat and explode (Check out Ethan’s blog for photos). After some laughing and cursing, we turned around to head back, only to have the other shock blow up as well.

At this point we decided to get out of there and head for the place to camp. The next morning before we headed in to town to hopefully fix the van, we stopped by some sand dunes for sunrise. This turned out to be one of the best photo opportunities of the trip so far. The light on the dunes was amazing, and the setting moon provided some outstanding photos. In the one below, Ethan took off up this large dune. Though he was moving fast to begin with, He quickly slowed down and crawled to the top.

Those Death Valley Days

Well Ethan and I survived Vegas and made our way to Death Valley. The scenery on the drive was outstanding. In a short while you drive through hills, plateaus and badlands. I got to drive the VW van and it chugged up a few hills, and gave me a warning light once, but overall, it made it ok.

At Death Valley we have been checking our some of the more popular places, scenic vistas and the salt flats. The first morning we went to Zabriskie Point for sunrise. I managed to catch a nice shot, while Ethan decided he needed a different angle and took off up the side of a major hill faster then if they where offering free chicken wings.


After that we headed to the salt flats, on the way a Coyote stopped us on the road, although it was cool to see it close, it was sad to think that it was this habituated to being feed by people.

The salt flats in Death Valley are the lowest place in the U.S., over 200ft below sea level. And I am happy to say that I had a meal of bacon at the lowest place in the states.

Next post, rough roads and their effect on VW vans!

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

Hello,
So here I am in Central America. Exploring the sites taking advantage of every opportunity. I arrived in Antigua and met up with the tour group and was off for a world wind tour. I had time to explore the streets and market iun Antigua before heading off to Copan. There we toured some amazing ruins. After that we headed to the island of Utila wich has so far been a highlight for me. Between the snorkeling, scuba diving and time on the beach, it was an amazing time.

Here are some of the photos from my journey so far:




In Antigua, spotting my first Volcano



At the ruins in Copan, doing the jaguar dance.



Snorkeling off an amazing beach on the island of Utila



The sun setting before a night dive!

It's Been A While

Well I will be off travelling again soon and hopefully will be taking some photos along the way (yah right my camera will be permanently attached to my hand.

this time its 3 weeks travelling in Central America!! From Guatemala, to Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Sun, Sand Cerveza and possible hurricanes, makes it all exciting.

I will update leading up to the trip and maybe once or twice while I am down there, but I imagain I will be a little busy. Anyways here is an outline of where I am going.

Volcano Trail
http://www.gapadventures.com/tour/JGS

Trip Home

Well that’s it, a few weeks of traveling then there is the trip home. It’s been an amazing adventure, but I guess I have to start work at some point. Driving home I passed the Table Mountains near the south western shore of Newfoundland, they are just spectacular, makes me just want to climb all over the place.

On trip home I made a few pit stops to see some friends along the way. Quick stops in Peterburough, Niagara and Guelph let me catch up with some people. In Niagara Lucie and Mark showed me around a bit, which included taking some shots of an old rusted boat, wines tours and leaf jumping, a total and complete day.
But now I am home and it is time to review the almost 1500 photos I took. I can probably delete a few. Anyways that’s it for this trip, though I may find a few as I go through the photos to post. I will however keep posting with news and photos and such for those that are interested, till then, safe travels.

Trick or Treat

So when it came time to head out and get some candy, Nathan arrived from daycare asleep. Apparently he had missed his nap. So we let him sleep for a bit, but of course we could not let him sleep through Halloween. So eventually we woke him up, though he was a little slow to get moving. Finally with the mention of candy Pooh Bear was ready to head out. So after a couple of houses, and a ridiculously large about of candy from a few people (I think Nathan is a favourite on the street), Nathan started to get tired. Which meant Nathan finished up Halloween on my shoulders, and me ducking at each door. Now after maybe 10 houses he was pooched and it was time to go home, from the last photo of the night you can see he was done for the night.

Well its been fun but tomorrow it is time to head back to Ontario.

