It seems like a lifetime ago now, but a few years ago I was driving bus for a tour group from Monument Valley back to Page, Arizona for the night. Along the way, we stopped to take photos of the sunset, and much to my surprise, we were greeted by a dragon (or so it seemed). Sometimes the cloud formations inspire, treat and completely take us by surprise. This was such an occasion. It was a memorable trip, and the friends I made along the way was worth it. Beware the dragon….
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the world famous Antelope Canyon in Arizona. It is just outside of Page, Arizona, and it’s managed by the Navajo Tribe as a Tribal Park. There is a fee to enter the canyon and you are required to have a guide to go into the canyon. Tripods are not allowed, and it’s always full of people. Sometimes you get lucky and find an angle that doesn’t have people in it, and maybe enough light that the photo you’re taking isn’t blurry. It’s a wonderful place, but it is getting a bit too popular and the number of people that can go in at a time is getting restricted.
In the image below, I was amazed to see what looks like a face in the stone that looks like its yearning to leave the canyon and look over the top. There is a look of frustration and sadness on the face that realizes it will never be able to get out of the canyon.
This image is available for purchase at ArtPal.
Enjoy
A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to spend a week at the Grand Canyon South Rim. After work, I took the time to visit my old stomping grounds. I worked at the South Rim several years ago, and it was awesome to see the Grand Canyon again. This was during the late winter, or early spring, and I decided to walk the Rim Trail near the Bright Angel Lodge to catch sunset. I was happy to see the Canyon in all its spleandor. This image is available for purchase on ArtPal.
Enjoy
A couple of weeks ago, I took the opportunity to attend a hot air balloon festival at Sand Hollow Resort in Hurricane, Utah. The balloons were amazing. It was the first time I’ve been able to attend such an event since 1999. I had forgotten how amazing the balloons are. I love how this image shows most of the balloons rising up together. A few balloons ascended earlier than the main group. I do have many more images of these balloons, so stay tuned…
This image is available for purchase at ArtPal.
Enjoy
Cedar Breaks National Monument is a spectacular place to visit, but it is only accessable in the summer months. It sits on Cedar Mountain at an elevation of 10,000 feet above sea level. It’s about 30 miles east of Cedar City Utah, home of the world famous Utah Shakespeare Festival.
I have always enjoyed my visits to Cedar Breaks over the years. The views are amazing and the air is always fresh. In mid-summer there is a wild flower festival there, and it’s also designated a Dark Sky location. The views of the stars at night are out of this world. I have many photos of this amazing place and hope to share some more soon. This image is available for purchase at my ArtPal store.
Enjoy,
Kelly
Back in my tour driving days, I used to wait at Goulding’s Trading Post, just north of Monument Valley, for my tour group to return from their guided tour of Monument Valley. I had many opportunities to enjoy the sunset there. On one such trip, I captured this image. I love how the light and shadows play on the peaks.
This image is available for purchase on my ArtPal site.
Enjoy,
Kelly
I took this on my way to work last week. These are the Towers and Temples of the Virgin.
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park on the border of Utah and Arizona. At the time, I was a tour guide and brought two wonderful couples from Germany here and was able to join them as translator. During the tour, we stopped at John Ford’s Point overlook. There was a Navajo gentleman who rode his horse out to John Ford’s Point and waved his hat for the tour groups that visited the Valley.
John Ford’s Point got its name from the movie director John Ford as a tribute to him for bringing Monument Valley to life on the Big Screen. Mr. Ford filmed several movies in Monument Valley, including John Wayne’s famous She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. The ending of The Code Talkers was also filmed on this point.
The history of this valley and area is vast and deep, and there is no way I could ever do it justice. I will just say that it is an amazing place that should be visited and hallowed as sacred ground.
Enjoy,
Kelly
Last week, I hiked along the Middle Emerald Pools Trail. This trail has been closed since the trail head was washed out in a flood in 2010. It was reopened last September after years of repairs and stabilization work in the trailhead area. It was close to sunset when I captured this image of the Virgin River looking towards The Great White Throne. This is also part of the Weekend Sky challenge .
This image is available as a print on Art Pal: Virgin River
Enjoy!
Today, I decided to go back a couple of years to re-visit Valley of Fire State Park, in Nevada, or, as my friends call it, Veridian III. It was here that the ending of Star Trek: Generations was filmed. It’s an amazing place with a lot of history and gorgeous vistas.
Enjoy,
Kelly
Kelly Guymon Photography 