Tag Archives: photography

My Photo Journey: From Game to Gallery Recognition

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I had a new experience the weekend before Christmas. I don’t enter competitions with my photographs very often. I am my own worst critic. Nothing is good enough. Everything needs to be improved.

I am part of an online photography game, Gurushots. In the game, one enters different contests, and other members vote on which photographs they like. It is fun, and I have met very nice people through participating in the game.

Another aspect of this game is that you can enter your photos in showings in galleries worldwide for a small fee. This exhibit has two aspects. About fifty photos will be on the gallery’s walls, and the rest will be represented digitally. Over the years of my involvement with this game, I have had mine accepted as a digital entry a handful of times.

This past fall, I was notified that my photo had been selected to hang on the gallery walls at the Coningsby Gallery in London for a three-day gallery exhibition. Whoa, I didn’t know that would happen. I was thrilled to know it had been selected.

On opening night, they showed a video for those who could not visit the gallery. London was a bit far, especially since I have some big plans for the near future. I followed the video through the two photography exhibits in the gallery. One was a nature photography exhibition, and the one my photo was chosen for was Portrait Photographer of the Year. And…just like that, there was my photo.

The photo was taken on a Photo Safari in Kenya in 2019 with Pangolin Photo Safaris. I traveled for ten days through two reserves. Three professional photographers on the safari taught me so much in the time I was there. On the last full day, they had us rise before dawn, and the people who worked at the reserve we stayed in came in traditional dress. With the help of the first morning light, we learned to take photos enabled by this magic moment of the day. This was one of the photos.

Here is a sampling of other photos from that morning shoot. It is a Slide Show, so click the arrow.

Every day, small moments of joy bring us happiness. When things are tough, or I am having a bad day, these moments of joy help lighten the sadness, chaos, or whatever else is happening in my life. I am so thankful when I can recognize these moments.

Finding out I had been accepted into this show brought me more than a small moment of joy. It made my heart lighten. Undoubtedly, a little self-pride is involved, but not all is wrong. I am thankful for the opportunity this presented to me. It is good to know my hard work in learning photography comes with these moments of reward.

I often work on my photography skills, taking workshops and exploring how to improve. I have improved my photography since 2019. Yet, this photo shows my progress, and I feel so good that it was acknowledged. And it is fun to share it with you.

Today, I am thankful for a moment in time, for a fine photo being acknowledged, and for the opportunity to share it with you.

Today, I am so thankful.

A Summer of New Adventures

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Totem

I returned state-side from British Columbia last Monday. Sadly my time in western Canada has drawn to an end. It was a grand adventure north of the border. I spent a month traveling on Vancouver Island, Cortes Island for a workshop at Hollyhock before boarding the ferry and going as close to Alaska as I could. I spent ten days on Haida Gwaii before I reversed direction, After spending more time on Vancouver Island I once again returned to the United States.

Was it a good summer, so far? Resoundingly, Yes!

I have returned to my friends home on Whidbey Island and have been here for six days, resting up, visiting with Birdy Boy and getting ready for my next summer adventure.

You may ask, what is my next adventure.

Lake Sammamish State Park

After successfully completing a security clearance I am becoming a volunteer for Washington State Parks. I will be conducting surveys in the northern Washington State Parks. I will learn more about what I am doing today when I move into my home for the next three weeks, Lake Sammamish State Park.

Do I really know what I am doing? Not yet. I will be checking in in the early afternoon today, Tuesday and then receive a full orientation. I am expanding my world, trying something new. I will be volunteering through the Labor Day weekend.

I am looking forward to this new experience. It will be interesting to learn more about Washington. I am able to work with the state parks and give back to a park system I support. It will be interesting to meet people from all over the globe.

And…since I only work twenty-four hours a week I will have time to reach out and explore new territory.

And…I will be camped near a camera store that I have always wanted to visit, Kenmore Cameras. A photographers dream.

