© 2020 Romi Boon All Rights Reserved
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).
This shot was taken from the upper, west side of Lizard head trail and looking north towards the renowned Devil’s Bridge. Sometimes luck plays a major component of capturing that “spectacular photo", and this was one such a photo! "Luck" was definitely with me on this day; not only did Sedona receive snow, on the day I happened to be hiking, but my timing and perspective was spot on! The view was stellar and I knew it was rare; lucky me! I love the dark foreground; it anchors the photograph. I also love the variety of colors; blue, orange, yellow and green; stunning. This shot is (most definitely) one of my many favorites.
This photograph of Cathedral Rock took some planning. A couple years back, we drove along the base of Cathedral Rock, in search of the perfect spot to photograph this regal mountain. When we arrived, I knew with the setting sun, that the mountain's vibrancy and clarity would only last minutes. I scurried up a gravel covered hillside to my pre-planned vantage point. I didn’t look back; I had one thing in mind; get I high as I could, as quickly as you I could! Cathedral Rock is just one of the many sandstone buttes that surround the city of Sedona, Arizona. The towering Red Rock Mountains of Sedona are world famous and attracts over 3 million visitors every year. Cathedral Rock is one of the most-photographed landmarks in Sedona, and of Arizona too. Typically, those who fly into Phoenix, with plans to visit The Grand Canyon, will take the short detour into Sedona. The south rim of the Grand Canyon is 2 hours north of Sedona.
