This week’s Foto Friday Fun includes 10 images chosen by readers picking a number out of my photo archives. And because of so many duplicate numbers in my files I’ve purposely chosen images from our public lands. Land that is mostly inaccessible to the people of the world thanks to the US government shutdown.
Elaine chose #222 to continue her number theme. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is located in Arizona, immediately south of the Utah state line. This National Monument, 293,689 acres in area, protects the Paria Plateau, Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes, and Paria Canyon. Every time I drive east off the Kaibab Plateau I stop at the overlook that provides this amazing view of the Vermilion Cliffs.
Sherry chose #606, “because I think it’s right in the middle [of last week’s number choices] where clearly I usually am not.” Snake Gulch is part of the Kanab Creek Wilderness managed by the US Forest Service protecting many Native American rock art sites. I only hiked a little of the trail but was very impressed and didn’t see any snakes.
Arija chose #1066 as she dipped into “English history and coming up with the Battle of Hastings.” Many battles occurred over the building of Glen Canyon dam and the creation of Lake Powell National Recreation Area managed by the National Park Service. I was in constant conflict as I boated on the lake thinking of all the archeology sites that had been buried under the waters.
MaryBeth chose #826, “because it is the house number of my beautiful home where I can sit on the deck and see down over the tops of trees all the way to Mt. Rainier.” Unfortunately Mount Rainier National Park is also currently closed. As is Buckskin Gulch, a canyon in southern Utah that is one of the main tributaries of the Paria River, which is itself a minor tributary of the Colorado River managed by BLM. This slot canyon is non-technical so I was able to hike it alone.
Bibi chose #444. A wonderful sunset over the Grand Canyon, which no visitors are seeing.
Diane chose #17, “a change from the [Porsche] model numbers.” No car of any kind would travel this narrow route up Wall Street in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. In fact, I’m not sure how I made it.
Sallie chose #906, “for what time it is at this moment.” I think it’s time that Congress actually do their job and get us budget so the National Parks can reopen and give visitors view like this of the Grand Canyon from the Hermit Road on the South Rim.
Chris chose #2023, “the year I can retire.” Would you like to retire to this type of environment on BLM land, Vulture Mine Road near Wickenburg?
Firefly chose #120. I know he likes to see photos of Grand Canyon and here is a shot from the remote western viewpoint of Toroweap. A place not many visitors get to see, even when the parks are open.
Jo chose #1000. Yes, this is me, Ranger Gaelyn, swearing in a group of Junior Rangers. There are our hope of the future for National Parks.
My choice this week is the closed Bright Angel Point trail view from the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Sure hoping to see these gone soon and visitors back in the park.
Thank you for joining in Foto Friday Fun. I really enjoy digging through my archives and pulling the stories from my memories. To join in the fun for next week leave a number between 1 and 2000 in a comment and maybe see your chosen image next week.
Do you have a favorite from this week?
Look for other photos posted on Geogypsy Facebook page not usually seen here.
Ah, an outstanding group of photos. For some reason my favorite is the Snake Gulch Trail photograph. My number for next week, is 1371. I have no idea why that popped in my head but there it is.
I think you’d enjoy the Snake Gulch trail. Have you down for 1371.
Oh wow, how I love the young rangers being sworn in, Gaelyn. Thanks for that photo on my number. Definitely my favourite although all the Canyon images are stunning! This week’s number has very sad connections: 911. For all Americans, also my dad died on that day in 2000 and this year our good friend, Dick died on 11 September in South Africa of malaria which he’d contracted in Tanzania. We’re still reeling from the shock almost a month later. Thanks for a great post. (((Hugs))) Jo
A sad number indeed. Hope to find a photo that will brighten it up a bit. So sorry about Dick. Have you down for 911.
You are so right. I love the Grand Canyon and its beautiful scenic views and really hope to visit it one day. Its so sad to see all those views and sights on here and to think that even though there are supposed to be thousands of visitors right now, there are non.
For next week I would like to choose 1975. The year I came into this world screaming… or was I a good and quiet baby? Gotta ask my mom.
I truly hope you get to see the canyon sometime. Have you down for 1975.
Love all the pictures but I’d especially like to take that trial and see the rock art. Beautiful when the graffiti jerks don’t get involved. So sad seeing Bright Angel closed. I fear this may be a long one since apparently the Republicans are not getting enough flack for adding irrelevent riders to the funding bill. I also fear that there will be no repurcussions at the ballot box because not enough Americans give a damn and their memories are about 48 hours long.