I am thankful that I am always ready for a new adventure.

The Best Laid Plans….

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You know how you make a plan that seems set, and then bam… something happens, and everything changes? Here I am, not even out of California, and things have changed. Sigh.

Santa Barbara

My friend Tina and I had a wonderful five days exploring Santa Barbara and Carpenteria. It was casual and relaxing, just what I needed, and I hope she enjoyed it, too.

Tina headed south on the bus/train on April 1, and I headed north. Something was not right with me. I had been feeling off for about five days, just a little, and it was easy to ignore or put it aside.

Lavender Fields at Sunset

I gave up after spending a lovely night at Hambly Lavender Farm in the Central California Coastal area. I decided to see a doctor to find out what was happening physically.

I called a Roadtrek friend in Salinas, CA. You might remember my adventures with Woody the Cat. I have house-sat for Mandy, Woody, and Rocky, the dog, a few times over the past few years. I wanted someone to love me a little and listen to me. I did not want to be alone.

I am in Salinas through the weekend, at least. I am now on antibiotics for an infection, and I get to rest, relax, and enjoy everyone’s company. I also have a soft big bed in which to sleep.

I have had problems with infections this winter, and I thought they had resolved, but they have not yet. Hopefully, this will work, and I can continue north. If not, I will decide what I am doing and when, on the fly. Plans might be changing for the summer. Stay tuned.

Sleeping in the Lavender Fields

I have often said that my RV, EmmyLou, saved my life after Jim’s death. My first trip, less than a year after he died, was a lifesaver. Everyone was waiting to greet me with open arms. I was loved, pampered, and more.

Traveling, seeing amazing and unique places, and meeting interesting and delightful people have been an experience. Meeting people and becoming friends with them is definitely the part of this experience that saved me when I needed it most.

These people are not just Roadtrek friends; I have become friends with diverse people. I feel so honored to call them my friends. We travel together. I visit them in their homes, house-sit for them, we meet in the desert in the winter, along the Oregon Coast in the summer, kayak together, go to Mexico, and more. My life has become richer and fuller due to these friendships. I have been reading quotes recently about the need for people to find their tribe. My RV’ing buddies are definitely part of my tribe, and I am so honored to have each and everyone in my life. I treasure these Heartfelt friendships.

This is the latest update. Travel is temporarily on hold. I am resting and enjoying an extended visit with Mandy. It is good to catch up. I get to take Rocky for walks. It gets me out and keeps me active on these rainy days. Woody snuggles in the evening. What more could I ask for? Well, I could ask to be well. I am working on that.

Meanwhile, I am thankful for so much today. I am thankful for the Nurse Practitioner who was kind and helpful this morning. I am thankful for the good medical care in this country. I am thankful for my Tribe—you know who you are. On a cold, rainy, and hail-kind-of day, I am thankful for Mandy, who has taken me in, loved me, and given me a big, comfy bed to sleep in.

Today, I am Thankful for Just About Everything.

Finding Campsites

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People ask me how I find my campsites. I am not a planner, I never know where to end my day. I usually settle in somewhere by three thirty in the afternoon so I have time to enjoy where I am camping.

I have been traveling across big states. Most states look big for this gal from Delaware. I have been driving through Oklahoma forever. Well, not really but it feels that way. This is the heartland country. There are miles and miles of fields broken up by cattle yards. It is often a flat and unbroken country. Similar to the TransLabrador Highway it is a big, lonely country. More people and traffic are in these states than on the highways in Canada.

Often I try to find somewhere to camp that can break up the monotony of the day’s drive. One way to find a campsite is to look for water on a map. If there is a lake or large river often campgrounds are close by. In Oklahoma, I found a lovely state park, Salt Plains State Park. This state park was a relief after a day’s drive.

Salt Plains State Park is one of Oklahoma’s most unique state parks. The barren landscape of the nearby Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of salt leftover from an ocean that covered Oklahoma in prehistoric times, and the saltwater lake in the park, Great Salt Plains Lake, is about half as salty as the ocean.

