On the Oregon trail...

What's up everbody??

Greetings from rustic and unknown to me until yesterday, Pendleton, Oregon. I arrived here after about an eight hour drive from Salt Lake City. I had my second opportunity in the last couple of years to pass through Idaho and I was rewarded with many informative roadside billboards about abortion and in a first, a bible passage billboard in Boise that scrolls various bible passages as your drive by. Just not used to that kind of thing.

I'm here in Pendleton mainly because it's a convenient stop over on my way up to Washington. When planning the trip I had eliminated Washington as a destination due to time, but I knocked off a couple days in Utah and I've found enough time to make it to Olympic NP and Mt Ranier NP. More on that later...

The trip is still going strong. I'm sure a few of you have wondered if I'd make it this far, if I'd become bored, homesick, lonely, broke, or run my car to the ground. Well, so far none of that has happened yet. I do get a little lonely, but mother nature always raises my spirits and gives me the drive to keep going. I've seen so much beauty, met so many interesting people, and my beard has grown so out of control that I'm determined to keep going!

Since my last post I've spent time in Arches NP, Canyonlands, the oddly named Dead Horse State Park, and Antelope Island State Park near Salt Lake City. All have blown me away with their scenery and I've already decided that I will return to this area in the next couple years. Photographically, outside of Zion, this section of Utah has been the most exciting to me. Sometimes the views have been so good I've forgotten that I was trying to capture it in photo. There is a reason they call the Southwest the "land of color". The pictures just don't do any of it justice.

Arches is more than just arches it's loaded with all sorts of cool geological formations. Some of the rock looks like human figures, tall buildings, castles, etc. The arches do dominate the scene and really beckon you to photograph them. Here is the turret arch through the north window. This is a classic shot at Arches...

Speaking of classic shots, here is a shot of the Delicate arch. This guy is a pretty much the poster child for Arches. It's a 3 mile round trip to get a close view of this sandstone icon. At sunset, hoardes of people line up to get a picture under the arch. If you are a lucky photographer, you will get a brief moment with the arch on its own...

Some people really take advantage of their 15 seconds (not minutes thankfully) under the arch. This girl did her best impression of an arch...

Hopefully, you can see her in this picture. Those of you at MDT with your 19" screens might have a chance. Otherwise, you will have to wait until I can post a larger shot somewhere...

From Arches I visited Canyonlands (Island in the Sky unit) and Dead Horse State Park. Both parks offer stunning views and really make you realize how really small you are. Here's sunrise from Dead Horse Viewpoint. This view was stunning and made the 5:30 wake up call worth it...

I liked this area so much I went back 2 days later for another go...

I don't know who this idiot was but he wouldn't get out of the picture. All I could think to myself was this guy really needed a shave...what a gray beard!

Canyonlands is an amazing place. I really didn't get to explore it as much as I would like. The weather didn't cooperate either and my shooting attempts fell flat at sunrise and sunset. The views are so awe inspiring that I know I will return during spring or fall. This place is a must visit if you are in the Moab area.

One of my guidebooks gave me directions to a site called the False Kiva. It's not found on any of the park trail maps or brochures. The park keeps it secret so the hoardes won't trample it to death, but if you have the right guidebook you will be in on the secret. It is an ancient Pueblo ruin which offers an amazing view. The ruin is an amazingly peaceful place...

Upon leaving the false Kiva I was greeted by a young Big Horn Sheep...

After a succesful stint at Canyonlands and Dead Horse, I bid southern Utah adieu and headed north to Salt Lake City where I spent last night at Antelope Island State Park. Only a 45 minute drive from SLC, this park is pretty cool. It's the largest island in the Great Salt Lake and reachable via a paved causeway. The island is home to tons of birds, antelope (hence the name), coyotes, jack rabbits, and roaming bison. Here is a youngin for you nature lovers...

and my campsite...just for you Mom...in the background is the Great Salt Lake about 15 minutes after sunset.

Well that about does it for this installment. Tomorrow, I head north to Olympic NP in the northwest section of Washinton state where I will be meeting up with my friends Steve and Vicki for a day or two. Hope all is well in NorCal.

The Wanderer