Travel Diary

Jackson, Wyoming

Without a doubt, this has been a very strange year. The Covid crisis has managed to put all my travel plans into the utmost disarray.

In spite of this, as soon as the stay in place restrictions in Arizona were relaxed, I was back into the planning mode. Looking at my options for short term travel, I realized that both Utah and Wyoming never experienced the types of lock-down Arizona did, and I felt these were probably safe destinations. Shortly before i began this trip some of the National Parks began to open up once again, and it looked like the perfect opportunity to visit Grand Teton National Park, a park which is known for being incredibly crowded at certain times of the year. Arriving in Jackson, Wyoming it was apparent it too had taken the same precautions we in Arizona took.

It was cold and rainy, when I arrived in Jackson, Wyoming, with heavily overcast skies. I checked into my hotel, the Antler Inn in downtown Jackson, then went to see what I could of the mountains. The Teton range was sitting under a heavy cloud cover and all that could be seen were the base of the mountains. Over the years, I've found it best to be at the weathers edge, for landscape photography. Often, you come nothing, but if the conditions turn favorable, the resulting images can be memorable.

Grand Teton range in snow near sunset, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming (Nikon Z7, Nikon 24-70mm f4 S lens)

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Beginning my trip to Jackson, Wyoming with an overnight drive from Phoenix, Arizona to Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, I arrived shortly before sunrise. Despite its name, Bryce Canyon is not a canyon but a collection of giant natural amphitheaters along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Due to its eastern facing slope, it's a perfect location to catch the sunrise.

It was very cold when I arrived, below 30° F (-1 C) and I found myself fumbling with both the tripod and the camera; my fingers just didn't seem to want to work all that well in the cold. I managed to get a few images, and then spent the next 4 hours driving along the park road looking into the various pull outs at the vista before me. From this viewpoint it seems I could see all the way into Arizona, making out the distinctive shape of Navajo mountain in the distance.

Early Morning, Bryce Canyon National Park, Agua Canyon Overlook,, Utah (Nikon Z7, Nikon 50mm f1.8 S lens)

Early Morning, Bryce Canyon National Park, Agua Canyon Overlook,, Utah (Nikon Z7, Nikon 50mm f1.8 S lens)

Tucson, Arizona

In what has become a yearly ritual, I visited the Pima Air and Space Museum and the Old Tucson Studios. I love walking around the old airplanes at the Pima Air and Space Museum, always amazed at the way these old, and sometimes new machine, were built and operated.

I started the day at the Pima Air and Space Museum. After walking through the 5 hangers, looking into the SR-71, old WWII aircraft and everything else!! Then it was time to walk around the airplanes on the lot. There is a wide variety of planes here, all the way from the original Boeing 787 Dreamliner, to old aircraft frames and pieces, passing presidential aircraft and fighters from various eras. I have to admit that my favorite airplane of all times is the Lockheed Constellation ("Connie"). I'm not at all sure why, unless its that sleek design, with its triple tail wings. The museum has several of them, including one used by then General Dwight D. Eisenhower (three of them served as the presidential aircraft for Dwight D. Eisenhower), and my favorite in TWA colors.

Lockheed Constellation ("Connie"), Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, Arizona (Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S)

After leaving Pima Air and Space, it was back to the Old Tucson Studios. Of course, this is not a real "old west" town, but a simple recreation. It started as a movie studio in 1939, featuring some of the biggest names in movies; John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and others. Later it was the home of several television shows, such as The High Chaparral (1967–1971) and Little House on the Prairie. In 1960 Old Tucson became both a film studio and a theme park.

On April 25, 1995, a fire broke out in the studios, where many of the buildings, costumes and memorabilia were lost. The Reno, a steam locomotive from the Virginia and Truckee Railroad on static display in the park, was also badly damaged. The Studio has since been rebuilt and reopened.

Old Reno at Old Tucson Studios, Tucson, Arizona (Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S)

Lubbock, Texas

There is just something about a road trip. I'm on a short trip from Phoenix, Arizona to Austin, Texas. Along the way I've gone over the Continental Divide in New Mexico, packed in snow, fog in Albuquerque and passed the grave of Billy the Kid (you never know what gems you will encounter along the way). My 2018 Ram 2500 just cruised along smoothly, it's surprising such a big truck has a good ride. 

I've begun planning my next major adventure, stay tuned!

Death Valley National Park, California

By mid-morning on the second day of my visit, the rain had stopped, and it became slightly overcast. However, I could see that there was a clearing coming, which provided hope for an afternoon shoot at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (rained out the previous day). I started the day at Badwater Basin (lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level), shooting with the Irix 15mm primarily, looking to get some wide shots of the basin salt formations.

Near the park headquarters is the Harmony Borax Works, which is a historic mining area where Borax was once mined - and home of the famous 20 mule team wagons (one is on display). You get a sense of how lonely and isolated living here must have been at the turn of the 20th century.

The park was very crowded on the second day of my visit. The parking lot at the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes was full, leading to many parking on the main road and walking in. I was able to find a parking spot in the lot, but the dunes were so crowded and torn up with footprints that I took a veer off the main path and headed towards the western end of the dune field, where it was quiet and more isolated (see photo below). After sunset, it was back to the truck and back to the hotel, finishing up my quick visit to Death Valley National Park.

Late Afternoon, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California (Nikon Z7, Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S)