A selenite crystal dig area is open for a limited season nearby. Located just under the surface of the salt plains, these crystals usually form into an hourglass shape. Oklahoma is the only place in the world where the hourglass-shaped selenite crystal can be found.

There were campsites available near the lake and below the dam on a park on the North Fork of the Arkansas River. I chose the river and am glad I did. The sites were right on the water and the view was marvelous. There was shade and my neighbors were nice and helpful. I could easily take my bike out for a ride and enjoy the prairie in a different way.

Before I pointed EmmyLou west I took time to do the driving tour of the refuge. It was a bit early for the migratory bird population. It was quiet on the refuge.

Currently, I am bird watching and photographing birds. When I decide to indulge in one of my passions I look for camping nearby. I spent three nights at the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge, about two hours south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. There is an RV park a mile outside the Refuge, Bird Watchers RV Park. Billy wants to sell it and there have been rumors that it is closed but each time I visit the Bosques it remains open and convenient for wildlife viewing on the refuge. Nature certainly overflows the refuge and I had many quail come visit me during my stay.

At the Bosque

The sandhill cranes are migrating south. I love these birds. By winter the Bosque will have thousands of cranes, snow geese, and many varieties of ducks that winter on the refuge. It was early in the season so the large amounts of birds had yet to arrive but I saw enough cranes to make me and my camera happy.

Whitewater Draw

Now I am camped at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Refuge in southcentral Arizona. One of the many nice things about this refuge is that I can camp right in the parking lot. Since the cranes often depart before sunrise it is a quick walk to observe these marvelous birds. Again, it is early in the migration here. At the moment there are about 400 cranes on the refuge, by winter there will be over seven thousand in the refuge and twenty-three thousand in the Wilcox Valley.

From here it will be a few days drive to San Diego and settling into a campground for a few months. It is time to say hello to good and dear friends, the Pacific Ocean and get all things medical and dental done.

Finding unique and interesting places to camp and visiting Wildlife refuges along the way helps to break up the drive across this vast country. I especially like State, County, City, and Federal Lands to camp on. They are often interesting places for me to explore.

Today I am thankful that our Governments have set aside interesting places for me to visit and camp. Today I am thankful that I can feel safe traveling and camping.

Today I am thankful.

Florida On My Mind

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A week ago I arrived in Florida. I have never spent much time in this state. I am enjoying exploring a new area of the United States. with good friends. I have moved out of my rig for a few weeks to visit with Missy and Dan. I have a bed and my own private refrigerator. Mostly though I have company. I am enjoying that to the utmost.

2017 was the last year Missy and I met in person. I stay west and she stays east in this very large country. We have “zoomed”, texted, and talked on the phone. Oh, and there has also been the occasional e-mail. In this modern world, there are many ways to stay in touch and maintain long-distance friendships. Yet, there is still nothing better than being physically present with a friend.

And…I have my own personal tour guide showing me Florida. We have camped at Myakka State Park, biked (rather hot and hard mountain biking through sand), and walked. Still in the plans are kayaking and more. I am enjoying getting to know this state.

Myakka State Park

The other great joy of being with Missy is that we are both photographers so we are exploring the natural places in this part of the state, the southwest area of Florida with our cameras. It is fun to be with another photographer. It helps me to learn and grow in this craft that I enjoy so much. Missy, being a professional photographer, has much wisdom to share. Click Here to view her website. Her photos are amazing. She also sells Photo Art. Yes indeed, I have a lot to learn from her.

Photo Shoot at the Audobon Rookery
Tiki

The main attraction is a new addition to their household. A week ago Missy and Dan adopted a Ringed Neck Parrot. Tiki is the fascination of the house. We laugh at its antics and celebrate each new step it takes. Any time we are around Tiki the cell phone cameras get busy taking photos. It is no different than having a new baby in the house. Who knew a bird could be so entertaining. And oh my what a pretty bird it is, blues and greens dominate with a pretty red beak.

