• Canyon De Chilly,  landscape,  National Monuments

    Canyon de Chelly National Monument

    September 19, 2016
    White House Ruins
    White House Ruins

    On my trip down to Phoenix I camped the second night at Canyon de Chelly National Monument. I arrived about 4:30 P.M., coming in from the northeast on 64, driving through the Navajo Nation. I stopped at a couple of the overlooks on the North Rim then headed to Cottonwood Campground and find a campsite. Not many people in the campground so I had my pick of sites. 🙂 I then headed to the South Rim and checked out some of the overlooks. It is such a beautiful place to experience. The views are spectacular and oh, the quiet.

    The monument was authorized in 1931 to preserve the important archaeological resources that span more than 4,000 years of human occupation. The monument is approximately 84,000 acres of lands located entirely on the Navajo Nation with roughly 40 families residing within the park boundaries. The National Park Service and the Navajo Nation share resources.

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  • clouds,  landscape,  sunrises

    Dust Spots

    September 12, 2016
    Sunrise on Peralta Trail
    Sunrise on Peralta Trail

    I arrived at my parents home yesterday afternoon about 12:15. I have had some wonderful weather for this trip. But, let me tell you the heat difference driving into Phoenix was a major shift for my body. It was a 100 degrees when I arrived.

    I awoke early and could see lightening north of the Superstition Mountains so I jumped in the car and drove out to Peralta Trail. I had to spend extra time on this image due to dust spots on the sensor. Frustrating.

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  • Great Sand Dunes National Park,  landscape,  sunsets

    38 Degrees

    September 10, 2016
    Sunset at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument
    Sunset at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument

    I had a beautiful day for traveling yesterday, arriving at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument. The campgrounds at the Monument were full but the ranger at the gate told me to check with the camp host as there may be a possibility of a single tent available. He was correct as they opened up a group site and put only single tents in there.

    I did some wandering around the monument and walked a short distance out on the dunes and came back for dinner. Later on I headed to a parking lot just outside the campgrounds where I thought I could get a photo of the sunset on the dunes. That’s where I took the first image.

    Sand blowing across the dunes
    Sand blowing across the dunes as I walked to the envisioned sunset

    While walking to this parking lot for the first image, the wind started to pickup as you can see in the second image. And, it blew into the early morning. And, when you camp near the sand dunes you can expect a bit of sand when the wind blows. I broke camp about 6:30 am so I could get on the road early and everything in my tent was covered with a fine layer of sand this morning, including me. It was a cool morning. When I started my car at 7:00 am the temperature gauge said is was 38 degrees. I’m now in Alamosa at the Milagros Coffee House before my drive to Canyon de Chelly.

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  • architecture,  Cityscapes/Urban,  coffee shops,  window

    Back to Study Time

    September 5, 2016
    Studytime
    Study time before the rush

    Well, school is back in session and with classes starting campus has transformed, again. Traffic is a mess again with cars and only one passenger. Bicycles and skateboarders are everywhere. Most coffee shops are packed with students writing and researching. However, if you go early enough you can find a table to enjoy a latte, mocha, tea and a bit of quiet.

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  • Candid Portraits,  Family,  lifestyles,  People/Portraits,  quotes,  window

    Watching the Sunset

    September 2, 2016
    Sharing a Moment Together
    Sharing a Moment Together

    A moment of anger can destroy a lifetime of work, whereas a moment of love can break barriers that took a lifetime to build.

    This morning is overcast and cloudy. One of those solid and flat gray skies with very little texture. The temperature is around 60 degrees so it is pleasant to be outside, walking or riding the bicycle.

    I leave a week from today for 6 weeks. Will camp one night at Great Sand Dunes NP and and one night at Canyon Dechelly then on to Phoenix to spend the rest of the time with family.

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