Day 45: First Sunrise at Zion.

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Monday May 15, 2017

  This morning I went to the back of the Museum to take picture of the morning sun hitting the Towers of the Virgin.  This was recommended by the Ranger at the visitor center.  These are pretty awesome rock walls.  I get there early in order to get my choice of position.  I new Randell Hodges group would show up and I was right.  Some were late but everyone showed up.  I would have been alone otherwise.  The class he runs tries to get the picture right in the camera and not to have to worry about post processing.  So everyone in the class has to use filters and manually set the all settings.  I on the other hand set the depth of field and set the exposure compensation.  They are headed to Page Az today, so I should not see them again.

I can't help but think that consistently running into Randell is not just coincidence but something else should come of it.  Maybe I will understand in the future sometime.

Before sunrise




I quickly stopped by Pa'rus Trail at the bridge to see what it looked like:


Then I went to the Pine Creek switchback for some reflection pictures.  I got there too late but took some pictures anyway.  The plan is to go there for morning pictures.



I went back to UTT (Unidentified Travel Trailer) for breakfast with Vicki.  It was bacon and eggs cooked on the outside grill.  It was our first time using that grill.  I took a nap for an hour.

This afternoon I check out Emerald Pools.  Of course, there are a lot of people.





Middle Pool

Middle Pool
Upper Pool - probably can't see it but there is a climbing rope hanging down with a rock tied to it.
This is actually from the Kayenta Trail.
On my way to the middle pool I end up on the Kayenta Trail, which takes you to the Grotto stop.  I finally turn around once I figure out that I am heading down instead of up.  I did get some nice pictures.


Prickly Pear are just starting to bloom.



Next I did the riverside walk that follows the Virgin river, which is the creator of Zion Canyon.  The walk leads to the narrows at the end.  The Narrows is closed because of too much water.  It is very rare for it to be closed this late in the year.  While doing the hike it keeps on drizzling on and off, so I don't spend a lot of time there.

The beginning of the Narrows
Pictures of the riverside walk on the way back to the bus stop.








Places visited:
  • Big Bend National Park
  • Grand Canyon National Park
  • Upper Antelope Canyon
  • Horseshoe Bend
  • Arches National Park
  • Canyonlands National Park
  • Bryce Canyon National Park
  • Zion National Park


Paul and Vicki Kristoff
photo@kristoffs.com
PaulKristoffPhotography.com
paulkristoff.blogspot.com/

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