This week’s Foto Friday Fun features 10 images chosen by readers from my photo files including rocky buttes, caves, boulders, and mountains, plus me using an unusual form of transportation.
Diane and Nigel chose #4447, one of five photos in a panorama. They got to see this amazing view of Wotan’s Throne from Cape Royal overlook, North Rim Grand Canyon during their summer visit last year. This stormy shot was taken the year before. Have you heard me say, I love monsoon?
Jim and Diana
chose #5674. Although this photo of a beach cave doesn’t show it, there were so many awesome fossils to be seen at the Mzamba fossil site along the Wild Coast in South Africa including trees, shells, and the biggest ammonite I’ve ever seen.
Donna chose #397, a 2008 shot of my dog Carson hanging out by the old 5th-wheel parked in Yarnell, Arizona. Although this is a happy memory the photo brought tears to my eyes because Carson is gone seven years and the scene looks very different since the Yarnell fire.
Mary Lou chose #1748. An unexpected sighting just before leaving Kruger National Park during my second visit in 2013. Stopped to watch this lioness for a bit and eventually she disappeared into the boulders where there might have been a den with cubs.
Pam and John chose #1067. The high chaparral around Peeples Valley, Arizona is still cowboy country. Yet unlike the “old” west cowboys now carry cell phones. Think John Wayne would have been confused?
Sherry and David chose #2017. They love to spend time at the ocean often swimming if the weather allows. I’d rather just watch and listen to the crashing waves which I did for hours at Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa. And here a soft sunset from 3-4-13.
Patti chose #110. Meet Dagwood, one of the Grand Canyon Trail Ride mules. During my first season as a Ranger at the North Rim I was eager to learn and experience as much as possible. So in the fall of 2008 I rode Dagwood five miles down to Roaring Springs, and then five miles back up the North Kaibab trail. Having already hiked this, and more, I learned that no matter how you go down and up at Grand Canyon, something is going to hurt. Just a different something.
Rosemary chose #1950. I’ve hiked in mountains before, but nothing like the Drakensburg in South Africa. This was my morning view after one day of backpacking, even getting drenched along the way, my heart was captured and I long to return.
Yogi let random dot org choose #376. A plant he might remember from his childhood in the Southwest. Sure am looking forward to seeing these iconic saguaro maybe as soon as next week. A special Thank You to Yogi for making the first purchase at the new GLOlmsted Photography. Enjoy your coffee mug with monsoon clouds at Grand Canyon on it. 
Sallie asked for “the oldest photo you have with the number 9999.” It’s a limited, but gorgeous, choice of sunrise (rare for me to see) while on safari in the Pilanesburg Game Reserve South Africa from 4-1-14. So not so old.
Many evenings I go out for sunset and shoot looking down the RR tracks. That is if it isn’t too cold. Sometimes I don’t get far and return to the RV quickly. Imagine my surprise when I opened the door to be greeted by this reflection of sunset on my fridge door. And that’s my choice for the week although my favorite is those Drankensburg Mountains.
Please join in next week by leaving a number between 1 and 9999 in your comment below. Thank you for playing along with Foto Friday Fun which allows me to share these photographs and memories.
Do you have a favorite this week?
Enjoyed all of your wonderful photos this week. My favorite is the Drankensburg Mountains. Please put me down for 1138 for next week. Mary Lou
Thanks Mary Lou. Aren’t those mountains spectacular? Have you down for #1138.
Oh Gaelyn, we’ve taken the mule trip twice. Not overnight, just the day ride. I remember being absolutely terrified with the mule walking so close to the edge of the trail. The 2nd time I felt like an old pro. Both times, I thought my knees would never regain their ability to walk and my backside ached like hell, but both times it was beyond fantastic! The first time Abi and I were alone, before the birth of our son, the 2nd time we took our son when he was about 12 and he loved every minute. It is truly one of our best travel memories. Incredible!
My leaps of 10 seem to be working so let’s continue with #120
I too felt crippled after 5 1/2 hours in the saddle but wasn’t bothered by the edges. Our gal at the mule desk says, “Mules are not suicidal.” 😉 I’d rather hike it. Have you down for #120.
Wow! Love the Drakensburg Mountain photo! Absolutely gorgeous:) When I get on the computer, I will be checking out the coffee mugs! Love the one you shared:)
You would both love these mountains to hike in, barely any trees John. No number this week?
Totally forgot my number! #1137
The cave and the lioness. Thank you for sharing. The Saguaro. 22
I never tire of seeing lions. Or elephants, or… And look forward to seeing some saguaro. Have you down for #22.
That was amazing for you to capture the reflection on the frig door. As always the Friday fotos were amazing. You have such an amazing collection of subjects.
I think I would love to see 5353 as its hubbys birth date.
Hope you stay warm.
Rosemary
Thank you Rosemary. I take photos of everything. Sure was a cool surprise and now I’m looking for it every night. Have you down for #5353. Soon, the warmth of the desert.
A sunrise for you! Love it and the picture. But you are right, as much as I really do love my ocean shot those mountains of Drakensburg are fantastic. Love the first two of Wotan’s as well but then I love every one of your Grand Canyon shots. Great seeing you on the mule and that regal lioness. Congrats to Yogi, love the cup. Can I put it in the microwave? So glad I can have something that doesn’t have to be hung on wall space I don’t have. You have an amazing number of other choices though I didn’t see the cup when I was there. I’ll have to go back as soon as I am at an address long enough that I’m sure I can receive it.
Most frequently I see sunrises in South Africa. Thanks. I so appreciate your comments. I’ve asked if the mugs are microwaveable. I would just assume they are in this day and age. Plus there’s always greeting cards. 😉
Microwave and dishwasher safe.
Thanks Gaekyn, forgot my number. 7689 please.
Got you down for #7689.
4448 for next week please. Love our choice for this Friday, those monsoons are just amazing to watch. The Drakensburg has many happy holiday memories for me including one time getting lost but we made it back in daylight!!! Have a great weekend Diane
PS. I love those mugs they are great.
I wouldn’t mind getting lost in the Drakensburg for a while. It’s so gorgeous! Have you down for #4448.
I can see why those mountains captured your heart! I do love a sunrise, so ‘mine’ was special too — I don’t see as many of them as I used to — maybe I’m sleeping better (or going to bed later)…..
Off to catch up on posts I’ve missed this week — sounds like exciting things going on here…..
What about #121… next Friday’s date. How can January be almost over already?
When I’m not working I stay up much later so miss the sunrise. But what the hey, sunsets are good too. Have you down for #121.
My favorite is the Drankensburg Mountains too. I also would have loved to meet Carson – sounds like he was one cool dog.
Next week: #407
He was one of my best dogs and haven’t replaced him, yet. Have you down for #407.
Wonderful shots all. My cowboy relatives tell me that horses are a pain. They would much rather do their cowboying on a four wheeler.
I got an email that my mug has shipped. It will go good at the office with the new coffee maker my MIL got me for Christmas.
Thank you Yogi. Horses act real different than mules in my limited experience. Please let me know if you like the mug and thank you again for being my first, and so far only, customer. Have you down for #623.
Oops,lets do a 9’s complement of last weeks number. 623.