Cowboying it at the Grand Canyon

Best Lodging at the Grand Canyon

I had planned on doing another 3 hour exposure to capture the star trail, but the wind wreaked havoc on my tripod so it did not go as planned.   I was snugly wrapped in the sleeping bag on the ledge while this long exposure was taken.   No lights, no artificial noise, and perfect temperatures made this one of the better nights I had at the Grand Canyon



Slot Canyons - Arizona

More slot canyons from Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park

"The wonders of the Grand Canyon cannot be adequately represented in symbols of speech nor by speech itself. The resources of the graphic art are taxed beyond their powers in attempting to portray its features... The glories and beauties of form, color and sound unite in the Grand Canyon... It has infinite variety and no part is ever duplicated. Its colors, although many and complex at any instant, change with the ascending and declining sun... You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view...but to see it you have to toil from month to month through this labyrinths...but if strength and courage are sufficient for the task, by a year's toil a concept of sublimity can be obtained never again to be equaled on hither side of Paradise."
Powell, John Wesley  1909

 

Well after being here for a week I figured it was time to post a photo of the grand canyon.  Pictures really do not do the canyon justice.  I arrived here Monday night and went out about an hour before sunrise on Tuesday.   It was pitch dark but as the sun slowly started to appear over the horizon the canyon started to reveal itself.  First the walls, then the depths of the canyon, then the details in the rock, and finally the contrast of colors as the sun reflected off the rock, shadows appeared, etc.   It was definetely awe inspiring.

Upper Antelope Canyon - Arizona

"True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing." - Baltasar Gracian

Upper Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona.   This was my first attempt in photographing slot canyons, and even though the lighting isn't the best this time of the year, it was still an incredible experience.  

Horseshoe Bend - Arizona

Horseshoe Bend - Arizona

I have seen this photo countless times and was excited to hear that it was about a three hour drive from the Grand Canyon so I decided to make a trip.  I was on the road around  3am thinking that this view was looking East, but I was mistaken, it faced towards the West so I had to wait in the cold wind for quite some time before the sun was high enough to actually direct light down into the canyon.   If you look close you will see three boats and about 6 tents along the shore in the bend.   That will give you an idea of how deep the canyon is (about 1000 feet).