Epilogue: Utah Adventure 2020

Every time I go on a photo trip, whether it be a short one or two-day excursion or an extended trip like this one, I learn a bunch of things: I learn more about my passion photography (both technically and artistically); I of course learn about the place I am visiting; and, I learn more about myself.  I think that's what I find so enjoyable about taking these trips.  Sure, I am hoping that I can capture an amazing image or two, but it is truly the journey, as they say, that inspires me.  And, being an only child, I enjoy the solitude as well as the freedom to go where and when I want!

I won't bore you with everything I learned from this trip, except with regards to Utah itself.  Utah, specifically southern Utah where I spent most of my time, is a diverse, desolate, yet amazingly beautiful place.  I knew this beforehand, which is largely why I chose this destination of course, but I was still struck by the sheer beauty of the landscapes.  On many occasions upon rounding a curve or cresting a hill I would literally exclaim, "OMG", "amazing", "awesome" or "that's cool"!

As I mentioned previously, most of my planned photo stops were outside the national parks.  For one, I wasn't interested in simply taking the same photos that tourists and many photographers take (though I did take some of these too!).  Secondly, Utah has some incredible landscapes that are not in the national (or even state) parks, which in and of itself is pretty astonishing.  For the most part in this regard, I was able to capture the images I wanted (plus more).  

That all said, I was indeed surprised how beautiful and photogenic the national parks were.  The pictures that I had seen online do not do them justice, and unexpectedly I was able to capture some good images in the parks.  The only park of the "Big 5" I didn't visit was Zion, but I definitely liked Bryce and Canyonlands the best.  Arches is very scenic too, but after awhile, the arches just seem to blend together, at least from a photographic perspective. 

So the question is: will I ever go back to Utah?  I always say I would like to return to the places I have visited, but the reality is that I have so many other locations I'd like to photograph.  But if I did, I would likely pick a smaller geographical area on which to focus.  In retrospect, I probably had too much on my plate.  I spent quite a bit of time driving from one location to another, more so than I expected.  As a result, I lost a fair bit of shooting time, and I wasn't always able to be in a location at the time of day I wanted to, such as sunrise.  And, many of the locations required a significant hike to get there.  I'm not adverse to hiking, but the hikes chewed up even more time.  Plus, some of the hikes were rather aggressive (even though they were rated as "easy" or "family friendly").  After all, I'm no "spring chicken" anymore (Mary Jo said that makes me a "fall chicken", which is probably pretty accurate), and it definitely takes longer for me to recover from these excursions (a week plus in this case).

Where to next?  Well, I'm not sure.  Mary Jo's cousin Eric, who is also an avid photographer, and I have been discussing the possibility of a photo trip together.  Right now we are thinking either Iceland (which would be a return for me) or the Canadian Rockies (Japser and Banff National Parks in particular) in 2021.  However, it all depends on COVID-19.  Both Canada and Iceland currently prevent people from the US traveling into their countries, so we will just have to see how things pan out.  If I do go to either of these place (or someplace else), I will definitely be blogging!

Okay, enough rambling.  I will leave you with some additional images from my adventure. Thanks again for reading my blogs and for all the generous feedback! 

Sunrise at Little Egypt

Long shadow of rock formation at Little Egypt

Silhouetted tree on one of the hikes

Top of Factory Butte at sunrise

Bare Aspen trees in Dixie National Forest (B&W)

Coming into Staircase Escalante National Monument

Lone Cottonwood Tree in pothole at Dance Hall Rock at dawn (B&W)

Rock formation at Dance Hall Rock

Close-up of hoodoos at Bryce (I previously posted same image in color - also pretty cool in B&W, eh?)

Colorful rocks!

Another amazing view inside Staircase Escalante National Monument

Horseshoe Bend, this time in black & white

Interesting shelter along hiking path to Horseshoe Bend (B&W)

Small waterfall along Kanarra Creek

Roots on hike back from Kanarra Creek Falls (B&W)

Atop the Sulphur Creek Overlook

Sunrise at Mesa Arch

View coming back from Landscape Arch hike

Toadsotol Hoodoo - bush close-up

"Selfie" and my campervan

Special Edition: Moonscape Overlook

As I was deciding which images to include in my upcoming Epilogue, there were so many from Moonscape Overlooked that I liked, and it was going to be difficult to decide which ones to include.  I thought, "Why not do a special edition post just on Moonscape Overlook?"  So that's what I'm doing!

Moonscape Overlook was one of my very first stops, and it was one of my top...if not the top...photo location on my list.  Overall I was very pleased with the collection of images I obtained from this location, both technically and aesthetically.  To be fair, this is simply an incredible landscape with many great composition possibilities, especially during sunset, so it's hard not to come away with at least a few good images.

