Menu

Foto Friday Fun 324–every picture tells a story

This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by nine readers including mostly Autumn travels in the Southwest.

Fall colors along meadows SR67 North Kaibab National Forest ArizonaGilda chose #1981, “the year I made my escape to go and live in the big city.”  Being a country gal, I can only imagine escaping the big city.  I’d run to the wide open meadows surrounded by forest and be glad to catch a patch of golden aspen like this seen in September 2011 on the Kaibab National Forest, Arizona.

Thistle by Cliff Spring Walhalla Plateau North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaDiane and Nigel chose #1406.  They do love flowers but probably don’t want to see thistle in their garden.  In September 2009 this huge thistle had plenty of water from Cliff Spring on the North Rim Grand Canyon.  A trail I don’t think we walked when they visited.

vintage cars Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJim and Diana chose #5294, “the current mileage on the new Ford…which is pulling the fifth wheel like a champ.”  I think these might both be Chevrolets and certainly won’t pull a fifth wheel.  I frequently saw classic cars at Grand Canyon National Park, these in September 2016.

Historic Grafton UtahJeff chose #8314, “the elevation of Monitor Pass.”  The Zion peaks in the distance could be near that height, however the abandoned historic town of Grafton where this restored building is only just over 3600 feet in elevation.  Taken August 2015.

Up stream Colorado River from Navajo Bridge Marble Canyon ArizonaYogi chose #8546.  The Colorado River upstream from Navajo Bridge September 2014 and those  small dots on the water in the center is four rafts.  They be heading downstream for a multiple day adventure.

Native art inside Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaRita chose #8788.  Looking up in the Desert View Watchtower on the South Rim Grand Canyon during my 2015 March birthday visit.

Green River Desert UtahLisa chose #4180, “the amount of water flowing through the Arkansas River near Salida, CO, about twice the normal flows!”  The Green River in Utah averages 6121 cubic feet per second, although not seen it is in this photo taken the last day of a too-short vacation  October 1, 2015 driving across the Green River Desert.

historic arrow looking up at the 110 exit from the Dry Room Oregon Caves National Monument OregonJennifer chose #114.  Being she’s part of a family who likes rocks this shot taken when I worked at Oregon Caves during September 2007 might appeal to her.  The black arrow is historic and points to an exit partway through the cave tour.

Fall aspen FR222 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaJodee and Bill chose #8411.  The lovely contrast of fall aspen and evergreens on the Kaibab National Forest during September 2007.

first light hoodoos amphitheater Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahMy choice is another shot of the hoodoos from the last snowfall at Bryce Canyon.  Prediction for possible snow here on Saturday.  Happy first day of Summer!

Thank you for playing along with Foto Friday Fun which allows me to share these photographs and memories.  Please join in next week by leaving a number between 1 and 9999 in your comment below.

Do you have a favorite this week?

Foto Friday Fun 31 Comments

Last snowfall at Bryce Point sunrise and possibly greeting Spring

Sierra sleeping living room window snow view Bryce Canyon National Park UtahHappy Memorial Day, and the last measurable snowfall at Bryce Canyon, finally.  Also my first of two days off so I wasn’t keen on getting up early enough for sunrise and instead woke up to a blanket of white with a slate gray sky.  I did however enjoy watching it snow all day while working on Ranger programs and blog posts.  Made me, and Sierra, jump when big clumps of snow fell off the heavily laden tree boughs onto the RV roof with an unexpected thud.

snow trees first light hoodoos Aquarius Plateau clouds Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

snow first light hoodoos amphitheater clouds Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahYet I figured if I wanted to photograph snow on the hoodoos to get out the next morning before it melted away.  So I shot for, and almost made sunrise.

There are overlooks on the eastern rim above the amphitheater full of hoodoos.  In fact Sunrise Point and Sunset Point are a half mile apart, and both facing east.  For sunset, one of the poorest named overlooks I’ve experienced with the Park Service.

trail snow trees amphitheater sunrise clouds Bryce Point overlook Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

trees snow cliffs valley mountains sun clouds Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahFor a couple weeks I’d been telling visitors Bryce Point would be the best sunrise overlook, even though I hadn’t tried it myself.  But just looking at a map told me the view would be east into the sun but also north and west over the hoodoos and towards the amphitheater walls.  I was not disappointed.

snow trees view sunrise clouds Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWith clouds hanging low on the horizon I got a second chance at sunrise over the Aquarius Plateau.

snow tree first light hoodoos amphitheater clouds Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahHaving bundled up appropriately for this sojourn I stayed for the golden hours.  And may have discovered a view to the west for sunset, someday in the future I’ll check that out.

trees snow cliffs valley mountains sun clouds Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahLater I went to town, Bryce Canyon City is located about 1 1/2 miles away from the park.  I got a reliable signal while doing laundry at Ruby’s.  Just about everything in Bryce Canyon City is Ruby’s something: campground complete with Teepee glamping, hotels, restaurants, fuel, groceries, tourist traps, music, and rodeo.  Maybe more.  Plus convenient shuttle parking to enter Bryce Canyon National Park.

first light hoodoos Wall of Windows amphitheater clouds Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

first light hoodoos amphitheater Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI entered the above two shots in the bi-annual employee photo contest at the park.  Employees vote, no results yet.

first light hoodoos amphitheater clouds Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park Utah

first light hoodoos amphitheater Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBack to work and presenting hoodoo geology two days in a row helped lock in the 20 minutes of how hoodoos were formed.  Bizarre rocks, enchanting spell, or both.