Endurance-The act, quality, or power of withstanding hardship or stress.

Englewood and the surrounding areas were hit hard by Hurricane Ian. This area remains in recovery mode. My friends and Missy’s parents’ houses were damaged in the storm, although not as bad as others in the community where they live. It is interesting to be here and see the damage that was done. Nature is powerful. It is also interesting to experience the endurance of people. Slowly people are rebuilding. Some have sold their homes. Some are removing the damaged units and replacing them with new homes. Some are repairing. People have lost a lot yet they endure and come back stronger.

After the devastation occurred people in this community showed their caring for each other. They helped each other out. Missy’s brother arrived from Maine to help get his parent’s house back up and in running order. Other people in the community, locally have offered services, supplies, and more. Organizations arrived to offer food, all three meals, while people were without services and busy cleaning up. Others arrived offering drinks. In diversity, the best sides of others often come forward. Humankind wants to help others. I believe that is an inherent trait.

I will remain here for at least another week before I begin the slow trek north to the mid-Atlantic states. It is good for my soul to finally see my east coast family after four years away due to Covid.

Today I am thankful for my friends who love me from a distance and close up. Today I am thankful for friendships that endure. Today I am thankful.

Ferry Riding in the Pacific Northwest

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I am waiting in line for the ferry. At least twice a week I can make this statement. This is what happens when one lives in the Northwest and wants to connect to the mainland or to other islands.

Maybe after living here long enough the ferry rides are no event but currently, well I just love the ferries. I like short rides. I like long rides. I love being in the front and once I was in the very back. I was the last vehicle on board.

Ferries are extensions of roads. When the schedule gets off, it affects a lot of people. Once I was on Vancouver Island in Canada and my ferry was canceled. I had to find a different route to get off the Island and get on another ferry to go to another island. It was messy but it worked. I understand after that event, ferries are essential for those who live on the many islands in Washington state and British Columbia.

Why am I waiting for a ferry? Where am I? Where am I going? Twice a week I travel from Whidbey Island to the mainland to see a sports medicine chiropractor. I have issues with my left Achilles and with his help, my heel is slowly improving.

One day my friends, Melissa and Will, and I took the ferry as walk-on’s to Port Townsend for the afternoon. We wandered, had lunch, and then returned late in the day. All that for $4.30. It felt like I was on a mini-vacation.

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

A week ago I took the ferry on my longest ride yet. I went to San Juan Island for a week to visit Pat, a friend, and a fellow photographer. Pat has lived on this island for many years and I feel fortunate to have such a knowledgeable friend and guide. We talked and had fun and took pictures.

We traveled a lot on the island. We hiked to interesting and unusual places. One day we saw Orcas. Every late afternoon we would drive to this gravel road and wait for the foxes to come out. Yes, foxes. There are red foxes on this island and if one is fortunate you will get a chance to see them as they hunt in the fields and ditches. The first night we saw several, I really can’t remember what the count was.

After that first night, we decided to take our dinner and sit in the rig, on the dirt road and wait. There were never as many foxes as that first night. It didn’t seem to matter we were happy with what we saw.

This is the fun of being with another photographer. We share a common interest. Both of us got excited when we saw any moving thing. It didn’t matter how long we sat there and waited. When the next late afternoon would arrive we would look at each other and say “Foxes!”. And off we would go.

Mulkiteo Lighthouse

Now I am back on Whidbey Island and enjoying my short ferry rides to the mainland and back. I find the ferry rides add a bit of adventure and excitement to my day. I have to time my departure from the island to make it on time for my appointment. If I arrive on the mainland side early, I spend time exploring the port town of Mulkiteo. There is a beautiful lighthouse on the “Sound”

My time on Whidbey Island is winding down. I will be heading south at the end of October. I will miss my ferry rides. These are moments to relax, contemplate or read a book. I have learned patience and discovered a bit of joy in the wait.