Here are the images, some of which are admittedly somewhat similar.  In this regard, I'd be interested in any feedback as to which ones you like the most (or least).  You'll also see that a few are black & white, which is my preferred format.  Enjoy!  (Remember, clicking on the thumbnail will display a larger, higher resolution image.)

The "Asian dude image" again, but redited

 

A panorama (I captured another person standing on the rock, far right)

Day 9: Life Elevated

Life Elevated is Utah's tourism motto.  I think it's a pretty good one.  It could be interpreted in so many different ways, including literally: much of Utah is close to or greater than 1 mile above sea level*, and the many mountains, mesas, buttes, cliffs and other grandiose rock structures often tower far above you.  But for me personally, Life Elevated means I had the opportunity to take this wonderful trip, for which I am very thankful.  It also means I was very fortunate to have viewed some of the most amazing scenery this great country has to offer.  On several occasions I sensed a profound spirituality and recognition of God's hand in all I was experiencing: at Moonscape Overlook where there was virtually no sound, no wind, and the warmth of the sun on my back; or at Dance Hall Rock where I was miles from civilization and all by myself on those out-of-this-world rocks; and at Green River Overlook where it was also was so quiet and peaceful, I could literally hear the air rushing through the feathers of birds flying through the canyon below me!  Yep, life elevated.

But, like they say, all good things must come to an end, and today was the last day of my trip.  I was physically exhausted and mentally drained.  I missed Mary Jo, I missed my bed, I missed everyday conveniences, and I missed taking a shower.  It was thus time to go (plus, I had plane reservations, so I really didn't have much choice).

But wait!  I have time for one more quick hike.  It wouldn't work out for any more slot canyons.  They would all take too long to drive there or to hike (I guess it just wasn't meant to be).  There was however one other place on my "must visit" list located on BLM land not far from my location: Corona Arch.  My only reservation was how much time it would take to hike and the fact it required climbing a short metal ladder and in a couple spots holding onto safety cables.  On a normal day this wouldn't stop me, but again I was tired and had limited time.  However, one description of the hike indicated you could see the arch before you got to all the "serious stuff".  OK, let's give it a try!  If it got too late, I would simply turn around.

It was just as the description indicated.  As I got to a safety cable that ascended a steep section of slickrock, the arch came into view...and with time to spare.  Perfect!  I started taking shots, and a few moments later, the sun's rays started to radiate over the adjacent cliff and illumiate the rocks above the arch.  Even better!  I wanted to stay for the whole "show" but it was time to go.

Corona Arch (right).  Notice another arch at far left.

Slickrock.  The teal paint indicates the trail.

One of the safety cables.  This is a little deceiving as you could almost walk across this without it...but better safe than sorry!

Interesting rock erosion inside this "mini-cave"

Cool "layered" rock

The trail crosses a railroad track (the warning signs and barriers were excellent), and I thought it was intriguing how they cut through the rock for the track. Converted to monochrome.

 

After a quick stop to go potty and grab a cup of coffee, I started the LAD (Long A__ Drive) back to Salt Lake City, about 4 hours (assuming I didn't run into bad traffic in the city like I did on Day 1, which I didn't thankfully).  I had packed up most of my things the night before, but I still had few things to throw together, plus dispose of a bag of garbage, do a quick sweep out of the van, and top it off with gas.  I did these things without problem and dropped the van off in the economy lot at the airport.  I then grabbed the shuttle to the terminal, checked my bag, breezed through security, and was at my gate 30 minutes before boarding.  Talk about perfect timing!  Dude, you still got it!!!

The flight was uneventful, though I didn't sleep as I thought I would.  Mary Jo was right there to pick me up, and we drove back to Midland.  That shower sure felt good (as did Mary Jo's hugs and kisses)!

NOTE: I will post one last time, perhaps in a week or so, after I've had a chance to recover and reflect a bit more on the trip.  Hopefully I'll have some more images to share, as well as my "take-aways" from the adventure.  Till then, thank you all for taking the time to read my blogs.  I get real pleasure in sharing these with you!

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*According to www.netstate.com, "Utah is the third highest state in the union with a mean elevation of 6,100 feet above sea level. Its lowest point is Beaverdam Wash at 2,000 feet above sea level. The highest point in Utah is Kings Peak, at 13,528 feet above sea level."

Day 8: Now THAT’S What I’m Talkin’ About!

Tuesday, my last full day in Utah made up for the previous day...and then some!  All in all, a great way to end a great trip. 

