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Foto Friday Fun 420: every picture tells a story

This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by nine readers and in honor of “420” a bit of low clouds and fog that sort of look like smoke, plus a couple of beautiful places in South Africa, and me drinking the bath water.

Fog shrouded Vishnu Temple Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaDoris chose #6288.  During the monsoon month of August it’s common to see the clouds settle into Grand Canyon swirling around the temples.  I called this inversion the dragon’s breath.

Foggy cemetery view from RV Kanab UtahRita chose #7103.  Another foggy view, though not as thick, seen out my RV window across the cemetery while living in Kanab, Utah in 2016.

inversion temples North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAlan and random dot org chose #5843.  Another low cloud inversion from August monsoon seen from the North Rim Grand Canyon.

Elephant Addo Elephant National Park South AfricaJo chose #3485.  From Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa in 2013, I believe that’s the year Jo and I met.

Low clouds at sunset over Oza Butte from Lodge North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaCathy chose #9008.  More low clouds this time at sunset from the North Rim Grand Canyon.  Hope she had some nice sunsets during her recent visit there.

Gail March 1955 Spring Rd Hinsdale IllinoisDiane and Nigel got #30 for the degrees Centigrade last week.  That’s 86°F, it’s been hovering around that for over a week at Bryce.  But wouldn’t have been that warm during March 1955 when this was taken in my birth town of Hinsdale, Illinois.

Mt Hayden & canyon beyond from Point Imperial North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJeff chose #6921, “for Kg’s (eldest grandgirl) graduation date.”  I’m giving him a Grand Canyon view of Mt Hayden from Point Imperial on the North Rim.  Would make for a great graduation present Grandpa.

Mushroom Rock Golden Gate Highlands National Park R712 Free State South AfricaTreDeuce chose #1898, “B-date of my much loved and profoundly missed, paternal grandfather.”  He’s been liking the SW desert photos and this shot could fool some.  But it’s actually sandstone cliffs seen in Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa.

Suspension Bridge trail Tsitsikamma National Park South AfricaSherry chose #6152.  Another South African location, the suspension bridge trail over the Storms River in Tsitsikamma National Park.

flowers desert cactus mountain clouds Ajo Mt Dr Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument ArizonaNothing new from me this week as I’m working on a catchup post with the few photos I’ve taken recently.  Instead I’m reaching back to March 2020 in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, that I’ve just finished labeling.

Thank you for playing along with Foto Friday Fun which allows me to share these photographs and memories.  For more of the story just follow the links.  Please join in next week by leaving a number between 0001 and 9999 in your comment.

Do you have a favorite this week?

Foto Friday Fun 13 Comments

Foto Friday Fun 419: every picture tells a story

This week’s Foto Friday Fun features images chosen by 11 readers including several views of Grand Canyon and Death Valley national parks, flower, lizard, and a younger me.

Dark sky over morning sunlit canyon from Lodge North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaJennifer chose #1956.  I don’t see many sunrises, but an early morning schedule at the North Rim Grand Canyon brought me to the Lodge verandah for this moody sky during late August 2010.

Augrabies flat lizard Augrabies Falls National Park South AfricaCathy chose #9121.  More to see than waterfalls in this South African national Park with colorful Augrabies flat lizards running all over the boulders.

Iris Yarnell ArizonaLisa chose #1213.  A closeup of an Iris, the first spring flowers seen in Yarnell, Arizona.

Colorado River upstream from Tuweep overlook North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona panoJeff chose #1947, the year Tia Juana Tilly’s opened, located across from his Tijuana dentist.  This shot of the Colorado River upsstream taken the first time I visited Toroweap in the year 2010.

Storm over East Rim from Marble View Kaibab National Forest ArizonaAlan chose #1630.  Marble View, one of my favorite places to camp on the Kaibab National Forest and watch monsoon storms over eastern Grand Canyon.

Gaelyn at the canyon from Cape Royal trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaDiane and Nigel chose #406.  From my first season as a Park Ranger at Grand Canyon in 2008.  I often hike in the comfort of a skirt as seen here at the Cape Royal overlook on the North Rim.

Evening light & mist approaching Death Valley from Emigrant Canyon Road Death Valley National Park CaliforniaDoris chose #1016.  After a full day exploring Death Valley, see below, the evening light shone over the mountains on the return to camp from Emigrant Canyon in October 2009.

Augereberry Camp Eureka Mine Emigrant Canyon Road Death Valley National Park CaliforniaRita chose #1010.  A fellow Ranger and I explored Death Valley including Augereberry Camp at the Eureka Mine.

Heron in wetlands Tecopa CaliforniaSherry chose #9999.  Look closely for the Heron hiding in the grasses of a surprise wetland near Tecopa, California on the way to Death Valley, different trip than above.