Today I am grateful to have discovered island living and the fun of riding the ferries.

A view from the stern of the Ferry

Finding Lessons Everywhere

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This past summer I became involved in an online game for photographers called GuruShots. I have belonged to this site for a while, using it as a way to explore what photographers are doing and expanding my skills and knowledge. This past summer I decided to join a team and explore what this aspect of the game was about.

The team chooses a theme challenge and competes against another team. For example, the current theme is “24 Hours”. The challenges last from a few hours to a day. What do we win? Knowledge, points, and a progression up the board of the game.

I joined the Photography Friends team. I chose this team because of the team description.

“Our team objective is to share in the joy of photography and learn from each other in a friendly atmosphere. Although winning matches and advancing our team is great, it is not our primary goal. If this sounds good to you, please join us.”

I have been learning a lot. I have discovered photos that I had forgotten about and have been amazed at some of my work. I have also been making new friends from around the world.

“Freedom” was the theme of a challenge a few weeks back. The team chose it because it seemed to be an easy challenge to find photos that represented the theme. I began to think about what freedom meant. It would be easy to put up a photo of an eagle or the Flag. This is an international community and those photos lose their meaning once you embrace the world.

I entered photos and they did well. Do I think they represented the topic? No, not really.

These are the four photos. You can double click on them to enlarge them.


Freedom means more to me with each passing day, during this current state of affairs in this country. Freedom means that my voice is heard. When did this country stop respecting the freedom and respect of religious choice? Freedom means I can walk down the street and feel safe and secure. I may feel safe and secure, yet not everyone has that choice and that walk is not free to all.

Freedom means one thing to people with wealth. Freedom may have another meaning to someone homeless and on the streets or existing on a low-income wage.

The more I thought of this contest and the pictures I added the more I felt like I copped out. This was an opportunity for me to address freedom. It may have taken more effort to go out and find symbols of freedom to photograph. What would those symbols be? The freedom to protest. I believe I could have found a symbol of this today. Black Lives Matter. There would have been many opportunities to find symbols of religious freedom. A photograph of the word Voice would have been appropriate and meaningful.

What began as a simple contest evolved into much more as I began to contemplate what freedom really means to me, to this country, and to the world.

Today I would like to commit myself to help others experience freedom without fear. Today I am grateful to experience freedom in all its unique and usual forms. I also make a promise to myself not to cop out when a topic such as this surfaces again.

Safari

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Safari in Kenya, with Pangolin Photo Safaris, was a major adventure. It was thrilling and tiring. I traveled to the Masai Mara for five days and continued on to the Samburu Reserve in northern Kenya for three nights.

There were twelve people on the Masai Mara part of our trip and eight continued on to Sambura. They were all ages and from all parts of the world. Many of the attendees had traveled with Pangolin before. When guests return to the same company for new adventures, it says a lot about the company and the hosts and in this case our photography educators.

Gerhard “Guts” Swanepoel and Janine Krayer are the professional photographers and managers of the tour to both destinations. Guts is a co-founder of Pangolin Photo Safaris. Andreas Knausenberger, another well known wildlife photographer and organizer for the company,  joined the group for the Masai Mara portion of the trip. All three of the photographers were personable and worked hard to meet the guests needs.

Our Safari Vehicles

There were only four guests in each jeep and the photographers rotated jeeps each day. It was interesting to have different techniques introduced each day. The teaching styles of the teachers were different and complemented each other.

 We were awake before dawn, boarded our Safari vehicles and took off around sunrise. Animals and birds are much more active during that time of the day and later in the afternoon. We stayed out all day, stopping for breakfast and lunch out in the bush. As the sun was finally touching the horizon and dusk was settling in, our drivers would make a mad dash to get back to camp. In the Masai Mara they are not allowed to be out in the park after dark. Sumbara was similar. Dinner was at eight and then we made our way back to our tents so we could do it all again the next day. 

