05.03.21

The last day of our trip before making it all the way home we stopped off at my friend Christine’s place in Boise for a night. It’s the first time I’ve made it out there since she moved, as well as the first time I’ve met her daughter, Ashley. We shot some arrows, played with her pony, and just hung out, which was so fun after such a long time apart.

Most of these photos are of Ashley getting a bath, because really, what’s cuter than a baby in a sink?

05.02.21

Buckskin Gulch Round Two was a success. This was hands down my favorite adventure from the trip, if not ever.

This canyon was magical. The silence was profound. Several times a raven flew down through the canyon, and I could hear each of its feathers rustle the air. Then, more silence. My ears were ringing with it.

Every time I rounded a bend I’d think it couldn’t get better, and then it did. There are approximately a million photos in this post because I just didn’t have the heart to cut any.

Towards the beginning of the slot there was a ladder that was impassible for Norman. Mom stayed behind with him while I went on, but as I wandered through on my own all I could think was that she had to see this. After half an hour or so I turned back to trade places with her, and ran into a man who asked if I was the one with the big black dog. When I said yes, he said he’d showed my mom a scramble that bypassed the ladder, but she thought it might be too steep. I hurried back to find her and together we went up and over. It was steep but doable, and we were able to wander together for the rest of the adventure. I am so grateful to that man.

We could have wandered forever, 13 miles if we wanted, but at some point we had to call it and head back. The hike from the mouth of the canyon back to the car felt much further than it did on the way in. We were tired.

From there we headed further West, the road taking us though Zion. I’d been there as a kid and wasn’t super impressed with it, but I must have been crazy. It’s completely gorgeous and for sure warrants a trip of its own. We were too tired to do anything but stare through the windshield though. I randomly stuck my camera out the window to capture the scenery speeding by, and we joked that those would end up being the best photos from the trip.

05.01.21

After the unproductive hike in the unyielding heat the day before, we decided to do a more drive heavy adventure to Bryce Canyon. It’s another kind of wonderland, full of peaches and cream color and marching soldiers. Someday I’d like to head back there and do some more extensive hiking and a trail ride down into the canyon, but for now, the views from the lookouts were more than enough.

There’s a few people and a heart sprinkled in the following photos, so look close.

On the way back we were graced with the most gorgeous storm light over Lake Powell.

04.30.21

This day ended up being an epic failure in terms of intention versus fruition.

The plan was to hike part of Buckskin Gulch, so we parked at the (oddly empty) trail head and started on our way through the wash. We walked, and we walked. My fancy $35 watch told me we walked nearly three miles, and still there was nothing that could be mistaken for a slot canyon. It was beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but it was not as advertised in my research. If there had been more people Mom would have let me go ahead while she stayed with a miserably hot Norman in the shade, but there was literally no one out there.

I later discovered that if we had gone only a half a mile further we would have found the entrance to the slot. I also discovered that despite our trail head being labeled Buckskin Gulch, the best access was the next trail head, not labeled Buckskin Gulch, four more miles up the road.

What a waste of a day, and we both felt mislead by the information at the trail head. We left Norman in the hotel room with my phone on Facetime in case he was naughty (an unnecessary precaution given he remained nearly comatose with exhaustion from the hike) and had a nice dinner out at the Lake Powell Resort.

04.29.21

The next day was an eventful one. I hiked a couple of miles along the Rim Trail. Mom was a bit too uncomfortable with the sheer drop offs so close to the trail, so she found a bench with a view and hung out there with Norman.

The wind through the canyon has a very different quality to it than normal wind. It was mesmerizing to listen to as I walked.

We drove East along the canyon, stopping frequently at viewpoints along the way. It was gorgeous to be there, but I’m not as enamored with the photos from this day since the light wasn’t great. The contrast between these photos and the day before is testament to why time of day really does matter in photography.

The highway then headed through Navajo country toward Page. It was sad and desolate to see all the once-vibrant roadside stands selling jewelry and pottery empty and falling down. The poverty was very apparent.

It was along this stretch of road (I think) where mom and I caught sight of something huge flying way up, like maybe 50 feet or so in the air. Where it came from and how it got so high we couldn’t figure out, as there were no trucks nearby that looked like something could have flown off. At first it looked like it might be a piece of cardboard, but as we got closer and it started to make its descent it became clear that it was either a sheet of plywood or particle board. It flipped and floated the way a feather might, making it hard to predict what direction it was going to take. The car in front of us swerved, though the board was still high enough that the car easily slipped underneath.

Everything went in slow motion for me. I could see it in my mind, the board crashing through the windshield, and I really thought, this is it. It’s real, and it’s really bad. This is how I’m going to die.

I don’t know how Mom kept her wits about her driving, but she swerved at just the right time and it slapped onto the road behind us.

We still don’t know where the hell that thing came from.