View South of Cedar Breaks National Monument from Brian Head overlook Dixie National Forest UtahSue chose #1111, opposite of Sherry’s choice above seen at almost sea level.  This view from the 11,000 foot Brian Head overlooking Cedar Breaks National Monument and the Dixie National Forest beyond, Utah.

Drakensberg from Monks Cowl camp KwaZulu-Natal South AfricaJo chose #1609.  This could almost be a view from her South African home near the Drakensberg Mountains where I hiked with her son in 2010.  Taken from Monks Cowl camp only days before that hike.

Clouds over Vermilion Cliffs from LeFevre overlook SR89A Kaibab National Forest ArizonaMy choice, an old shot from 2015 looking north at the geologic Grand Staircase from LeFevre overlook.  I was searching for an image to share at my Yovimpa Point geology talk.  The top step, called the Pink Cliffs, is Bryce Canyon National Park.

Thank you for playing along with Foto Friday Fun which allows me to share these photographs and memories.  For more of the story just follow the links.  Please join in next week by leaving a number between 0001 and 9999 in your comment.

Do you have a favorite this week?

Foto Friday Fun 21 Comments

Preparing for busy at Bryce Canyon

hoodoos trees Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBefore the first big holiday of America’s summer, all staff prepared for busy at Bryce Canyon National Park expecting increased visitation.  There’s only so much we can do, and the rest is up to you.  Maybe not “you” personally, but doing some homework and being prepared sure helps for a better experience when visiting any national park site.  I ended up spending some unscheduled time off at home before the weekend.

The Monday before Memorial Day I received my second Moderna COVID shot.  Quick and easy, felt fine, and even took myself to lunch in Panguitch.  I had two paid days off for this procedure so I stayed home and hoped I wouldn’t get sick.  My boss sent over a care package in the afternoon including canned chicken soup, applesauce, jello cups, and Gatorade.  I continued to feel fine all day.

deer trees Mixing Circle Road Bryce Canyon National Park UtahTurned out to be a wildlife sort of day.  Mule deer grazing on the last road home.

baby Steller Jays Bryce Canyon National Park UtahPlus observing five baby Stellar Jays in a nest outside my window.  I had to look closely because they were so quiet, like fauns left alone, yet they are usually raucous birds.  And now they have fledged.

Sierra cat on desk with two laptops in RV Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI managed to USB tether the old laptop to the new phone and worked on some blog posts.  Lots more time involved moving photos from new laptop to old via flashdrive, but doable.  Spent many hours laboriously labeling photos.

Slept good that night except for trying to write a blog post in my sleep.  If only I could think them into cyberspace.  My arm was sore in the morning and it wasn’t long before I was back in bed with the chills.  Only felt a bit better Wednesday morning so stayed home again.  Shot the shit out of that work week as I had the next two days off.

And to be honest, except for feeling sick, I really didn’t care.  I’m struggling with work this season.  I’ve identified as a Park Ranger for 29 years and don’t know how to retire. Worry a little about money and where I’m going to live.  Still have to get signed up for Social Security that got put off when COVID hit last year.  I just can’t see myself doing nothing.  I’ve followed my gypsy dream for over 40 years.  Maybe I could offer RVer gatherings in the desert this winter to photograph/watch the full moon and include sunrise over the Kofa Mts.  Offer presentations at RV Parks about Grand Canyon.  How about a group called the Boondocking Buddies?  I don’t really like marketing so would find it challenging to organize.  I lack motivation.  Barely taken any photos.

Woke up Thursday morning with a headache.  Very unusual for me.  Because I couldn’t get online, I labeled over 600 photos and still not half way through March, that’s 2020.  I am anal that way and figure someday I may not remember where I took photos, then hope I can still read.  I took a nap, something else unusual for me.  Friday was mostly more of the same, without the headache, while I worked to learn how to do more online with the new phone.  I also learned that the current Windows 10 operating system is seen as software and wants to update regularly.  Not so great when there’s no reliable internet signal.  That means taking the laptop to work and use public WIFI.

I prepared mentally to be busy at Bryce Canyon for the holiday weekend.

trees hoodoos amphitheater clouds from rim trail Bryce Canyon National Park UtahBy the time I started work Saturday morning at nine the three entrance station lines were 15+ vehicles each and the visitor center parking lot was filling fast.  I was happy to just grab a radio and be on my way to the rim for the 11am Hoodoo geology talk.  Spent the next four hours roving with a lunch break followed by more roving as I walked back and forth along the “easiest” trail half mile each way between Sunset and Sunrise Points making over 150 visitor contacts (contact is answering questions for X amount of people).

hoodoos amphitheater trees mammatus clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWhat a crazy day!  I believe the predictions that this will be the busiest summer in National Park Service history.  Got so busy the park closed for over two hours mid-day, no place to park anywhere including an overfull shuttle parking lot out of the park.  Medicals all over. TOO MANY PEOPLE!  YIKES!  My day ended at 6:30 after a couple hours at the outside information tables.  I do love to help people enjoy the park but some don’t even know what they came to see and seem to want to just check the place off a list in a couple hour visit.  Such a shame.

