I am heading back home today. Plan on getting in about 8-9 hours drive time. Not going the scenic route but will drive the interstates. It was a good sabbatical but will be glad to be home. Enjoy your weekend.
On the Road Again …
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Great Sand Dunes National Park -
38 Degrees
Sunset at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument 
Sand blowing across the dunes 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.
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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On the Road
Great Sand Dunes National Park About the time you read this I will be on the road heading south, in Phoenix area, to visit my parents and get in some photography time. I’d planned to camp at the Great Sand Dunes National Park this evening then camp at Canyon De Chelly tomorrow night. It looks like I may go to plan B and get a hotel in Durango since they are predicting 40-50% chance of rain and snow for the next two days. Plan B sounds the best as my dad says they are down in the 70’s in Phoenix. Much better than camping in the snow and rain. I would also get there Thursday evening instead of Friday. I may just revert to plan A on the way back as I’ve never been to Canyon De Chelly so visiting there is my first priority.
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Nature: The Simple Artist
Alone in an Ocean of Sand “What we can easily see is only a small percentage of what is possible. Imagination is having the vision to see what is just below the surface; to picture that which is essential, but invisible to the eye.” – Anonymous
Over time I’ve discovered how to eliminate unneeded elements in my photographs and create a powerful image. A solo tree on the horizon. The fallen maple leaf among the stones. When we first see The Great Sand Dunes we are impressed by their beauty and size as they rise over 750 feet above the valley floor. We grab out cameras,wide angle lens and tripods to capture the grandeur of those dunes. Yet, when we change our view and look closer we can find elements that are essential to making powerful images. Nature is the artist. As a photographer it is our task to find simple images provided by the artist.
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Listening to Suggestions
- Grand Canyon National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, landscape, Mesa Verde National Park, National Parks
Follow up
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado This road trip has been good for me. I’m now in Phoenix visiting my parents for a couple days and sleeping in a real bed for a change. I’ll head back out tomorrow morning and drift back towards home. I find it inexpensive to camp in the National Parks with my senior pass while entrance fees are free. I’ve never been to any of these parks before. This is not a photographic expedition but a vacation. I’m acting like a tourist and shooting from the same locations the tourists are shooting from. I just take more time as I shoot.
My first night was in the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Since it’s late in the season I’m not fighting large crowds. I’m able to select just about any campsite I desire. So far this park has been my most impressive and will stay on my bucket list. Clouds moved in early in the evening then rained hard for a couple hours during the night. I stayed dry but the rain cover on my tent was soaked the next morning. In the above image you can just make out a few people who have climbed to the top of the dunes.
Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park The second night was in Mesa Verde National Park. I’ve camped here once before while on one of my motorcycle trips. I setup camp then drove down to the cliff dwellings. I was back around 6:00 pm. As I sat on the back of my Forester eating a plum I notice out of the corner of my eye a movement near my tent. I turned and notice a large bear saunter through my camp, probably 20 feet from my tent. He never looked at me just moved back into the brush. He sure made a stir throughout the campsite. Parents were watching the kids closer and food bas being stored away.
Sunrise at Moran Point, South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park My third night was spent at the Grand Canyon. Now this place was packed. One campground was full and there were only two open sites when I drove through. I must admit to being very impressed with the canyon. It does take your breath away. It’s beauty cannot be described but must be experienced. I rose early on Saturday morning and drove to Moran Point for the morning sunrise. There were only two of us with our primary purpose to just be there, taking a photo once in a while. After he moved on I had the Canyon rim all to myself. What a place to have quiet meditation.
There are several national parks I can pass through on my way back home, with Zion and Bryce as priorities. I like this idea of making the agenda for the day after I wake up. Since I’m camping, access to the internet is very limited and it’s been nice not having it. Hope everyone is staying out of trouble while I’m gone.