Learning techniques

This was a Photo Safari. Besides seeing animals (yes we did see many) I was learning to improve my nature photography skills. And here is what I have learned so far…I am such a raw beginner. It was a very humbling experience to be around so many good photographers that often spoke a language I did not understand. I am returning state side with new tricks in my pocket. I know I will not remember all the things I learned, yet, I will stumble through my learning curve, pick myself up and move forward with improved photography skills. Not only was I weary from a long day out in the reserves, but my brain was also overwhelmed with information. I found, by the evening, I was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. 

Did I love being out in nature? You bet. Being in the “outback” is thriving for me. I love hearing the lion roar and the hyena laugh. The birds are amazing. Each morning I awoke to the wonderful sounds of exotic birds. The most marvelous sounding birds were often the plainest to observe. 

Our accommodations were top notch and the food was amazing. I have finally come to understand the term “Glamping”. At each camp there was a chef and his assistants. We were served three course meals. Everything I ate was tasty. I did not lose weight on Safari.

The rooms were canvas cabins at the Mara Bush Camp and beautiful hotel room-type accommodations at Saruni Samburu. The Saruni hotel was on top of a cliff and was eco-designed to fit into its environment. Our bathroom had a rock wall in the back of the bathroom. The shower was outside. It was warm and lovely, taking a shower with a gentle wind blowing.

wildebeests Great Migration

The animal activity was amazing. There was nothing missing from this adventure. I saw lions, many, many lions, cheetahs resting and on the hunt, a leopard in a tree with his kill nearby, hyenas, and so much more. And then there were the wildebeests. I was able to witness the river crossings of hundreds upon hundreds of wildebeests. They leaped and ran and swam. The zebras joined then at these river crossing events. Most made it yet some were pulled down for a crocodile’s dinner. The hippos would move out of the way during these crossings and observe. These were definitely worthy National Geographic moments.

Now I have returned state side and am beginning the drive west from New Jersey. Once again Miss Elsie the cat joins me. I have been on the road for about 6 days. I am planning to be back in the southwestern United States by the third week in October. Surgery is pending. I am glad I put this procedure off until fall. I had a wonderful time exploring the magic that is Africa.

A New Adventure in Art

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watercolor painting-The Morning Run

In 1991 I began a study of watercolor art. I loved painting and expanding my horizons in a new direction. It was a totally unexpected exploration. One day I mentioned to Jim, my husband, that it would be fun to take a few watercolor lessons from a mutual friend and dancer, Hannah. Jim bought me my first lessons. I continued to study with Hannah for a year. It took me to places within myself that I never expected to go. Jim, it appears was my muse.

watercolor painting-Exploring Summer

watercolor painting-An Evening Stroll

Although I think about my brushes often, and I carry them with me wherever I wander, since Jim’s death I have very rarely picked up my paint brushes.  I don’t know what makes me hesitate to pick them up. I wonder at times if it is grief or lost of interest or the fact that I know the first several attempts will be feeble at best. It may just have performance anxiety.

My artistic flare has turned to a new direction. I love to take photos. As with my watercolors my photos seem to be eclectic, although my main focus is on nature and those wild places I love to explore. Over the past five years, I have shared several in the posts on this blog.

 

With the encouragement of some of my professional photographer friends I have been putting together a website featuring my photos. I like the line of it. It is clean and simple and easy to navigate. It will be a changing site as I add more photos, delete others and explore how to improve the site and make it better. All the photos are for sale and I am willing to work with special requests.

 

Click on the link below and it will take you to my website

www.jarnoldarts.com

This is the official announcement of my new photographic website, going live. As with this blog, come and explore. The slideshow on the home page is slow to start, be patient and wait. It is worth it.