We continued on to Page, and walked the short way out to Horseshoe Bend. Poor Norman seemed like he was about to kick the bucket in the heat, so we didn’t stay long, but I’d love to go back there some day. It’s a surreal place, though quite crowded, and again I was wishing I was there in different light. But alas, not everything can be experienced at the best time of day.

We did, however, explore some of Lake Powell that evening with beautiful golden light, and perhaps my favorite time of day to shoot, blue hour.

04.28.21

We left Tucson to begin the circuitous route home by way of Utah. Following our previous route from 12 years ago, we drove through Sedona to the Grand Canyon, only this time, instead of heading East from there, we planned to continue heading North.

I’m not entirely sure why the only times I’ve visited Sedona have been just passing through it. The place is stunning enough to warrant its own trip, but it wasn’t meant for this trip. We had lunch there, did a quick hike, and were back on the road up through Oak Creek Canyon and to the Grand Canyon.

Oh, the random sideways photo was accidental, but somehow seemed fitting given Sedona’s reputation for being a vortex.

At the Grand Canyon I again had the feeling of being off balance and a bit dizzy. A giant hole that you’re standing on the edge of will do that to you, especially if you’re somewhat (read, very) afraid of heights. But it’s just too good to be bothered by something so trivial as a phobia. I did ask more than several times whether mom had a tight hold on Norman’s leash and whether I should take him myself.

There really are hardly words to describe the insignificant feeling one gets peering into that huge chasm.

04.27.21

While the kids were at school Laura took us to a place called Agua Caliente. In the middle of the desert is a lush former hot spring circled by huge old palms. It is by far my favorite spot in Tucson. Of course, I didn’t bring my big girl camera, so these shots are the best I could do with my iPhone.

We were treated to our second delicious dinner of the visit at my Uncle Tom’s and Aunt Shari’s, and after the regret of not having my camera with me at the first dinner and also at Agua Caliente earlier that day, I brought it along this time. That living room of theirs has light to die for.

Please ignore the quality of some of the other photos - they are more for the memories than to ever be considered art.

04.25.21

This was another fun day just chilling at the house. Our one outing was to a local art fair.

There was lots of playing and some of my favorite shots of Ada to date. She is the most amazing big sister to Luca. I mean, those first two photos…seriously? He’s a lucky kid.

Ada also set up a photoshoot herself that resulted in the last few photos of this post.

04.24.21

This was a chill day. Just a few random images from around the house.

I’m very sad that although we spotted lots of havelinas and a bobcat, I only managed to get a photo of this kangaroo rat, with a photobomb by a quail.

I am not at all sad that we didn’t spot any rattlesnakes or scorpions, so I don’t have any photos of those.

04.23.21

My Uncle Tom was game for picking us up at an ungodly hour to explore Saguaro National Park East at sunrise. The trade off between sleep and yummy light is always, always worth it, though it’s very hard to remember that when the alarm goes off in the pitch black.

We pretty much had the park to ourselves and slowly drove the loop, stopping frequently for photo opportunities. Tom, driving, was every bit as gracious as my mom (who is used to my craziness) about my requests to pull over or back up in random places. Being an artist himself (his medium is video), he gets it.

Anyone who knows me understands my strong preference for neutral colored clothing in photos. Portraits, that is. I want the focus to be on faces and connections between people, not on distracting wardrobes. My thoughtful mom chose her outfit carefully based on this. But landscape photography requires a pop of color to spot a person. Poor mom was so disappointed when I told her she was blending in with her surroundings! Momma, you get all the points for effort.

A quick stop for coffee, and we were off to the San Xavier del Bac Mission. It’s under renovation, so between that and COVID restrictions, access was limited. Still, it’s a stunning place.

04.22.21

Laura took us to check out Sabino Canyon. We missed the tram that takes you way up into the Canyon by about two minutes so we hiked in a bit instead. I didn’t take many photos because at this point I was getting a little worn down by my camera.

It was hot.

Luca agreed.

Check out the flowers on that saguaro in the second photo.

04.21.21

Another coffee-on-the-patio morning with Luca. Then Laura showed us around the botanical gardens in Tucson. So fun to see all the crazy ass desert plants with their different kinds of swords and shields. Everything was in bloom too. Doesn’t that first cactus look like a breaching whale?

Then of course, pool time. The kids are seriously little fish now. I kept saying how strange it looks to see a child as little as Luca swimming around completely independently. Jumping, diving (with a foot flick at the end just like his dad), swimming the length of the pool underwater, going to the bottom of the deep end - I mean, is that normal for a three year old? Who knows, but it’s fun!

Finished the day with books, a pathetic snuggle with Grandma’s foot for poor Norman, who was completely exhausted and bewildered by this point, and an evening walk along the 4th hole, where Ada posted up to see if she could spot any owls.

04.20.21

After Sequoia National Park we had a long day’s drive from Three Rivers to Tucson, with no stops for sightseeing or photos to speak of.

I hadn’t seen my brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew since they moved down to Arizona last August. Crazy how fast kids grow when you take your eyes off them for a second.

