Advice Needed - Road Trip to Save My Soul - American Southwest in Winter

[HFMarshburnJR]

For a lot of reasons I won't go into here, I am out of the job market. I am planning to re-enter within the next 6 months, but am not realy in a hurry to get back there. In the meantime, I am going to do some things that feed my inner being and that help me fend off the advances of the Zeitgeist. We will call this my mid-life correction of course.

Right after Christmas (I am talking Boxing Day) I plan to set off for the West Coast (LA) to visit a friend of mine for a few days. I plan on spending a week or so to get there - I plan on sticking around that area for 3-5 days, and then spend a week or so getting back to Houston. This will be a driving trip, so options are wide open. It will be just me, an ice chest, a single bag of clothes and all of my camera gear. I intend to get some pictures of some of the Great Southwest scenery in all of it's winter glory. The question that I want to pose is this:

Here are my places that I want to see:

Monument Valley
Grand Canyon
Joshua Tree
Bryce Canyon
Zion

What are your recommendations for destinations? I also want to do some night photography (Star Tracks with cool landscapes, etc.) . I do not imagine that I will be up for any long distance hiking (short walks are not an issue) , and I do not envision doing anything that will put my life in extreme jeopardy. Am not planning on spending a lot of time up in the mountains either. The only real requirement I have is that I am going to have to find internet access on a pretty regular basis so that I can stay in contact with the family and some advisors.

Let me hear your thoughts - even the out of the box thoughts. This is the chance of a lifetime - I don't want to short-change it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

HFM

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

99% of small towns with public libraries have free internet access.

I do know that the North Rim of the Grand Canyon does get closed down for several months every winter.

Since your in the area check out Canyon De Chey
(there is a good thread covering most of your area already discussed-west texas/nm road trip).

[Debbi]

You HAVE to put Antelope Canyon on your list, as well as Lake Powell in Page, AZ. Antelope Canyon is also in Page. It is a very magical, serene place located on Navajo land. You have to use a guide to go to the upper canyon but can find one easily in Page. In the winter, the colors are blue, purple and red. I have attached a pic taken this past summer.



Hope you find what you are looking for in this trip and good luck!

[Silvernic]

Just a couple hours north of Zion you'll find the "Greatest Snow on Earth." A couple of runs down the slopes helps me out all the time. By the way, I hope everything goes well for you!

[Gordon]

I'd consider adding Death Valley into your list too...

[bburton]

Well, if it were me, and I were about to embark on such a journey, I'd shy away from the commonly photographed sites (even though I've not photographed them) and travel the so-called "blue highways," the non-interstate byways, keeping an open mind and a ready camera.

I'd try to find subjects I'd never seen anybody else's pictures of. But, that's just me; maybe not you. In any event, via con Dios, amigo.

My 2 cents and worth every penny of it.

[HFMarshburnJR]

Some good suggestions so far. As you suggested Bruce, I am planning on taking as many of the backroads as I can. I always enjoy the exploration. Some of the iconic sights are still going to show up in my journey because...as much as I have travelled in my life...I have never seen them. My life has been on the interstate and in airplanes through this region for years - but I never really slowed down to take a look. I guess that I want to give that a shot.

A couple of folks have wished me well and hoped that "I found what I was looking for". The sentiments are wonderful and well received, but I don't think of myself as lost. I have just decided to take a break and live a bit!!!

One of my favorite lines from a movie that describes what this adventure is all about comes from the movie (or play) "Mame". It goes like this:

"Life's a banquet ... and most poor SOB's are starving to death!!!"

I am not starving - but I am getting a little hungry. Keep the faith - I will post what I find.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Only reason to take the Interstate on this trip is to get into West Texas and then across some of the mountain passes the rest should be on old state highways. Don't forget that you will be coming across the old fabled Route 66 along the way!

I've found getting a good atlas or two that has a lot of detail and each states issued roadmap (usually free at visitors centers) will help you discover a lot of places.

Now in reguards to what Bruce said 99% of the "major" sites are so large and diverse that you can easily find scenes/angles or have weather conditions that others would not have shot at.

Just be sure that when you get into any canyon overlook, Bryce-Grand-etc, that if you have a trail nearby to where you can get down partly into a canyon DO IT. A trail doesn't mean that you have to go to the bottom-they are 2 way- but going as little as 30-40 ft below the rim can add a whole new perspective to your views of the scene.

Now would be a great time to get into Death Valley since the heat has abbated there.
Here is the thread about west texas and new mexico things to shoot-also includes a bit of Az.
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=32530

[venchka]

I want to go too!

I'm doing this from memory without a map. You can connect the dots anyway you please.

Sante Fe-Durango-Moab-Torrey-Escalante-Cedar City

Major points of interest:

Steam trains in Chama, NM & Durango, CO
Bandelier, Mesa Verde, Canyonlands (both sides of the river), Dead Horse Point, Arches, Capital Reef, Escalante Staircase (?), Bryce, Zion & Cedar Breaks National/State Parks & Monuments.

Bon voyage! Good luck!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Generally the narrow guage railroad trains are shut down, they may have a special Christmas run for a couple days with food service, because of snow and safety during the winter. Now the stations and maybe the roundhouses/repair shops may be open to see the equipment but the trains are not fired up to run.

[venchka]

Shucks! Mental note made. The yard in Chama is worth a stop for sure. You could get up close and personal with the equipment. Used to anyway. Chama is a neat place too.

[Stephen H]

I'd consider a stop by Carlsbad Caverns and Gualupe Mountains National Park. The GMNP is an interesting area even if you don't hike up into the mountains- very desolate land. Or perhaps Big Bend instead.

Once upon a time, I drove over Cajon Pass and stopped and photographed some trains- neat place.

[venchka]

Stephen beat me to it. If you've never been to Big Bend now would be a good time. It's on the way to California.

[pippin]

I just did a trip similar to this.... :D:D:D

Although we had a week, so we went payson az, bryce, arches, antelope canyon with a nice drive back.

But remember, during winter with snows in some areas, there may be some roads (especially some state highways) that may be shut down - snowplowing some areas aren't a high priority - and driving through parts of utah just recently I can see why. There's not much up there.

Much different than driving us and interstates, thats for sure.

[HFMarshburnJR]

Thanks guys...a lot of good ideas here. I will Probably skip Big Bend and GMNP on this journey. The northern route through NM into AZ has always held my fancy. Just a different kind of beauty and one that suits my eye better. I have seen some really good ideas here that I have not considered yet. Keep 'em coming.

HFM