After work and in the office it took 45 minutes to update Windows on the new laptop and I caught up with email comments on posts and paid my credit card.  In the morning it wants to update some more and I still get the error, “Network busy on windows” when trying to use PDANet+.  Feels like I wasted $1000 on this laptop.  Then I got online via the phone with no PDANet+ and not even sure how I got there other than persistence.

hoodoos trees clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahSunday I started work at the information tables in the middle of the middle day of the first HUGE holiday weekend. Thank goodness only an hour but will continue to help if/where needed.  Still crazy busy at Bryce Canyon and another day with several hours of closure at the entrance station.  Wonder if this will continue all summer.  I also covered information a couple hours before closing at 8pm.  I needed a mantra to keep a smile on my face—and eyes above mask when needed. “Thanks for visiting Bryce, please treat it, and each other, with respect.”

Utah Prairiedogs Bryce Canyon National Park UtahUtah Prairie dogs

Presented the 9pm evening program about wildlife at Bryce Canyon before calling it a long day.  Only presenting one program a day isn’t enough.  Certainly not what I signed up for.

I have started conversations with visitors about over crowding in the parks, asking them what do we do?  They are not in favor of knocking down trees for more parking lots, thank goodness.  Most agree reservations to enter and limited numbers seems OK.  Have to figure out what the public can do to get involved in these decisions.

yellow Arrow Balsamroot flowers Farview overlook Bryce Canyon National Park UtahArrow Balsamroot

Feels like I should write an article about the problems for National Park Service seasonal Park Rangers—who the public love–yet get treated rather poorly being college educated and underpaid because getting paid in sunsets is not enough; experience overpriced housing/RV parking if available and often with no or little internet connection available; loose earned sick leave when quit working as seasonal no matter how many years; struggle to get permanent with benefits; deal with upset visitors and overworked supervisors due to lack of staffing.  Don’t get me wrong, most of us absolutely love our jobs but it could certainly be better.

hoodoos trees Bryce Canyon National Park UtahI survived the long holiday weekend being busy at Bryce Canyon.  Monday eventually slowed down a bit.  I worked the information desk during a still busy morning.  After lunch I presented the 2pm Hoodoo geology talk and roved the rim for three hours with 175 visitor contacts. Yes, we carry counters.  Ended the day picking up litter around the visitor center parking lot.

Gaelyn's new glassesTuesday I was scheduled for project time, all day.  So I took the day off as a “mental health day” and drove the 1 1/2 hours to Cedar City for my new eye glasses.  A worthy project.  Was able to retrieve my old phone and it has a SIM card so presumably I can load the photos to my laptop.  Also did a little shopping and went out to lunch.  And now the cupboards and fridge/freezer are stuffed.  And I didn’t have to go shopping on my next three days off.

No Man's Mesa & Molly's Nipple clouds Yovimpa Point Bryce Canyon National Park UtahWednesday I went back to work for my Friday doing my favorite schedule, after opening the visitor center, to spend the day at Rainbow Point, the end of the scenic drive.  We are now scheduled to present Grand Staircase geology talks at 12:30 and 1:30 if there’s any visitors at Yovimpa Point.  A short paved walk from the Rainbow Point parking lot with a huge view 100 miles south.  It’s not an overly busy place, which I dearly love.  Yet I still answered over 100 questions and ended up presenting many mini talks about a variety of subjects based on those questions.  I am in my element, yet look forward to days off to regroup.  And this week get an oil change for the truck.  I continue to wonder if we’ll be this busy at Bryce Canyon all summer, and can I survive the crowds.

trees sunset clouds from RV Bryce Canyon National Park UtahLazy sunset shot from RV door

I’ve been grumpy lately and whining a lot.  I apologize.  In fact, I’m rather surprised anybody is still reading let alone commenting.  Trust me, I appreciate you all.  I’m going to blame at least part of this problem on dehydration.  Working a nine-hour day mostly outside in a high and dry environment it’s not easy to drink enough water.  I remind visitors all day to drink about one liter of water per hour when active.  Yet I get home in the evening to discover I might have drank 2-3 liters all day.  By bedtime, I’ve downed at least another 2-3 liters depending on time and how much Sierra pesters for a filled glass for herself.  Yes, we share the glass and she helps me remember to drink, when I’m home.

Pink Cliffs trees sunset clouds Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAt least I finally got out for a sunset along the crowded rim as even evenings are busy at Bryce Canyon National Park.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Places I've been, Seasonal Park Ranger, United States, Utah , , 33 Comments

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