It usually takes some time for Ada to get used to my big camera again, so these first days in Tucson are mostly Luca. We quickly found a morning routine where he and I (and sometimes Grandma) would sit out on the patio and chat together when Ada headed off to school. Luca has some great stories about lava, fire ninjas and his friend Calla A. He has some even better snuggles.

Also, a few of these photos were taken by Mr. Luca himself.

04.18.21

Sequoia National Park was our next stop, after spending the night in Three Rivers. The road was quite the engineering feat, climbing to roughly 8,000 feet over roughly 19 miles or so. Switchback after switchback made it impossible to go faster than about 15 miles per hour the whole way.

I often feel a little panicky and short of breath at elevations above 6,000 feet, but this was another level of sick. I don’t know if it was the windy road or gaining so much elevation so quickly, or a combination of both, but at the time I felt like I’d maybe rather be dead than stuck with the headache from hell, nausea and dizziness, so far from a comfortable bed in a dark room.

I managed to snap a few photos, though they don’t do these giant, ancient beings any justice. It’s amazing to try and comprehend that some of them were around well before Christ’s time. It’s mind boggling.

I’d love to go back again, maybe when there’s snow on the ground, and spend more time exploring.

04.17.21

We left our hotel while it was still pitch black, and a little ways outside Monterey our noses told us that we were speeding through a huge eucalyptus grove. It’s one of my favorite smells in the world.

Then, Yosemite.

I don’t know what there is to say about Yosemite that hasn’t already been said, and my photos are taken from the same spots and are of the same spots as a million other photos, both better and worse than these.

And yet. The real thing, the real place, is so much more than any words or images can possibly convey. The sheer enormity of rock faces and waterfalls. Its grandeur. I was reminded of James Cameron’s world of Pandora in Avatar. A fairyland. Even the heart I noticed nestled in the face of El Capitan was plus sized (for those who don’t know this about me, hearts seem pop out at me in everything, from rocks and tree knots to onions and oil stains on shirts).

Yosemite is quite literally a cathedral. I found myself getting pissed at anyone who spoke louder than a whisper. How dare humans enter into such a space with anything less than reverence for it? It seems so tragic to have motorbikes and skateboards, loud conversations and screaming children contaminate the sounds of the valley itself.

04.16.21

Second full day in Monterey.

Mom was pretty exhausted from not sleeping well the night before, so I let her sleep in and took a solo trip out to take in the sunrise near Lovers Point Park. I sat and watched a group of seals lounging on the rocks. They are hilarious animals - so awkward on land, and they choose to nap on the most uncomfortable looking spots. But I suppose they basically have a pillow built into their bodies, so who am I to judge?

I grabbed coffee and breakfast at Tidal Coffee to bring back to the hotel, and then we ventured out again down Highway 1, but this time just a short ways. Dogs are not allowed even in the car at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, so mom kindly hung out with Norman just outside the entrance while I hiked around with my camera. Then we headed down to Garrapata State Park slightly further south, where Norman was allowed on the beach. He had a grand time dodging waves and chasing birds.

We had talked about doing Yosemite on this trip, but ultimately decided against it because it wasn’t really close to our planned route, and it’s near enough to home that we could theoretically see it another time over a weekend. The problem with that idea is I’ve just never gotten around to it.

With the wrench in our original plan to take Highway 1 all the way to Morrow Bay, courtesy of a landslide, mom pitched the idea of adding Yosemite to our itinerary after all. So we went to bed super early, with alarms set for 0400 to make the drive out to arguably the most popular National Park in the world.

04.15.21

Our first full day in Monterey.

We checked out Fort Ord Dunes State Park, then drove the 17 Mile Drive through Pebble Beach, which was honestly the highlight of the day. The coastline there is colorful and inviting, full of texture and wildlife. Mom kept exclaiming over the color of the water, that deep blue contrasting with bright aqua. I hope I’ve captured it to your liking, Momma! It was well worth the 10 bucks we had to pay to be granted access to this multi-billion dollar peninsula.

One question - is Bird Rock that color because of poop?

Then we ventured all the way down through Big Sur, to where the road was closed near Esalen Institute. Mom spent some transformative time at Esalen when she was pregnant with me, so I guess I’d technically been there before. Can’t say I remember it though.

I was unprepared for the uneasy, trapped and off-balance feeling I had exploring this part of the coast. I expected to be wowed by Big Sur, and I was, but just not in the way I’d imagined. It felt untouchable somehow, unwelcoming in its harshness and inaccessibility. I can’t believe some of the houses that cling to the cliffs, just waiting to be claimed by the ocean below. It would not be a relaxing place for me to have a home.

Can you spot the A-frame in one of the photos below?

After returning to solid ground back in Monterey we decided to be fiscally responsible with our 24 hour pass through Pebble Beach and spent sunset there. I geeked out with my tripod and some long exposures.