Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon is the most famous slot canyon in the Southwest.

The Narrows

The Riptide

Perpetual Wave

Pierce the Darkness

Solitude

The Descent

The Chamber

For more photos, visit:  Antelope Canyon @ Blaze-A-Trail.com

Horseshoe Bend (Near Page, AZ)

Horseshoe Bend is a popular destination for photographers and is located just south of the City of Page, AZ. The mighty Colorado River exits Lake Powell and begins its long and winding journey to the Grand Canyon. Horseshoe Bend is quite remarkable as the river takes an almost 360 degree turn around the deep canyons that it helped to create. 

Notice the clothes on the photographer (Billy R) below. It was about 25 degrees and dropping as night was setting in.  Each location around the bend offers a fantastic perspective. 

The photographer below had his tripod leaning out over the precipice.  Funny story.  As the sun was going down, this guy convinced me to stay a while in order to photograph the stars.  I was about to leave as it was about 18 degrees but decided to be a tough guy and accept his invitation.  Then, he told me he was hiking back to his car to get something and be right back (the trail is less than a mile, but longer than I wanted to hike there and back at night).  So I hung out as the night just got darker and darker.  No stars yet, but dark and cold nevertheless.  Now it got too cold and I had a pair of long underwear in my backpack (no, I wasn't wearing them because earlier it wasn't as cold.)  I made the executive decision that if I was going to stay for a while, I needed to take my boots and pants off and throw them on as quickly as possible.  Well, that was a fun time with no light, standing on boulders next to a huge canyon and trying to get them on while freezing my ___ off!  When I finally got my boots back on, my toes felt frostbitten and my legs weren't much better.  The warmth I expected wasn't really happening.  After waiting another 15 minutes, I finally said forget this and packed it up hiking the dark trail back to the car - had I not had a flashlight, it would have been a huge problem.  I think I saw one star come out that whole time and don't ever remember seeing the guy come back and his car was not in the parking lot when I got there.  Sucker!!!!  

This was my first visit to the snow laced canyon and I can honestly say it won't be my last visit. Pictures are beautiful but being there and watching the sun bounce off the walls and water is an amazing experience.  Just make sure you don't let some crazy photographer talk you into staying to shoot the stars in the middle of the coldest part of December.

Link to website:  http://www.blaze-a-trail.com/Arizona-Excursions/Horseshoe-Bend/

Grand Teton National Park

One of the most familiar mountain ranges in the U.S. is the Grand Tetons.  As part of our father-son outing last August 2011, we explored all this National Park had to offer.  It didn't disappoint as we saw some incredible wildlife and views of the peaks.  My son and I had the opportunity to do a couple hikes that brought us close to deer, elk, fox and moose.  It was a great bonding experience and my son still asks me when are we going back to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons... Enjoy a few pics of this gorgeous place!

Mt. Moran at sunset - Grand Teton National Park

Take one guess why it was hard to get a crystal clear reflection of the mountains??

Elk herd below Mt. Moran at Dusk

Elk herd below Mt. Moran at Dusk

Mt. Moran Sunset - Grand Teton National Park

See more photos at:  Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks at Blaze-A-Trail.com

Yellowstone Geysers

Everyone around the world has heard of Old Faithful Geyser, but very few have probably heard of Heart Geyser or Great Fountain Geyser.  Yellowstone boasts some of the most spectacular geysers and hot springs in the world.  My son and I spent considerable time enjoying the best of Yellowstone geysers.

Firehole Geyser

Geyser along Gibbon River

"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook."  Proverbs 18:4 (ESV)

White Dome Geyser

Heart Geyser

"Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart;
a wise person draws from the well within." Proverbs 20:5 (MSG)

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

For more Yellowstone & Grand Teton photos, go to:  Yellowstone & Grand Tetons @ Blaze-A-Trail.com

Yellowstone National Park - A Unique View of Lower Falls

THIS PHOTO INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS (SEE SHORT YOUTUBE VIDEO BELOW):  While on an early morning adventure with my son to visit the Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River, we just had to stop along the way to throw rocks down the canyon.  With a 4 year old, nothing is ever as easy as just going to our planned destination and then returning the same way we came.  We had just finished visiting the famous Artist Point location to view the falls (second photo below - look familiar?) and were heading back to the car when we took a detour to look at the yellow cliffs, throw some rocks and check out the squirrels.  After a while of watching the joy in my son's eyes as he was doing what a 4 year old does, I noticed that this particular view of the falls and the cliffs was breathtaking.  The early morning sun kept half of the canyon in the shade and the nearby cliffs were especially colorful.  The trees growing precariously along the edge added to the mystique of this ancient canyon.

Traditional View of Lower Falls from Artist Point:

So, credit for this spectacular view of the Lower Falls goes to my son, the mighty Yellowstone rock thrower and wildlife hunter.

View more Yellowstone and Grand Teton Photos at:  Yellowstone & Grand Tetons @ Blaze-A-Trail.com

Vintage Washington Barn at Sunset

This abandoned barn and farmhouse is across the rural highway from Promise Farm.  When visiting the grandparents, I enjoy taking the kids and cousins there to scout out the old place and to look for wildlife in the forest beyond.  I've had my eye on this barn for a while, keeping a mental note that this would look really cool with good lighting, either at sunrise or sunset.  There was a particularly good sunset this day and I slipped away to capture the moment.

Joshua Tree Forest

On the way to Kingman just outside Wickenburg is a forest of Joshua Trees.  I drive by them all the time, probably over 50 times so far in my life.  This particular day it was storming out and the landscape took on almost a surreal feel.  This tree was on the edge of the forest on its own.