Then after lunch, an hour long cultural history walk with stops along the rim, forest, and historic lodge.  People’s relationships with the land has changed significantly since the nomadic First People to today’s selfies.

sign Do not feed wildlife Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI’ve also worked up an evening program and slide presentation about finding wildlife in Bryce by learning their habits and habitat, which I have since presented twice in the lodge auditorium.

pink flowers Manzanita snow Bryce Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI may try to post the programs at some point.

crescent moon through telescope Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAnd I’ve operated a Celestron 11 telescope twice now, both times focusing on Alcor and Mizar, the double star in the handle of the Big Dipper.  College astronomy interns helped me set up as I can’t move or lift the scope into place.  One intern focused on the crescent moon which filled the field of vision through the scope.  She also helped me take the phone shot above as it’s difficult to hold the phone flat and level against the eyepiece while also taking the pic.  We’ve recently been looking at Jupiter and 4 moons.

Astro-Fest-Poster-Bryce Canyon National Park UtahThe Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival happens in and out of the park June 26 – 29, 2019 with Bryce Canyon’s Astronomy Rangers and local Astronomical Societies.  Attendees will enjoy a variety of astronomy-themed activities and programs offered both day and night.  Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Amber Straughn, Associate Director of Astrophysics Science at NASA.

red rock cliffs SR89 South Kanab Utah

Sevier River Paunsaugunt Plateau clouds SR89 North UtahI spent my three-day weekend taking care of business in St. George and visiting with Bill in Kanab.  Not my favorite way to spend days off except for the visiting.  I did get my shopping done, eyes examined and glasses ordered.

yellow flowers trees amphitheater hoodoos Tropic Trail Tropic UtahPlus I’ve been exploring below the Plateau where Spring is turning into Summer.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah , , 27 Comments

Foto Friday Fun 323

This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by 10 readers including several panoramas, hiking trails, and a 16-year old me.

vacation Gaelyn in Grandparents' Loomis back yard Sacramento California summer 1971Gilda chose #25, “my daughter’s age.”  My age in this shot was 16, all grown up and no where to go.  Visiting my mother’s parents in Sacramento, California.  I was a bored teenager.

trees hoodoos Red Canyon SR12 Dixie National Forest UtahPat chose #1977, “the year I moved to what was then Yugoslavia.”  Taken in 2015, not the first year I visited Red Canyon on the way to Bryce Canyon National Park.

purple blue Lupine flowers Kaibab National Forest ArizonaDiane and Nigel chose #706.  Being flower lovers they ought to like this Lupine seen on the Kaibab National Forest in September 2011.

Rock face above camp Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South AfricaJim and Diana chose #1975, “the year of my friend’s dad’s AMC Pacer.”  Those cars really were like fishbowls.  This a different kind of “bowl” below the Drakensberg where I camped after hiking in March 2010.

Valley view from Swartberg Pass South Africa

Valley view from Swartberg Pass South AfricaYogi, and Random dot org, chose #2695, one of seven in a panorama.  A wide valley view from Swartberg Pass, driven in March, 2013 in South Africa.

Toadstools against the sky Toadstool trail Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument UtahGayle requested to see more photos of the toadstools in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah.  This from my 2009 hike there.

Fly over North Kaibab National Forest ArizonaJo chose #1506, “the rate of the dollar against ZA Rand!”  I only got 11R to $1USD when I visited South Africa the last time in 2014.  Must be time to return.  Maybe if I could afford the flight.  Unlike this free flying view over the Kaibab National Forest with the Park Service after I rafted the Colorado River in 2011.

State Route 89A Kaibab National Forest ArizonaRita chose #1027.  A panorama shot taken from the House Rock Valley overlook along SR89A on the Kaibab National Forest in April 2009.

John Drakensberg hike KwaZulu-Natal South AfricaJeff chose #1999, “the year BLM started charging $6/3 to camp at Fossil Falls.”  I camped for free not far from their campground.  Also camped for free in the Drakensberg Mountains on my hike with Jo’s son John.

Bright Angel trail Grand Canyon National Park pano 5-5-08Jennifer chose #204.  The view looking down on the Bright Angel trail, south side of Grand Canyon, during my first rim to rim hike 5-5-08.

green meadow bike trail snow on Wilson Peak clouds SR12 West UtahMy choice, taken 5-21-19, of the bike trail, which runs from Bryce Canyon to Red Canyon, paralleling SR12 west and Wilson Peak in the distance.

Thank you for playing along with Foto Friday Fun which allows me to share these photographs and memories.  Please join in next week by leaving a number between 1 and 9999 in your comment below.

Do you have a favorite this week?

Foto Friday Fun 20 Comments

Lijit

© Copyright 2008-2024. Geogypsytraveler.com