HA! trial is right……such a trial for the parks and all those who love them. But it’s the TRAIL I’d like to take.
When you come west I’d love to share the Snake Gulch trail with you, amongst others.
Seems it’s the job for us that do remember to remind others come voting time.
No number this week?
Wicken…where?:) LOL!!! If there aren’t any people, I’m in! I could live the gypsy life although I know it has its challenges. But I so love the locations that make home so much more special. I don’t know what to say about the government. It doesn’t look like it’s moving for awhile…..so I guess, it’s all about enjoying the solitude and quiet of the North Rim. One good thing……rest and recuperation, right?:)
You’ll get a more full-time chance to gypsy your way around the world.
Think I should start packing. 🙁 Been busy on days off. But soon roll south to warmer climate.
No number this week?
Love them all and the theme makes me happy because we have these wonderful public lands and at the same time makes me despair because of what is happening with our system. The commenters who are saying both sides should compromise are mixed up though. The Affordable Medical Care act has passed and President Obama has been re-elected. The Tea Party can’t accept either of those things — and will do anything, even destroy the country, rather than accept those facts.
Yes, this shutdown should only be about the budget. No number this week?
Thanks for the sunset….think how many more ‘we’re’ missing because of the closure. Sounds like a zen koan….if the park is closed, are there sunsets if no one is there to see them?
I’ll pick 1111, no reason, just a cool number.
There are still a few of us around to see the sunsets. At least for a while. Have you down for 1111.
Hi Gaelyn,
What a wonderful series of photos! I love seeing all the different shots of our public lands. I am hoping this shutdown will end soon. Enjoy your time off!
Have a happy weekend!
Thanks Eileen. I hope so too.
Wonderful collection this week. I read an article this morning where AZ Governor Jan Brewer offered up state funds to keep GRCA open and the Feds turned her down. What losers our Federal Government is from the top on down, both parties. I’ll remember them all come election time. I am tired of the bickering and lack of getting anything down. Whatever happened to the art of compromise?
Yes Brewer made an offer but on Federal park can’t be open when the rest are closed. I agree Congress is full of losers. Please do remember come election time.
The Defense Department is bringing all their furloughed employees back to work. The Interior Department could bring back the Park Service but that is not politically beneficial for the Administration. The Defense Department furlough was not causing any obvious disruption to the ‘general public’. Neither you, nor anyone else, was encouraging people to write/call their Representatives about opening the Defense Department but closing the Parks ‘brings the most pain’ to the public.
It hurts my heart that so many of these beautiful places have been closed. I really hope our so called leaders get their thumbs out of their behinds and pass a budget soon.
Agreed. But unfortunately I don’t think any decision will come in time to save us at the North Rim. I’m packing.
I’ve been reading that so many states are starting to offer up state employees to keep the parks open. The small communities around the parks are hurting so bad…a time that they should be flourishing off their fall visitors. The feds are not taking the offers up. I wonder if that happened, if they could figure out a way to payroll the rangers that were already there. So confusing.
Just curious what else you have been hearing or if there is any way to make more noise. I have called and emailed who I can – but of course with no response. Several of the phone messages from Congress state that they cannot take calls because they are operating on furlough. HA!
I am really mad that they are taking this out on parks people… Maybe they should get rid of the mortgage tax break so people don’t buy houses they can’t afford. Just don’t punish the parks. It stuns me that more of America doesn’t seem to care.
Thank you for letting your representatives know how you feel. That’s about all any of us can do.
A splendid selection from your photo stash as ever. If you make me choose a favourite, I’ll take that smooth boulder sitting in the mud. It may not be as spectacular as some of the others but it sings to me with a clear, loud voice.
For another pick, hmmm, I think I would like 1944, the year we fled our homeland with the advancing Russian front in sight, not a pleasant time but a huge turning point in our lives.
I too really like the rock in mud. Especially knowing it fell a ways to plop there. Have you down for 1944.
You do work in the most astounding place Gaelyn!! Stunning pics!!
Beautiful images of our public lands! The saddest of course is that last one with the crime scene tape. I can think of it no other way, with the American people being held hostage by our own government. I’ll choose 333 this week.
It is sad indeed. Have you down for 333.
Bryce Canyon is beautiful and the rock formation is stunning. Next week’s number, 1943 the year I was born! Wow those years go by so quickly!! Keep well, Diane
All these SW National Parks have their own beauty. Have you down for 1943.