This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by 11 readers from my photo files including forest, desert, lake and canyon.
The Guy Who Flies chose #2037. After Bill and I met last May our first “date” he took me hiking at White Pocket on the Paria Plateau Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. I was thrilled seeing a place I never figured to get to because it usually requires 4×4 to get there. Great way to impress this gal.
George and Suzie chose #2005. While hiking along the sandstone cliffs on the Echo Ravine trail in Golden Gate Highlands National Park Joan and I saw this waterfall in the distance. Later we hiked to the falls and the pool below looked inviting had it been a little warmer. Summer at high altitude in South Africa was a little chilly in February 2013.
Mary Lou chose #0798. Carry your camera everywhere, is my basic motto. During summer my dear friend Berta surrounds her house with unique containers filled with flowers and plants, plus visitors like this Chinese Mantis.
Jodee chose #0148. Several times while in Pilanesberg Game Reserve Joan and saw the balloons taking off in the early morning. I wanted to do this really bad but not for $400/hr including a glass of champagne (which I wouldn’t drink anyway because the bubbles get me drunk). This one is my favorite this week.
Pam chose #0724, a minor obstacle wedged into this water carved slot canyon along the Wire Pass trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This shot was taken in the fall of 2011 so the trail could be very different today.
Yogi chose #603. I saw this abandoned train trestle along Date Creek County Road 62 out in the middle of nowhere Arizona while on a drive New Year’s Eve 2011. Didn’t see any drunks. 
Sherry chose #3984. How much for that photographer in the window? She’s not on the menu, but breakfast here was fabulous. Don’t even ask me how to pronounce this Afrikaans name. Talbaugh South Africa is a historic town filled with Dutch architecture and made a great meal stop with a quick walk about in March 2013.
Jean chose #1299, not the usual Southwest sandstone. When I returned to Illinois four years ago it was for more than my 40th High School reunion. There was a special place I needed to visit, Starve Rock State Park, where I’d spent good times in my youth rejuvenating from the suburbs. The sandstone of Council overhang in Kaskaskia Canyon was carved by water rushing to the Illinois River over time.
Shane chose #1568, an abandoned barn along the old Illinois River Road from the same visit as above. Somebody’s dream.
Bibi chose #1026, “since that’s the time right now!” One time on Lake Powell was enough. A contrasting landscape where water has buried time. Even though I boated on it I still have issues with Lake Powell. This is Dry Rock Creek Canyon taken September 2011.
Sallie chose #1960, “in honor of my daughter’s birth year in this month!” I felt honored to walk through this magical forest and witness light pierce through the dense canopy. At Tsitsikamma National Park South Africa the forest reaches the sea along the Suspension Bridge trail.
My choice this week from our recent outing at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park with the Moquith & Moccasin Mountains in the distance.
Please join in for next week by leaving a number between 0001 and 9999 in your comment below. Thanks for playing along with Foto Friday Fun and allowing me to share these photographs and memories.
Do you have a favorite this week?
Hi Gaelyn all the images are so beautiful, it’s difficult to choose a favorite. I like the air balloons; we’ve seen them over the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya but didn’t do the flight, FAAR too expensive by far! I love the swimming pool near the Golden Gate campsite – been there many times – and I love the mantis. Your images are so evocative our past visits and make me long to hike and see such places again. Have a great weekend. Jo xx
I’m going to give up picking a favorite. It’s just too hard from so many great photographs of things I would love to see in person. LOL at Bill’s wise choice for a first date. I am going to have to go back and reread how you two met. It’s wonderful!
Hmmm, almost forgot, 9388 for next week please.
All the photos are great. I think the one on Lake Powell is my favorite this week. Thanks for sharing. Please put me down for 0731 for next week.
I think Lake Powell is my favorite too, just cause I miss seeing water,
My number for next week is 1967
Your first photo on the Vermillion Cliffs had me. I went over and read your post. Oh, what very cool formations!! I looked on Google maps to find the location. We are going to be at Lake Powell in the Wahweap Campground. Would getting to this area be closer to this or closer from Kanab? We have a Jeep Wrangler but it is stock without any extras added. Do you think we would be fine with the roads to get there? Sand isn’t a problem or driving on slickrock. I would LOVE to see this area.
Next up #0720
This was a special treat after a very long week! Love my balloons, and glad to spark that great memory – they are such beautiful colors. The old barn is ethereal and really draws me in.
Like ’em all, but especially the first one. That rock looks like a raised fist! Agree with you about Lake Powell.
OK so I forgot to give you a number last week!!!!!! Lovely set of photos once again. 8007 for next week please, Sorry! Hope you are enjoying Death Valley Diane
Isn’t it funny about a place like Lake Powell? It’s there. There’s nothing you can do about it. Might as well enjoy it as is, and yet it’s hard. The Colorado River is probably the ultimate example of how a river can be over-exploited–so much so that it doesn’t even flow to the ocean anymore–and yet the impact of restoring it to its former glory would likely be devastating.
How was Coral Pink Sands? That’s on my list as well, but probably not a place I’ll hit soon.
#9130 for me this week, please.
Oh, I didn’t see your last post. Now I know how Coral Pink Sands was. 🙂 If you’re looking for internet in Death Valley, I always stay at Panamint Springs where the wifi is spotty. It’s usually good enough to post a photo or two on facebook, anyway. Plus, they have a bar that’s open until nine with a nice beer selection. Works for me.
Hi. Starved Rock is still on my list of favorite places. How about #1040.
All the pics are great, but think my favourite is the rock obstacle in the slot canyon – very moody..
You never ever show a picture I don’t love (always for so many reasons), but I couldn’t have “chosen” a better one this week than the magical forest. We would love it and so would Cyndi, the daughter whose BD is coming up (tomorrow actually) and for whom I chose that number. It’s perfect for us all.
I remember your post from before about that first date –and I knew right away that the two of you were a perfect match.
If I am not to late I’ll choose 7021 … it’s part of an address I see on my bulletin board just this very minute. (I am not very creative at all — but when it comes to numbers especially not).
I love “my” photo this week and I’m glad you didn’t find any drunks under it although I suspect you didn’t check very closely.
I’ve always felt a little funny about Lake Powell also. I know that it does all the wonderful things that the Bureau of Reclamation says but the question of course is at what cost.