It was a rougher year than many yet I still found some good and want to share the best of 2018.
I feel blessed to have such a beautiful place to live in Yarnell, Arizona with great boulders of granite shaped over time. Some just down the road, a few next door, and at the base of the mighty Weaver Mountains for my western view. Since 2005 I’ve called Yarnell home and at least used it as a winter base while summering at Grand Canyon. When you get to know a place it becomes easier to find the light at certain times of day. And now over a full year I know this place even better.
I did travel south a ways in January/February meeting up with friends in Quartzsite. And then a little further south to watch the partial lunar eclipse from the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. I plan to do that again next month.
I took off a few days in March to visit friends in Casa Grande with a back-road stop at Gillespie Dam along the way.
April I kept close to home to care for my dear friend Berta.
I found out in May I wouldn’t be returning to work at Grand Canyon for the summer. And that was not the best, yet was the most viewed post of 2018. I had the first opportunity to see saguaros bloom in the lower desert spring. I said goodbye and sent Berta to her daughter’s in Oregon.
I hunkered in during June trying to save money and avoid the heat.
My mid-July I hankered to be on the road and return to visit my beloved Grand Canyon especially during monsoon. While there, Berta passed away. The worst thing to happen in 2018.
Plus I visited Bryce Canyon National Park because I was so near and hadn’t been since the documentary filming in 2016, which I can now share with you at this link vimeo.com/282186298, password is geogypsy.
I also enjoyed amazing skies during monsoon back home during August and made a day trip to Watson Lake in Prescott.
September brought a surprise to Yarnell when the local Desert Broom bushes were covered with Queen butterflies.
By October I was jonesing for the golden fall colors of an Aspen grove so took a day drive to Flagstaff’s surrounding forest and was treated with a contrast of snow.
In November I took a friend to his childhood town of Winslow, Arizona and stood on the famous corner.
December I’ve stayed home. Gray skies covered the cold full moon rise of Solstice but I caught it the next morning going down. Hand-held as I didn’t carry the tripod. Maybe next time, a new photography challenge to meet.
So that wraps up the best of 2018. I really hope to travel more in 2019. But right now, I have few plans at all, just lots of dreams.
You have a gifted eye for composition. Enjoy your photos, immensely, Gaelyn.
Thank you for the nice compliment.
You have had a tough year Gaelyn. I hope 2019 will bring all your dreams true . . So good luck, good health and happiness.for the New Year.
Thank you Rita. May the New Year bring you good things.
Love your pictures for 2018 especially the blooming saguaro.
Wishing you as well good luck and health in the new year.
Thank you George. All the best for 2019.
So enjoy your blog! Thank you for every post during a difficult year. Appreciate you.
Thank you. I can’t stop myself from writing. Happy New Year!
Beautiful photos and some great memories for you and for us following.
Love the video, but will watch it again when there is not so much activity around me!! Is that Sasha joining you on the walk. You may have mentiond this but I missed a lot of what you said first time around.
We hope 2019 will be the best year ever.
Take care Diane and Nigel.
Thanks. Yes, that’s Sasha. There are a few dark areas in the video but Gabe said it was brighter on the “big screen”.
Good to hear your 2018 highlites, and trust in 2019 you’ll find the travel and adventure the gypsy in you seeks. Enjoyed viewing your documentary, very well done!
Thanks. Sure was fun working with the young folks on that documentary. Then seeing the results was over the top.
Wishing for you a wonderful 2019. It was good reading your summary of your year, knowing how difficult it was. Hopefully the rule for no one getting 2 really bad years in a row will hold up for you.
Thank you. I’m really working on 2019 being a better year than this one.
The blooming saguaro is MY favorite! You’ve had a poignant year. I hope for you that things work out better for you in this coming year.
Thanks. Was such a thrill to see the saguaros bloom. 2019 WILL be better.
These are amazing pictures Gaelyn. I love every one of the rocks pictures, they are just fantastic.What a neighborhood you have. Great eclipse pictures, as are the beautiful suguaro blooms. I really hope 2019 is as wonderful a year for you as 2018 was sad. It’s been a pretty bad year for me too. Glad to see it end.
Thank you. We need to hold constant thought about how wonderful 2019 will be.
Dear Gaelyn, Your postings are great. I love anything posted about the Grand Canyon and your photos are fabulous. Thanks for your efforts. Always, Marty Krueger, Bobby McKee’s (the little boy on Brighty’s back in the Sunroom Brighty display) daughter
Thank you Martha. I always appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment. Hope you are well.
You put together a really nice selection of photos. I like them all. Hope that 2019 is a better year for you!
Thanks. Me too.
I just watched the video, Gaelyn, thanks so much for sharing. I remember when they were filming and I’ve been waiting to watch the final results. Well done! I love, love, love that you’ve defined your own path, following your heart. I’ve always believed that life is what happens to us while we’re busy making other plans. When you least expect it, the next path will unfold and you’ll be ready. Until then, keep taking those gorgeous photos.
Thank you so much for the lovely comment and support. I sometimes need reminding to follow my heart.
I enjoy reading and looking at all your photos, also. Your journey is an inspiration for me. Thank you and Happy New Year!
Thank you. Nice to know I can inspire others. Happy New Year!
An outstanding collection of photos. I really like the diversity of locations and shots. A challenging year for sure, but a successful year from a photography point of view! Happy New Year!!
Thanks Peter. I did get a few places. Happy New Year!