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It was with great excitement and enthusiasm, to arrive at Monument Valley National Monument; in anticipation of our long-awaited photo shoot (it was on our bucket list). That said however we were told our 25-foot RV would not be permitted inside the park. We were so disappointed! We were offered a jeep tour but we really wanted the freedom to roam and not be rushed; as most photographers do. Disappointed, we continued on our way, but imagine however how elated we were when we came across a country gravel road that was just outside the park! Without hesitation we turned in and we didn’t have to go very far before we found ourselves over the moon in excitement, “Oh wow”, we declared, “what a gift!”. We parked in (what felt like), our own, private cubbyhole and viewing area. It was here that there we enjoyed the entire day and we got some very unique shots, including this one (yay!). I intentionally included this gnarled cedar tree in this photograph. I felt it was needed to help create a sense of depth and to break up the vastness of the blue sky too. That said, without the tree in the foreground, this photograph would have lacked interest too. Now, with more substance to the photograph, it demands the viewers' attention and then makes them look deeper. We were ever so thankful for this spectacular day! “Pinch me!” Monument Valley is located in northern Arizona and on the south east border of Utah. It’s known for its towering sandstone formations that soar 400 to 1000 feet above the valley floor.
THE GRAND SUNRISE I’ve always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon when there was snow on the ground and as luck should have it, I had a small window of opportunity in the middle of December, 2022. I wanted to camp near the Grand Canyon but it was much to cold to park my RV (without winterizing it) so I boon-docked in Sedona instead, albeit below freezing there too. My goal was to be at the Grand Canyon before sunrise so I left at 4 a.m.; knowing that it was going to be a dark and slippery trip (especially Oak Creek Canyon). Wow, lucky me…. I arrived 10 minutes before sunrise with just enough time to set up my camera and count to 10 (lol)! The sunrise was incredibly pretty and the colors were colors I hadn’t seen in the Grand Canyon before; it was fun to watch the sun fill the canyon and the colors change as it did. There were approximately 40 other visitors watching the sunrise but because it was so cold (-15C/5) they all left, and I had the canyon to myself. It was nice to be the only one there but I was SO, so cold and although I was dressed for the cold my fingers were throbbing as I fumbled around with my camera settings. That said, I (almost) wanted to chuckle because my fingers wouldn’t work but sheesh, the pain! I was so very thankful for this opportunity that it kept me “focused” :-) on my photography passion. That said, what photographers will do for a photograph! I braved the cold until 1 p.m. (I was so done). I have now visited the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in all types of weather, so my next visit will have to be from either the canyon floor (rafting) or the North Rim (which is closed during the winter months).
