Spring Road Trip 2008

Another Spring and another road trip. I had planned to return to the Southwest and backpack through Bryce Canyon. But plans have a way of changing, so then came plans of exploring the Oregon Coast. But weather has a way of changing plans also. What I decided finally was a visit to some old Washington & Oregon favorites and few new sites as well. The best of the final plan was that I'd be able to travel with Olympia, my Yellow Lab mix who has been my companion for the past eight years - longer than my husband.

I started out at Mt St Helens then went to Cape Disappointment. From there, I traveled up the Columbia River Gorge for waterfalls and flowers. After a few days there, I continued east to the fabled Wallowa Mountains and the Zumwault Prairie. It was up to Palouse falls before heading home with one tired dog and several stories to tell. Tune in later for those fantastic stories and images.

Antelope Canyon

3/30/07

When you've been saturated with images of a special place and then finally make your own pilgrimage there one of two things can happen. Either you stand in awe that here you stand in this very special place, or it just won't stand up to you expectations. Happily I can say that I stood in awe of Antelope Canyon - at least the lower canyon impressed me, the upper one left a bit to be desired.

This day at least started out bright. Charly took us first to the lower canyon, however the steam from the coal plant on the hill above sufficiently blocked the sun from view. We meandered through the canyon admiring the twisted and curves, the striations and colors - hoping the steam would drift away and the sun would shine in on us. And finally our patience paid out, the sun streamed into the canyon reflecting off the walls and sand, to create that wonderful glowing effect I had so wanted to see in the previous slot canyons I had adventured in - that I had witnessed in Bryce.

Around mid-day, we made our way to the upper canyon and the circus that ensues there. Seems most people head to the upper canyon - this is were the iconic images of Antelope Canyon are taken. The undulating walls, the shafts of lights streaming from above, the open passages. But because of these images, people flock to this spot to huddle around each shaft of light as the tour guides throw dirt in the air to make the shaft of light stand out against the walls. There was yelling, screaming, pushing, and a bit of shoving. I somehow got mingled into the crowd and as the party ensued, I glanced around hoping his calm frame could pull me out of the madness. I finally broke free of the crowd and made my own way quietly following Charly through the canyon.

Later in the afternoon, we made out way back to the lower canyon for a few last minute shots. A tribal member, wandered through the canyon, playing his guitar - serenading the few photographers, exploring this less visited canyon. It seemed to add a special touch to the afternoon, the day, and my trip.

Bryce Canyon

3/26/07-3/27/07

A fairy wonderland. That is what I thought as I stood on the overlook above Bryce Canyon, the hoodoos and clouds reflecting the light of the setting sun. I couldn't wait until morning when the sun would make them glow. But it was the canyon floor that beckoned. I spotted a trail below and thought, that's where I'm going tomorrow - down into the canyon and on that trail.

I greeted the morning with excitement; the early evening and orange juice seemed to have chased the developing cold away, or at least kept it at bay. I had scoped out my sunrise spot the evening before and headed there to watch the hoodoos glow with the reflecting sunlight. Sometime in the evening, the wind had picked up which made the already cold morning even more brisk. The weather report had predicted snow that evening and the clouds rolled through quickly. I wouldn't be there to watch the snow fall into the canyon, but I was going to go down in the canyon hoping to be out before the weather turned real nasty.

After figuring out the best loop through the canyon, I descended in awe at the towers as they ascended overhead. The wind immediately cut, the sun seemed to break free of the rolling clouds, and the clatter of the crowds on the rims diminished. It was the warmth I had felt on the plateau; the silence, the comfort. I was at peace here. This is what home feels like. There was no hurry, so I meandered along the canyon floor until the clouds started rolling back in and as I climbed my way out the wind buffeted me about.

It was time for me to go and true to my word, this became my mos favorite place yet. I had no doubts that tomorrow would show me another favorite place, but for right now, this one would do.