Birthday with Friends in the Southwest- January 2005

There is hardly an more beautiful place than Sedona AZ. Along with Zion Canyon, these are the 2 most beautiful places in the world. What better way to celebrate my 43 birthday than with my 2 friends, John Merkle and Christine Hoyer. We flew into Phoenix and made our way up to Sedona for a few days of hiking, eating and shopping (that is John's department)



Here 2/3rds of the motley crew wait for our flight to Phoenix

Sedona takes your breath away no matter what direction you look and in January there is not a soul on the back country trails

Christine on the Red Rocks

This is the Secret Knowledge of Water shot- for those of you interested see my book recommendations and read Craig Childs Secret Knowledge of Water it is a classic

John Merkle moving smartly on the trail

No trip so close to the Grand Canyon is complete without actually going. We spent a great day at the South Rim. Got John to hike about a 1/2 mile down

The canyon changes minute by minute depending on the light of day. Every moment here is amazing.

Moving deeper into the canyon on South Kaibab trail

Christine and I ventured a little further down. The pull of the Colorado River is strong... I will have to come back and get all the way down soon.

wildlife watching is a favorite pastime outside. Here a very pretty "blue bird" sings in a tree

Down and up posing with an "unreal" backdrop

We spent a day in Flagstaff as well. We visited Mt Humphreys, the highest point in Arizona. On this January day a very busy sky destination. I have never been to a sky slope before.

Mt Humphrey and Doyle Peak (right of Humphrey) and Freemont Peak ( left of Humphrey) from the West side of Flagstaff in Sunset Crater N.M.

John on trail in Sunset Crater N.M. near Sunset Crater Volcanoe

A view of the Painted Desert and Hopi Reservation land from Sunset Crater N.M. scenic road

Mt Humphrey and its brothers from Wupakti National Monument

More of Mt Humphrey from the desert floor

Wupakti National Monument ruins. John gave us a history lesson as we toured the site

More ruins

Further west is Meteor Crater and amazing site caused by a car sized meteorite.

A nice museum and viewing area, although privately run and fee based to get in. Today we made it with about 15 minutes to spare before closing

Great views across the desert from the crater site.

Trip Recommendations-

Hotel

Best Western Sedona- best view from top of the hill.

Restaurants-

Judy's- Ribs can't be beat

Dahl and DaLuca- Just about the best food on the planet- veal and fettuccine

Cowboy Club- snake as a appetizer!

Coyote Cathedral- October 2004

Badlands National Park- Christine and I went in search of Deer Haven, one of the few places in park with trees, where deer are known to congregrate. We thought we knew where it was so we spent the day moving over and around the strange formations in Badlands. We didn't find Deer Haven, but we topped out on this fantastic plateau and as we did we say a coyote move across behind us. It was a cold hard day, but we had lots of fun

Fantasy Canyon, Utah- August 2004

PART 1

This is one of the greatest adventures I have ever been on, an it all started with coming across this Fatali photograph in his gallery in Springdale Utah, just outside Zion National Park. Mr.Fatali claims no digital tricks or filters in his photography, but having a degree in Astrophysics, the apparent phase of the moon and its position in the sky from the sun had me questioning if this photo was real. Not to mention this is one of the most unique rock formations I have ever seen. When we inquired about the picture and its location we were told that it was a secret known only to the artist and was very hard to get too.... Well that is all it took, the search was on!

Obviously we found it! It is not my place to say whether the Fatali photo is real, but the picture above and below are being illuminated by the setting sun (sun in the west) The moon phase is consistant with a very late waning crescent moon, (moon in the western sky), but with such a small sliver of moon illuminated, the moon would be near "new" and only a few degrees from the sun. It is obviously much further in the photo above.

Whether the photo is truly real or not, it doesn't take away from the stunning beauty of this or any of the other Fatali photographs.

This place turned out to be one of the wierdest areas you could imagine. Everything about this area seemed from another world. From the erie rock formations to the weather

The rocks take on shapes.. that are easily recognized

"snapping turtle" or "moose"

"witch on a broom"

"boxing bear"

The area seemed to welcome us and want to show us all its secret colors in one day

We could not have felt further away from the "real world" and any happier

This adventure was completely planned by Christine's hard work in tracking down this location!

Flaming Gorge, Utah- August 2004

Part 2 of our grand week took us to Flaming Gorge on the border of Utah/Wyoming. This was a fabulous canyon with great scenery. More of an RV/boat based park, but with some good trails and a very relaxing time.




The most beautiful sunrise I have ever scene, right out my tent window








A surprise find, a restored fire tower with a couple "caretakers". The view from the top was just stunning, with beautiful weather

Dinasour National Monument, Colorado- August 2004

Part 3
We decided to pick up another state and head across the border into Colorado and see Dinasour National Monument.

We camped in a very secluded spot near a great river

It rained on us for awhile, but Christine made a BIG fire and we had a great time

Even the rain could not keep the spectacular scenery down.

A perfect rainbow

We were wet but very happy... and ready for part 4......