We took a different route from Washington to Texas than we had when we brought Amy and the kids from Texas to Washington. We had a much more scenic route in mind. We pretty much sped through Idaho, missing our favorite sights from the 2006 trip, such as Shiprock mountain, and lots of wonderful rock formations heading up to Salt Lake City. If you would like to see some of the photos from that trip, you can at My Old Photographic Memories blog. This trip we wanted to see the Grand Canyon. So our route took a southward turn out of Salt Lake and we saw a whole different world.
The two photos below are side and front views of the same rock. We stopped rather suddenly when we came over the hill and saw the formation. The formation in the photo above is across the road from the formation below. We were literally surrounded by beauty. I really like the side view below; it reminds me of a staircase of stone. The front view will give you an idea of the size of the formation. It looked literally like someone sawed the side of the rock away. If it was done by men working on the highway, it seemed unnecessary, since it was so far from the road. But I don't know anything about road building, so I don't make judgments. But I can and do admire the beauty in the rock, and my hope it that it's a natural formation.
As we headed south, the rock got darker and richer in color. We wanted to go to Arches National Park (you know, the photos!) but we ran out of time. We had to get to the Grand Canyon in time to see it, and the trip from the North Rim to the South Rim was several hours' drive! So we drove and only stopped for quick pit-stops and a few photos.
The formations themselves also changed as we drove, with more formations of the type below. This looks more volcanic in nature to me than the previous rocks we saw.
And just before we hit Arizona, the landscape really changed! We felt as if we had left an enchanted valley. But we were very anxious to get to the South Rim by the "golden hour" and get some good photos (seeing both rims would not have worked, as we had to get to our cabin in the Kaibab National Forest in time to see the way.). And get good photos we did!
Well, I guess there will be a Day 3 1/2 to give the Grand Canyon its' due. We saw the canyon itself, some pretty cool wildlife (coyote, raven, moose), the Watchtower, and all-in-all had a very memorable visit. But I could not let our time in Utah get lost in the shuffle. Those rocks are worth seeing. If you ever get a chance, drive south from Salt Lake and enjoy. Don't forget to bring a camera!More later,
Mike Z
8/17/08 PS - John Corney, one of my favorite photographer/bloggers, posted some photos of Arches National Park that I think are quite amazing! Please go visit (use the link to get to the right page) and check out the amazing rock formations!
Amazing pictures, Mike. Those rocks are gorgeous. I love the stairway formation too. Especially with all the plants growing in it. Really breathtaking. Stunning colours. Unlike in the Rockies, it's all grey's. I've been to Salt Lake but didn't have the chance to drive out of the city that trip. Maybe next time. Thanks Mike. Heather
ReplyDeleteHI! thanks for the rock-pictures - i looooooooooooooove geology, and these pics are the coolest geology !!! i have enjoyed them enormously :D:D
ReplyDeleteand ofcause these pictures would not look soo good without your sharp eye to catch the composition and textures!!! beautiful!!
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteNice work! Well I'm no geologist, but I've been to Utah often enough now to say that I'd bet no man had a hand in carving out those steps in the rock. When I was driving across the Sonora Pass (north side of Yosemite)the thought that kept crossing my mind was that the landscape was put together, well, by a "landscaper". Time, wind, snow, rain, and the movement of the earth comes up with some amazing shapes and forms out here in the west.
Thanks for your kind comments about my shots of Arches. I'm hoping to get some time to look over a few more I have from that trip.
As the summer winds down, have you got any plans for more trips? When things cool down I'm headed to the big dunes in east San Diego County, but that won't be till late October or November. By then the sun will be much lower in the sky too, and hopefully will cast some great shadows on the dunes.
Keep up the great work. Love seeing your work.
John
John- thank you so much for taking time to see the Utah pictures. To paraphrase another blog friend, paintergranny, the compliment means a lot when it comes from another artist.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with the "landscaper" idea, I have had it myself on many occasions out there. Just wish I had time to see (and shoot) more of it.
Unfortunately, no plans to do any touring outside Texas for a while. I hope to find and photograph some places or things that folks might find interesting, though. am always on the lookout for that!
Please visit again! I hope to have some shots of Grand Canyon and the Arizona Meteor Crater up in a few days (or weeks... :-)
Best regards,
Mike Z