I had nearly forgotten that I had several spots in and around Arches and Canyonlands National Parks (ANP & CNP) identified, including a couple that were in the “must visit” category. One of them was the Green River Overlook in CNP.  As I have done every day during the trip, I awoke early, and I thought it would be good to try and capture the overlook under a little moonlight and during the blue hour*.   The view itself was amazing, and I was not disappointed with the lighting.

 

Green River Overlook, CNP, during Blue Hour & Moonlight

The sun hadn’t come up yet, and I thought maybe I could catch it at Mesa Arch, which was just a short drive away.  Mesa Arch is a popular spot, not only because it is very accessible, but also because photos of it at sunrise are ubiquitous, showing up in travel brochures, magazines, screen savers and even billboards throughout Utah.  When I arrived at the parking lot, it was already full of cars & campers.  I quick grabbed my gear and hustled to the arch.  There were a dozen-plus people lined up right in front of the arch ready to catch that iconic moment when the sun breaks the horizon.  I grabbed a couple shots of that moment too, but I wanted to capture some unique perspectives, if I could.  After the sun came up, many (though not all) of the people and photographers left, thinking they had “gotten the shot”.  Unfortunately for them, it only got better: as the sun continued to rise, it illuminated the underside of the arch, giving it a bright orange glow.  Fabulous!

This is what happens when a spot becomes popular and is readily accessible

Essentially the shot most everyone was after

This is how Mesa Arch looked after the sun continued to come up!

And another...Amazing!

I didn’t have anything else specific in CNP that I wanted to shoot.  However, I was still on mission to do another slot canyon since my other places didn’t pan out.  There was a short, easy one in CNP, but the description I found said it was “at the end” of a certain trail.  Well, which end?  This was important here because the trail in particular was 6.1 miles one way and rated as strenuous.  I found the trail and headed out.  I hiked for about 15 minutes or so and didn’t see anything that looked like it might be a slot canyon.  I concluded it must be on the other end of the trail, which unfortunately is accessible by only by 4WD (or hiking).  Rats!

 

As I was preparing to leave, I noticed a storm brewing to the southwest.  Hmm, I wonder what the Green River Overlook would look like now?  I was close-by and went to check it out.  The colors were now more reddish, but the partially overcast sky and dark clouds beyond made for some great compositions.

Green River Overlook w/storm brewing - Black & White

Green River Overlook Detail - Black & White

Green River Overlook Detail - Black & White

Green River Overlook later in day

I was still looking for slot canyons, and there was one on the other (East) side of ANP.  I thought about going there next, but the cloudy/stormy skies could make for a good backdrop for the arches in ANP, so I head there instead.  

By the way, I was very impressed with CNP, or Island in the Sky as it also called.  There are lots of fantastic canyon-type views that rival the Grand Canyon IMO, along with many hiking trails.

 

Hazy Canyon View

Unknown rocks w/storm brewing in distance 

ANP is a quick drive from CNP.  We had briefly stopped at ANP on our way to Arizona last winter, and I knew I wanted to come back.  There were a few arches on my list that I wanted to visit, in fact, such as Windows Arch, Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch.  While the skies didn’t come into play quite as much as I had hoped, I still feel I got some decent shots.  

 

The Three Gossips, Arches National Park

A twisted tree along path to Landscape Arch

Landscape Arch

North Windows Arch

Turret Arch with storm clouds in background 

Weathered tree detail - Black & White

By the way, all of the arches are readily accessible, but they all require a little hiking, especially if you want get up close.  When I was shooting Windows Arch (there are actually two Windows Arches, a north and a south), I wanted to see what the composition might look like from the other side, so I climbed down the rocks (not too difficult).  Then I noticed a trail to other Windows Arch.  I wandered over and noticed a family with young kids climbing down from underneath the arch.  It looked a little more challenging, but I thought if the young kids can do it, I can.  And, going up is often easier than going down (I literally said said this to myself).  My decision to climb up under the arch assumed there was another, easier way down on the other side.  Wrong!  Unless you’re a rock climber, getting down from the other side was virtually impossible.  So I had to go back the way I came.  Not overly difficult — I just had to take it slow and think about the best route (don’t worry mom, I was very careful! 😜).

Ok, I was done!  It was getting late in the day, and I had shot everything I wanted or was able to.  It was too early to go to a campsite, and since Moab had a pretty decent brewery, I decided that a well-deserved beer might be in order!

 

Cheers!

*While not always 60 minutes in duration, the “blue hour” is that period of time before sunrise and after sunset where the residual light takes on a bluish cast.  (This is in contrast to the “golden hour” with its characteristic yellows and oranges.)  The blue hour is favored by many landscape photographers due to its low contrast and somber mood.