Zion Gold & Red

"Zion Gold & Red" ©2009 K.C.C.

Fall is finally upon us here in the desert southwest. The weather is fantastic! Zion National Park is such a close road trip out of Las Vegas, 3 hours max, that it is easy to run up in the morning and return the same evening. Since the Zion valley floor is so narrow, direct sun time is somewhat limited. Which is either a photographic blessing or curse depending on what you want to capture. So plan your photographic timing around the light times. Both 'sunrise' and 'sunset' are vastly different than on a flatter plane.

Above trees standing along the river are back-lit showing off their greens and golds. Most of the reds are already gone at both the upper and lower levels of the valley. Nevertheless, all the gold and yellow is stunning against the red sandstone walls and cliffs.

The weather is perfect for anything...camping, hiking, and picnicking. I hiked up to the beginning of "The Narrows" but didn't pass the water entry line. Didn't have on waterproof day-wear or more importantly, a dry sack for the camera gear. (Wet cameras would make it an expensive trip.) The 'hike' took about 2 hours up because I had to keep stopping to photographic something. So much Autumn splendour to enjoy and photograph. Your 'enjoyment' time will vary ;-).

Lots of people were out and it was fun interacting with them. Everyone seems to always want to know, "WHAT are you taking a photo of?" Or they'll comment as they walk by, "That sure is the shot of the day." Then when they see me somewhere else NOT taking a picture, they'll want to know how my photos came out. Tourists and photo pros alike all want to exchange emails to share what they have seen and captured.

I've noticed carrying a camera larger than a sandwich is kind of like walking with Luna. One is always noticed and 50% of the time some interaction takes place. People are funny, as if seeing a camera or a dog out of the house is some new experience. We're a weird species we are.

Simply Recipes' "Spicy Vegetarian Chili"

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”

--Edward Abbey

Capital Reef Sunrise

Wow. It's been years since I've been thru Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef National Parks. Still incredibly beautiful places. And I now have a new super duper camera.

Of course, that requires new software that I don't yet have to work with the images in a way that I want to. So for now, Picasa is still my best choice to get the photos to the blog. Here you go for now.

Luna and I


Sunrise at Capital Reef, Utah


Drove thru Zion, spent a day at Bryce and half a day at Capital Reef. All three were breathtaking. Just go.

"There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy, and its charm."

--Theodore Roosevelt

TSA Has Your Junk Out Front

Airport security bares all, or does it? - CNN.com

I hate airports anymore. A few weeks ago I flew up to Washington state to visit Charlotte and Lobo. I didn't have to go through one of these scanners which I'm really glad about. First off, it's a HUGE invasion of privacy. HELLO 1984!!!!!!!! And it's not that I think anything under my clothes is something that hasn't been seen before...as it were. I just think this is a joke. I get on planes with pencils, pens, and knitting needles. All lethal weapons if you know how to use them. So are socks and tennis balls. This is just smoke and mirrors to make the American traveling public FEEL like our government is protecting them to the tune of big bucks.

When are we all going to have to wear 'traveling jumpsuits' issued by the government and donned at the airport? 2015 betcha.

Charlie Rose - A discussion about Swine Flu

Excellent 6-minute video on what we may be facing if the Swine Flue goes pandemic. It is also interesting that these experts estimated that the number of people in Mexico infected is in the thousands....or hundreds of thousands already.

More from the Desert Botanical Gardens & Chihuly

I always love visiting the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ. During the April, the deserts of AZ are in bloom and that includes so many things at the gardens. Chihuly's glass interpretations of a desert's splendour were just icing on the cake.

And while Chihuly's exhibits are incredible, still, my most favorite thing in the DBG is the 'Elephant Tree' also known as Bursera microphylla. I've been fortunate enough to even see them in the wild. I love these old wisdom trees. I even finally purchased one at right there at the DBG last year. Lovely!


I was amazed that this hanging piece didn't move in the 30 mph winds that were whipping about as we passed thru the gardens.




Wow. This one is huge! Stunning. This one might be my favorite.


Or maybe this one is my favorite.




I also love this one.


And again...fabulous.










A few even light up!


The whole garden, with or without Chihuly, is grand. Chihuly's exhibit goes on thru May 31, 2009. The DBG is open year round. They are even open late in the evening and have jazz on Friday nights. How fun!!! Some year, I'm going to get there for the holiday luminaries display. How cool must that be?

Today, my Nevada desert is cold. It's not even in the 50's yet. Our high yesterday was 58*. Next week, we'll be in the 90*'s. :::sigh::: The heat is almost here. All hot or all cold. :::sigh:::

Simply Recipes' "Potato and Leek Soup"

A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life

when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.

--D. Elton Trueblood

More Desert Glass

More from the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, AZ.

More Chihuly At DBG

Flames of glass


A rose among thorns -- Helen


The Cactus Gardens


Pink Madonnas among the cactus

The Desert Goes Glass

Friday morning was spent in the desert north of Phoenix hunting 'Desert Lavender' (Hyptis emoryi). The day was clear even while being buffeted by our forever blowing desert Spring winds.



Not a drop of rain in sight.


But some unusual glass showed up!


Chihuly is on exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona.


Wow. Very interesting juxposition. I really thought it was neat. And the DBG has reworked many of the natural exhibits making the desert even MORE breathtaking! I loved it. I'll show more pictures over the coming week.

The Chihuly Exhibit runs through May 31st, 2009. Go if you can!

The desert is a natural extension of the inner silence of the body. If humanity’s language, technology, and buildings are an extension of its constructive faculties, the desert alone is an extension of its capacity for absence, the ideal schema of humanity’s disappearance.
--Jean Baudrillard

PyramidCam Live!

The Pyramids at Giza - PyramidCam Live!

How fun is this?

Sedona

Coffee Pot Sunset


Sunset


Sunrise


Away Morning


Coffee Pot Sunrise


Lunch


Patio View


"I can drive the shit out of this car you know," says Luna.


The universe is full of magical things,patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.
‑Eden Phillpotts

A Snohomish Christmas

Winter's Early Dress in the San Luis Valley

Morning snow on a range in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains


Late morning sun on the gold of the Aspens


Afternoon Sun on Trees


Artemisia tridentata Against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains


Cottonwoods at Sunset


Creek and Gate at Sunset


The West View


The East View at Sunset


A never ending light and color show of beauty.

And the ride out of the mountains...

Snow on Mt. Blanca across the San Luis Valley Commonwealth




Low clouds across Taos Mountain


Taos Mountain & Taos Pueblo


And so, back home again. Safe. Thank you Goddess.