 

 

Share the site with your friends and family. Offer me your feedback and suggestions. I will consider wisely, all comments.

If you like what you see come back often and explore photography through an artist’s eye.

A Day at White Pocket-Final in a series of three

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White Pocket

There are moments in life, I believe, I will remember and carry forward with me for the rest of my life. Sometimes it is a chance meeting, Jim, or a wonderful movie or play. Often for me it has to do with nature. I love the outdoors. I love the wildness of it, the unpredictability of it. I have been known to stand in storms, watching the wildness of a very restless, big ocean with giant waves. Thunder-storms enthrall me. A perfect fall day, hiking through the woods can ease a restless soul.

When my friend and mentor, Mary and I arrived in Kanab, I was introduced to two good friends of Mary’s, Sky and Bobbie. They opened their driveways to us as well as their home. When camping there is nothing better than taking a nice, long warm shower. Bobbie and Sky were gracious and wonderful hosts. And–they gave me a day of their lives to visit White Pocket.

White Pocket

Mary and I have tried for reservations for “The Wave” several times. It is a place many want to visit for its natural beauty. They allow 20 people to hike in there a day. We were thwarted on each of our attempts to visit it. Sky suggested we visit White Pocket instead. He said that it is larger than the wave and just as beautiful, if not more so.

On a lovely fall morning I joined Mary, Sky and Bobbie for 4-wheel drive to White Pocket. The ride in was bumpy and definitely needed a high clearance vehicle to get to the formations. When I first walked into the area all I could say and think was “WOW”. It seems that this word applies to most of this back country journey into southern Utah, this fall.

A pocket is usually a small area of land, this one is approximately 1 square mile, that is markedly different than the surrounding area. White Pocket is a group of domes and ridges, white and gray being the dominant color. Doesn’t sound too interesting does it? But wait, Mixed in with the predominant color are yellows, reds, oranges and more and it is swirling. This area shows upheaval in geologic time.

Remember you can click on the photos to enlarge them.

For a photographer it is eye-candy, everywhere. Yep, you can take a lot of photos here. The formations are beautiful, amazing and just wow. We climbed up and down being careful of the fragile formations as we explored this area for approximately four hours. Sky was our faithful and great tour guide. I don’t believe we missed much.

Off to the side was a cave with petroglyphs. I love this stuff. I have for years been totally fascinated by the ancient ones of the southwestern United States. I love to sit and imagine what their lives were like many hundreds of years ago. And where did they go? Lots of theories and yet no one knows for sure.

This was a memorable day. It was one more highlight of a three week journey that had many. It was the final highlight for me. I enjoyed the company of the people I was with for this day. I believe that Bobbie and I would be friends if we lived closer. I enjoyed spending time with her in the formations talking of deep and wondrous things. These are my kind of people.

Sky

Bobbie & Cyo (not sure of the spelling)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All too soon we returned to Kanab. The ride back from White Pocket and the Vermillion Cliffs was a beautiful late afternoon ride. The photo-ops continued to occur. The conversation was fun. After spending one more delightful evening with Sky and Bobbie, Mary and I departed. She was heading north and west to Oregon and I was heading east to Durango.

The Drive back to Kanab

Departure was hard for me. I enjoyed the company of the people I traveled with as much as I did the awesomeness of the places I saw. It was hard to say goodby. Teachers come in all forms in my life. People come and go, sometimes for a brief moment and others stay much longer. I can’t thank Mary enough for being a good friend and mentor. Linda, the other travel companion at the beginning of this adventure hopefully will be a life long friend. I can’t thank these two women enough for including me in their adventures and lives. Hopefully we will travel together again. Chance meetings, Bobbie and Sky and Bob in Escalante make me feel so honored and special to have met them and even for an instant, shared their lives, feelings and laughter.

Mary, Linda, Janet

Today I am thankful for September, for the wide open expanses, for the quiet, peace and solitude of the back country.

Today I am thankful for friends.