© 2020 Romi Boon All Rights Reserved
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).
Our mornings at the Art Expo (in Scottsdale, Arizona), often start with a bike ride through the desert; it’s such an awesome and privileged way to start a winter day. The sandy trail is narrow, undulating and curves around a myriad of saguaro trees and desert plants; it's an entertainingly delightful ride! While cycling, I’ve noticed many great compositions, and have pledged to return with my camera, but only when the lighting was right. On this particular day, as the sun rose and the blue sky was awakening, the dark grey clouds were highlighted in yellow, the contrast was striking. I remembered a grouping of chollas that were not far from our RV so I gathered up my camera gear and hightailed it to that very spot; my timing was perfect!
