Travel Diary

New Camera for Future Trips

I recently purchased a new camera, the Nikon Z 7, with the Nikkor Z 24-70 f/4 S lens to go with it. I was attracted to this camera, in part because of its light weight, and high image quality. Carrying a full-frame DSLR on various trips around the world has meant carrying a lot of weight, which in this modern age of air travel is getting more and more difficult as airlines downsize their carry on allowance. With this new mirrorless camera, I can can carry much less weight and at the same time, continue using some of my all time favorite lenses. I’m excited to add this and looking forward to being able to travel lighter and more comfortably.

This is a mirrorless 45.7 MP full frame camera, one which feels like a Nikon; a comfortable and old friend (I’ve used Nikon's for many years). The In-Body VR Image Stabilization is a technology I believe will be of great use in photographing interiors and in low light. My first test will be an upcoming trip to Greece. More on this later.

To learn more about the Nikon Z 7: Nikon Z 7 Official Site

I will be reviewing this camera after I return from my upcoming trip to Greece. Stay tuned!!

Preparation for Greece Trip - 2019 (2)

I've begun finalizing plans for my upcoming trip. With the help of Fantasy Travel, I've got what I think is a great trip lined up.

The trip begins with two nights in Athens at the Herodion Hotel, near the famed Acropolis, then off by Ferry to Chora Town, on the island of Naxos for three nights, then to Imerovigli, on the island of Santorini, by Ferry for four nights. The trip ends with a flight back to Athens and then back to Arizona.

Here's what the Herodian says about itself, from its website:

Herodion is situated in the heart of the most elegant and residential blocks of Athens on the doorstep of the new Acropolis Museum. It is surrounded by small art museums, galleries, jewellery museum, cafes and restaurants. Just below the famous pedestrian street of Dionissiou Aeropagitou under the sacred Acropolis cliff, beautiful residential peaceful blocks, old Athenian neoclassical houses hosting the Spanish Embassy, the Finish, Swedish and Norwegian Cultural Institutes. The newly opened National Museum of Contemporary Art comes as new addition in the cultural wealth in the surrounding area of Koukaki.

Preparation for Greece Trip - 2019

I’ve begun preparing to go to Greece in late April/early May. This primarily involves working with the travel agency I’ve chosen and researching on where in Greece I plan to visit. This trip will focus on two islands in the Cyclades chain; Naxos and Santorini. I will also spend a couple of days in Athens, just to begin the trip. Santorini has long been on my bucket list, but it’s also one of the most popular of the islands, so I've decided to balance that out with a few days on Naxos for a more relaxing time.

I don't always use a travel agency, but for this trip I am. I generally will do so if I'm going to a new location, and if I need to be able to concentrate on photography, and not the mechanics of going from place to place.

I've chosen to go with Fantasy Travel for this trip.

Thanksgiving Day Camping Trip - 2018

It’s late November, and time for my annual Thanksgiving camping trip. This year, I’ve chosen a small campground on the Colorado River, part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation area. The weather was expected to be cold at night, but not so cold as to make the trip miserable. I arrived on Wednesday, and immediately setup the trailer (for those who don’t know, I pull a Keystone Bullet Premier 26 RBPR with a 2018 Ram 2500 on these trips).

The day I arrived was a beautiful day, about 60F (down to 40F at night), so I setup and enjoyed sitting in the sun. I spent most of the next morning in camp (Thanksgiving Day), it was quite overcast, although I did make the short walk down to the Colorado River. Later, in the afternoon, after the beautiful afternoon sunlight appeared, I made my first excursion into Lonely Dell Ranch, one of the reasons I decided to come to Lee’s Ferry this year.

Lonely Dell Ranch

This ranch, dating to the 1870s is located along the Paria River. It’s been many years since I last walked and hiked in the Paria, that was at the northern end of the canyon carved by the Paria, and I’d never been to this end of the canyon. So, I was interested to see what I missed by not taking the full hike (3 or 4 days).

I found a beautiful ranch set under the trees, with soaring buttes on one side and sharp cliff face on the other. Next to the ranch was an orchard, still maintained, although it was too late in the year for there to be any fruit on them.

Condors on the Bridge

I went to visit the Navajo Bridge interpretive center along the main road outside the park area. While there, I took a walk over the old bridge and saw about 8 or 10 condors sunning themselves on the new bridge or the ledges next to the bridge. One man, a member of the Peregrine Society, showed me a condor chick through his spotting scope. He said the chick was too young to be tagged, so they were just watching it.

Cave Creek, Arizona

It's time to begin preparing for my next major trip. I've been doing the research and contacting travel agencies. The next trip is scheduled to be Naxos and Santorini in the Cycladic Islands of Greece. Of course, there may be some local trips coming before then.