Halloween

Ok so now comes the onslaught of ridiculously cute photos. Nathan and I got to carve pumpkins, and make some spooky faces, he was defiantly a fan of the spooky faces as you can see. He also did not really like the fell of pumpkin guts, so most of the work fell on me and Sherri. He got in there for some of the work though. He also ended up modeling his costume for us. Though at one point he said he wanted to be Winnie the Pooh as batman, which I though would have been a cool costume.

Relaxing In St John's

Well I made it to St. Johns ok and met up with Sherri and Nathan. It’s nice to just have once spot to hang out and relax for a few days. I ended up heading to Marti Gras on George St. to see some amazing costumes, some people must spend all year on them. I also got screeched in, which basically involves do a shot, reciting something which I have no idea what it means and kissing a puffin, well when in St Johns.

Besides have a play day with my nephew I toured around a bit. I ended up going to Signal Hill and Cape Spear, which where both really neat. And yes I got my photo taken at the most eastern point in Canada. The view from Signal Hill at night is amazing and despite the strong wind, I managed to get off a photo or two.

Tearing It Up In Terra Nova

So after an awesome hike out to see Bakers Brook falls in the rain. The falls where awesome and I even saw a bald eagle fly by. After that headed to Terra Nova and ended up helping out the interpretive staff there get ready for a special Halloween event. They opened up their visitor center and did Halloween games and haunted tours. They let me help out with the touch tank, where you can touch starfish, mussels and crabs. The staff there even put me up in one of the staff houses for the night and invited me to a BBQ. Terra Nova was defiantly a blast and everyone there was a lot of fun to hang out with.

Now to St. John’s.

The Plan

Well things are wraping up here in St. Johns. I still have tons more posts and photos from Terra Nova and here to post when I get a chance. But for now, I bolt back towards Ontario tomorrow. Its going to be a long drive, but well worth it. The plan right now is to be in Peterburough Friday night, Niagara Saturday night and Guelph Sunday night. So if any one the is up for something just email me and let me know. Well till the next post, have a good one.

Rainy Days

Well it is still raining here, but that has not really stopped me. Just makes everything really moody for photos. This entire area is so rugged and gorgious. This morning I was woken up to the wind rocking my car back and forth along the shoreline. I think the next nigth I will park somewhere a little more sheltered.

Today I went around to some of the shorter hiking trails and the tablelands, which provided plenty of picture opportunities, plus a couple of moose sitings. I think I would rather see them on a trail then encounter one on the road in my car. Hopefully my car would be small enough that they would just step right over. I have also been talking with some of the park staff, they have been awesome about telling me which trails are the best and the places I should see.

Well one more day here then its off to Terra Nova. Tonight however I am going out for a nice meal of pan fried cod, figure I have to try it once.

Gros Morne Goodness

Driving off the ferry it was still dark out. As I drove down the Trans Canada Highway the sun started to come up over the hills. On the way up to Gros Morne I took a detour at Stephenville to drive out along the shoreline. I ended up heading down this very bumpy road to an old abandoned fishing village. After a while I was on my way to Gros Morne. Gros Morne is awesome. Again I have a campsite right on the edge if the ocean. The clouds in the sky provided some amazing looking sea-scapes.

The rain just started here today and is making hiking a little difficult, but there is still so much to see and do. Rain just means I have to curl up for a night in my car.

Still Here

Well its been a while but I am still around. I have been camping and not near any computers, so I have been saving up photos and updates for now. I have made it to St John’s, Newfoundland.

Last I left off I posted some photos from Cape Breton Highlands, it was a little foggy and rainy, but the day I drove to North Sydney to take the ferry it was nice and sunny. Along the way I checked out some of the hiking trails along the Cabot Trail. The one called the skyline trail was striking. You hike along a ride till you come out right at the edge of the ocean.

Now at the end of that day I figured I would take the ferry to Newfoundland. I tried to make a reservation for the ferry, but their system was down. So when I got there I was put on a waiting list with 6 cars ahead of me. I figured there was no way I was getting on the ferry. Then they ended up only having enough room to fit my car with about 3 inches between my bumper and the ramp on the boat. I ended up going ahead of all the people in the waiting line because of my awesome small car..

So now I have plenty of photos and updates to make when I get the chance.