Sunrise – The Long West Coast Summer Trip.

Someone is excited to go to Arches.

Wide awake at 4:30 AM, in the car 10 minutes later , even Beau didn’t wake for a pee or a bone! 4:45 enter Arches National Park, not the first one ???? 5 other early risers shone their headlights on a steep uphill road. No ranger was up this early and it was clear roads ahead into the park. What to expect, I like to be surprised and not study the areas we go to, in depth. Yes I might miss some things , but for me to be surprised is half the fun. Of course I’ve seen the classic pictures of the wide Arch spanning it seems , many hundreds of feet ,with an eternal sunrise or sunset shining through it . What a shot that would be. Better to go into it fresh without ideas of shots already taken. Hard enough to get a few originals, most shots have been taken thousands of times in one way or another . I can’t wait what Arches will show me .

Very disappointed that this park again was made up of a bunch of Hollywood backdrops. This just can’t be real , moonlight illuminating the towering red rocks , don’t think so. Vista’s right out of Rawhide , great painting !! Is that John Wayne on his horse infront of a stove pipe rock , looking mellow but dangerous

I DON’T THINK SO ……?

All joking aside , it was so much better then I had ever imagined , wouldn’t it be nice to share this with Mother , Brother and friends. Well ….. modern tecnology to the rescue . Quick facetime call with Holland and mama and brother joined the rising sun at Arches . What a treat !!

Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah, USA. It is known for its stunning natural arches, spires, fins, and balanced rocks. The park covers an area of over 76,000 acres and includes over 2,000 natural sandstone arches.

The park owes its unique landscape to geological processes that started around 300 million years ago. The region was once covered by an ancient sea, and over time, layers of salt deposited in the area. As the sea evaporated, the salt deposits were buried under layers of sediment.

Around 65 million years ago, the uplift of the Rocky Mountains and the tectonic activity in the region caused the overlying rock layers to buckle and shift. This movement, combined with erosion from water and wind, carved out the landscape that we see today, creating the spectacular arches and rock formations.

Arches National Park was designated a national monument in 1929 and then established as a national park in 1971. The park’s unique geological features and natural beauty attract visitors from around the world, making it a popular destination for hiking, photography, and nature appreciation.

Red Rock Canyon

When in Vegas its hard to zoom out and look at this tiny speck in the desert with all its lights , excesses and glitter, incredible talent, self importance and sadness as anything but all there is in Nevada. But …. drive 20 minutes west and start your driving , biking, climbing and hiking loop in Red Rock Canyon Conservation area. After showing your National Park Pass you enter the rocky desert with towering mountain facades, perfect for rock climbing and spectacular photos. Dry but colorfull bushes , so different from anything out east, cover the bone dry desert floor. Parched riverbeds waiting for much needed rain. Tortoises, rabbits, Burros and wild horses are roaming fast and real slow. arriving at 6:30 the sun is just over the hills and lights up the place. Gorgeous and worth the early wake up. Its quiet in the park and I’m first with some brave and strong bikers overtaking me on the down hill. After the 15 mile loop and many stops I find the metropolis of “Blue Diamond”

Blue Diamond,

Elevation………………….High

Occupants………………..Few

Burro’s………………..?

Now this town has a Post Office, sherrifs office in the convenience store and , no kidding the best breakfast place within 200 miles.

Coffee and avocado toast for breakfast , homemade everything , to die for!

Back to the RV, as the sun keeps on rising so does the temperature , 108 today . inside from 10-4 .

Yuca

sky

Self portrait

What else is there to do in Vegas but shelter from the heat???

O… there are the casino’s, shows, magicians, lights, ferris wheel and incredible shopping , if you have the big bucks !

Thats For the next one!

Gator Hunting , with a camera!

Loop Road, Big Cypress State park, Everglades, Florida

A 20 mile dirt road leads through the unspoiled part of Big Cypress, Aligators sunning on the side of the road, statues maybe. sure feels like it untill you get too close. They are fast, not agressive, thats us trying to get too close !

The Everglades today is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, a variety of bird species such as herons, egrets, and the rare snail kite, as well as the endangered Florida panther. Visitors can also spot dolphins, manatees, and a rich tapestry of marine life in the waters surrounding this unique ecosystem. The Everglades continues to be a haven for nature enthusiasts seeking to observe an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat.

A relaxing couple of hours with Captain”I was born here” to navigate the Baron River and get a glimpse of the thousand Islands wildlife refuge. Many dolphins, great calm water and mangrove islands. A great place to get lost in !

Everglades City, located in Collier County, Florida, has a rich and varied history. The area was originally inhabited by the Calusa Native American tribe, who thrived in the region’s abundant natural resources. In the late 1800s, the town was established and became a hub for the Southwest Florida’s frontier.

It played a significant role in the construction of the Tamiami Trail, which was completed in 1928, connecting Tampa to Miami and opening up the Everglades region for development. During the early to mid-20th century, Everglades City was a thriving hub for the fishing and stone crab industries.

Notably, the city also gained notoriety as a center for the illegal activities of the infamous “Outlaws” during the 1970s, including smuggling and drug operations.

The rich history of Everglades City is interwoven with the unique ecosystem of the Everglades, making it a compelling destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Back Tomorrow.