Dead Horse Point SP, 7/24/12

Standing in front of the Monitor & Merrimac at our first photo stop of the trip. Canyonlands NP, 7/24/12

We kicked this trip off by making the half-day trip from Salt Lake to Moab with Patti’s brother & sister-in-law. They had just finished a big weekend celebrating their 40th anniversary and joined us for this segment of the trip. After we checked into our hotels (they were at a very swanky place outside of town), we hooked up and went for a drive. We checked out Canyonlands NP and I got the first of many, many photos. Next morning, Patti and I hit Arches NP early and ran into a ranger about to start a guided walk at our second stop. He took us about the Windows area and gave us a nice flora/fauna talk. We also took a short hike up a hill (our first challenge) to see Delicate Arch from a distance. The altitude made itself known.

We joined the family at their fancy digs for lunch. Afterwards we took a drive up Rt 128, which is just beautiful, and checked out Fisher Towers and Dewey Bridge, which, as we all know, was the second longest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi. Back in the day. That night we checked out Canyonlands more thoroughly which was pretty damn impressive. Lots of stunning views of canyons. This was also about the time that the phrase “Holy crap!” came to mean “Look at that!” It was said a lot over the next two weeks. Then we went to Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset and a picnic dinner.

There are a couple of things that I really looked forward to on this trip. Photographing Sunrise at Bryce Canyon (which was great, btw). Enjoying a cocktail on the veranda at Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge (which was great too). Also on that list was shooting sunset at Dead Horse Point SP. From reading about it I knew it was impressive, but the actuality of it was a new experience for me. I got lots of very nice shots there. And learned lessons concerning wrapped sandwiches and coolers.

Looking down “Park Avenue”, Arches NP, 7/24/12

One of “The Windows”, Arches NP, 7/24/12

Off, way off, Rt 128 near Moab, UT, 7/24/12

Dewey Bridge, Rt 128 near Moab, UT, 7/24/12

Canyonlands NP, 7/24/12

Canyonlands NP, 7/24/12

Dead Horse Point SP, 7/24/12