Travel Diary

St. George, Utah

I made a quick trip to St. George, Utah for a personal meeting. Leaving very early on Saturday morning, I took the quickest route; via Wickenburg and Las Vegas up I-15 (about 400 miles one way). It had been many years since I've been through the Arizona strip (where I-15 crosses from Nevada through Arizona into Utah). The roadway winds it's way through a canyon as it follows the Virgin River. It's hard to see much while driving, but I was able to make a number of observations as I drove. This is one of the most fantastic scenes I've seen in many years. The Virgin River is stunning as it winds it's way through. I will need to return again, perhaps next year.

After departing St. George early Sunday morning, I decided to go through Zion National Park on the way home. Despite how late in the year it is, the park was still quite crowded. The scenic drive into the valley was closed and there was no shuttle service (necessitating a long walk for those who wanted to see it); I didn't see any indication of anything to help those who aren't able to make the walk. There was almost no parking anywhere along the roadway. This is becoming more the case in the US National Park system and why I rarely visit them anymore.

Early Morning along the Virgin River, outside the entrance to Zion National Park, Utah (Nikon Z7, Nikkor 24-70mm f4 S)

Roadway as it winds through Zion National Park, Utah (Nikon Z7, Nikkor 24-70mm f4 S)

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona

In what has become a yearly ritual for me, I'm on the road again over the Thanksgiving holiday. Once again, I'm back at Lee's Ferry at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona. This has always been a favorite spot for me. I particularly love the solitude of the Lonely Dell Ranch area. I can imagine the people who homesteaded in this bleak environment, eking out a living in a dry land, raising fruit trees through hand irrigation. The outlet of the Paria River into the Colorado River is not far from the Ranch property.

Late Afternoon Sun at Lonely Dell Ranch, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona (Nikon Z7, Nikkor 24-70mm f4 S)

Cave Creek, Arizona

Even though we are still pretty much locked down when it comes to travelling, I still find travel planning to be an enjoyable task. Domestic travel is at about 40% of what it was last year, but international travel is almost at a standstill, with many countries that I would love to travel to, like Germany, still closed to visitors. Still, I can always look towards the future with hope and plan accordingly.

During my research I came across the following cities (some I was familiar with and some are new to me):

Glückstadt, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Dresden, Saxony, Germany

I briefly passed through Dresden a few years ago and discovered that this was a city I felt that I needed to visit and explore more in depth.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Naxos, Greece

Tucson, Arizona

Late Afternoon, Sonoran Desert at Saguaro National Park, Arizona (Nikon Z7, Nikkor 85mm f1.8 S)

It's obvious that the season is beginning to change here in Tucson, Arizona. While it's still hot in the afternoon, about 100F (38C), the nighttime temperatures are much cooler, in the mid to upper 60s F (18C). I've visited Tucson many times in the past, but never based myself here. I'm here for a 10 day visit and will be spending time looking around and seeing what I may find.

I'm at Signal Hill in Saguaro National Park looking at the petroglyphs. I always wonder about the people who must have made them; perhaps they were inspired by the view of the desert below. In spite of the warmth, there is a peacefulness here, as there always is in the heat of the day in the desert.

Ridgeway, Colorado

The Aspens are magnificent in their gold and green finery; it's their way of welcoming the coming of winter. I love the stands of aspens that are native to this area. While, it's been several years since I last visited this area, hopefully, it won't take me so long to return.

I'm sitting in my truck waiting for the sun to sink a little lower in the sky, to take away some of the harsh light. There is a nice breeze, although occasionally it subsides and I can feel the warmth of the sun. Still, it's peaceful with nothing but the sound of the wind through the trees.

This is just a quick, one day trip for me. After the blazing summer, I feel the need for green trees and cool days. Next week, I'm in Tucson, so I won't be getting either there.

 Late afternoon, fall colors along CO 62, near Ridgeway, Colorado (Nikon Z7, Nikkor 24-70 f4 S)