For me Sedona is a place of long time mystery and intrigue. It was a stop on my very first trip out west in 2000, where I ate one of the best meals of my life, a vegan chimichanga, while looking out at Snoopy Rock. I can only remember about 7 eating experiences in my life, and that is one of them. A second visit three years ago was all too brief and I could not find that chimichanga restaurant again, and lost my dog’s favorite traveling blanket. A third visit 1.5 years ago was more extended, where I got to drive my own Jeep offroad and over the most challenging obstacle I’ve ever encountered offroad. It was also the height of winter and in contrast to that amazing chimichanga meal, I had an outdoor meal (cannot remember the dish) that was one the coldest experience’s of my life. It was outdoor dining (even before Covid-19) in about 30F temps. It might as well have been 20 below. Still, I look forward to returning to Sedona again soon, this time with my mountain bike to explore the red rock like one only can from such an intimate machine. What are your Sedona experiences? Let me know in the comments below.
It was quite the challenge to capture the sunset at six different rural land real estate properties in Huerfano CountyColorado with only three nights to do so! This resulted in one evening being like the end of the movie Bram Stoker’s Dracula with me actually racing against the sunset to get to the last property in time before the sun disappeared behind the mountains. Unlike in the movie, I did make it before the sunset and got the shots I needed. Without having to race around in a Jeep, you can see all the sunset views made with my signature HDR technique.
Infinite Sand for Infinite Photographs at White Sands
There are some natural wonders that a photographer could live at and basically photograph for the rest of their life. Places like the Grand Canyon are obvious. For New Mexico, there may not be an immediate obvious choice, but to me. the obvious choice is White Sands. I have been there three times and each visit I found something the same, but different to photograph. Then there is the unique, open world construct of White Sands. There are no set paths you have to walk on, no established iconic photo of White Sands, which frees a photographer to wander and find their own iconic view of this expanse of white sand desert, distant mountains, and endless sky.
One of my favorite areas to visit in New Mexico is a very small town in San Juan County called Navajo Dam, which is home to the second largest lake in the state, Navajo Lake. I have been here many times, but this was the first time to find myself on a road on the southern shore of the lake allowing me to make photos with a much different view of the lake and dam and in the distance, the San Juan River also. This was the first time I found myself driving across the top of the dam which is very high up and steep, and with no guard rails! There are stunning views on both sides of the dam, but as the driver you definitely have to stay focused!
Lathrop State Park in Colorado is notable for several reasons. First, it was the first state park in Colorado. Second, it is made up of not one, but two lakes! Martin Lake is for power boats and water skiers, while Horseshoe Lake is for more peaceful ventures like canoeing and kayaking. No matter which lake you choose there are stunning views of Spanish Peaks. The drone’s eye view shows how close these lakes are separated by a narrow strip of land combining for a very unique state park in Colorado! Have you ever been there?
I recently spent a lot of time in view of the Spanish Peaks. Names simply West and East Spanish Peak, you can find them in Huerfano County, Colorado. These photos were made in March, but there is still plenty of snow covering the mountains. The approximately 13,000 feet tall peaks were a constant as I spent four days photographing rural land real estate all over the area. They would certainly be an amazing view framed in a living room window!
If you live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you are living in a pretty unique geographical and topographical setting. To the east, the border is the Sandia Mountains. To the west, the Rio Grande River. Then just beyond the Rio, you will see a few short looking black tips in the desert. If you did not know it, they are actually volcanoes. So in less than 20 miles you have mountains, river, volcanoes. Can you name another place like that?
