I made quick visits to the North Rim and Kanab so I could move on to Bryce National Park for full moon. I definitely had mixed feelings about returning to the park after all the BS this winter. Yet, the canyon will always hold a fascination for me.
Left Marble View early, for me, in the morning and enjoyed the slow drive through the forest. Knowing the Ranger working the entrance station made it emotionally easier to enter the park. Didn’t even have to show my Senior Pass. Went to the visitor center and chatted with several people I know. Then at the Lodge for more visiting. And stopped by the administration building to fill water bottles and found more familiar faces.
Drove out to the end of the scenic road to Cape Royal where I planned to photograph sunset.
A storm was brewing on the South Rim and as soon as the sun set another show began.
Both colors and lightning kept me shooting.
And shooting…
…and shooting. I was SO excited!!!! First time I’ve successfully captured lightning. The above shot is available for print. 
Back by the campground I was able to dump tanks and take a shower. Nice facilities, clean, and six minutes of hot water for $1.50 in quarters. Believe it or not the first time I’d ever been in the place. Then engaged in a little more visiting before heading out of the park. I’d planned to camp on the forest somewhere near Jacob Lake but when I got there it was pouring and I had second thoughts about muddy forest roads. So I stayed on level pavement near Jacob Lake Inn for the night.
In the morning I dropped off the Kaibab Plateau headed north to Kanab for a lunch date with a friend and a driveway to park in for the night.
Plus I bought Sierra a harness and leash in town. She tolerated me put on the harness without scratching or hissing. Then we stepped outside. I sort of let her lead me but also stopped her from going any place I didn’t want her. We never got more than 10 feet from the camper but that’s OK, its a start. Considering we’ll be in a campground at our next stop she might not get out again for a little while.
OMG !!! What wonderful photo’s Gaelyn and all my favourites. The Grand Canyon and those photo’s of the storms and lightening are breath taking. I would be in my element there except for the lightening, not too keen on that. Enjoy the rest of your journey ,it looks exciting.
Thanks Rita. Monsoon at the canyon never disappoints. But you do have to be careful of the lightning.
Those are just the most amazing photos and catching more than one lightening shot is just incredible, I have tried so many times with no success except in a video which only produces a small photo! Well done really fabulous photography. Diane and Nigel xx
Thanks. I was over the top excited about capturing the lightning multiple times. I’ve caught with video before also but as you say that produces tiny still images.
It’s great that your going back there went so well. Reclaiming familiar turf after being anxious about it can be a real confidence booster. What a great shot of the lightening! Sierra’s first time with a harness and leash was more successful than most I had with pets. You’re doing a terrific job of teaching her how to travel well.
Thanks Mary, it really did help to return. I am amazed at Sierra’s learning abilities.
Oh, my, goodness!! I can comment!! Wahoo! Gaelyn, your photos are spectacular. The lightning strikes you captured are so cool.
As for the Friday Photo post…give me #3007 this week:)
Yea!!! I wish that problem would go away. Put you down for #3007 for this week.
Sure looks like the Canyon misses you, what a show it put on for you! Amazing capture of the lightening strikes.
Thanks Jeff. I was SO excited to capture the lightning.
Wonderful pictures but especially the ones of the approaching storm and with lightning to boot.
I get the feeling that you miss the North Rim but that there are many park and concessionaire personnel who also miss you. When viewing photos of the highway, I got a sensation as if I was there. I knew almost to the bump in the road where the pictures were taken. Lot of memories were brought back by your photos. Thanks, Gaelyn!
Thanks George. Capturing the lightning was a thrill, yet still nothing like that shot you got. It was hard to drive through the entrance, even though Jeremy was there, but once I started talking to folks I felt much better. Almost like we could drive those roads with our eyes closed, but wouldn’t want to miss a thing.
Fantastic lightning shots!
You are lucky that Sierra is so willing to wear the harness, although none of our cats ever really “walked” when we took them out on leashes. We just followed them along and never got very far from home. Looks like she will end up being a good travel companion.
Thanks, catching the lighting was truly a thrill. Wearing the harness doesn’t seem to bother her too much but she’s not keen on the leash. Today she walked me nearly 20 feet from the camper. 😉 But she wasn’t happy. I’ll keep trying. There’s always Best Friends.
Absolutely stunning pictures, but it must have been very hard on you to go in as a visitor (but obviously friends knew you well, so not just any old visitor!) I’m so glad you were able to visit again though and thank you for sharing. Safe travels! And hope kitty adjusts to her beautiful accessory!
Thanks Sallie. It wasn’t easy but sure glad I went. Sierra took me for a walk in camp today, no more than 20 feet from the truck.
With positive thoughts, perhaps your visit as a Visitor will open doors for next season!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful monsoon photos. 🙂
Next season requires applying and competing with 100s, just like any other park I apply to. Thank you, and glad you like the monsoon shots.
Yippee! Looks like it’s going to let me leave a comment. Absolutely stunning photos!! Awesome job capturing the lightning strikes. Some of your best work!
Thanks Peter. Sometimes the comment thing works. Was a thrill to catch the lightning.
Beautiful photos again. I understand how difficult it must be to return to the North Rim…but well worth it for the photos. I need to practive my lightning shots. We’ve been having some major thunderstorms….
Thanks Pat. It was tough at first but got easier. Going to try to return the end of August. Just set up on your tripod and keep on pushing that shutter button. 😉
I was feeling bittersweet about your visit to the Canyon. I’m glad you got to visit a lot of people and the photos you took are incredible.
So was I, but once I got to talking to friends it wasn’t too bad. Thanks. I am thrilled with the lightning shots.
What an incredible sunset! You have a great eye for composition and color. I’m still blown away by those incredible lightning pictures.
Thank you. I was thrilled to get those lightning photos.
I have really missed your photographs of the canyon so I’m really glad you posted so many and those lightning shots well just WOW WOW! It’s like the canyon was really welcoming you back though I can imagine that you had mixed feelings given what happened. Hope you were able to find out more about what really was going on. I take it you are adopting Sierra? If so, what a wonderful thing to do. Love her leash and harness. Hope she’ll grow to love it too.
Thanks. I was SO thrilled to get the lightning shots. I love monsoon! It was hard to be on the North Rim at first yet wonderful to talk to so many friends. And the boss wasn’t there so I didn’t have to bite my tongue. Seems Sierra and I are an item now.
You must be so excited to grab those photos.
Isn’t it amazing how a place h olds much emotion.
Was a total thrill to finally capture lightning in more than video. I have different feelings for different places. But Grand Canyon will hold my heart forever.