Shoot XVI - "SW Trek II - Bryce III"

And, the state of the week was Missouri! Can't get anything past Carol, Michelle, or Mike Di as they all knew it was the "Show Me State!" Doris did stop by to comment on the hoodoos.. . .

"Through the Portal"

Finishing up with Bryce, I came across this interesting opening while on the Queen's Garden Trail (yes, it was well traveled). I did have to wait for others to pass or stop or pose before I got my chance to set up for this. For me, there was an air of mystery as to where this portal would lead? Should I tempt fate and walk through it myself? What strange world would be waiting for me on the other side - if there was another side?

I know enough with the drama - the trail continued with lots of people on it and I made it back without complications!

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

Good judgement comes from experience, 

and experience comes from bad judgement. 

                                   ~ Unknown.

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

birthplace of Andy Griffith, Soupy Sales, Roberta Flack,  and Jack Lemmon

birthplace of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

state where Pepsi was invented and first served in 1898.

state that leads the nation in furniture, tobacco, brick, and textile production.

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

My friend's daughter failed her driver’s test. The inspector asked her “what do you do at a red light?” 

She said, “I usually respond to texts, check my emails and Facebook!”

Shoot XVI - "SWTrek II - Bryce II"

And, the state of the week was MD - as Michelle, Mike Di. (partial credit), Elaine, Peyton, Joani, Milt, and Mommy Beth knew. . .

"Along the Navajo Loop"

Traveling solo does have its drawbacks - hiking trails is one of them. I try not to head off into the wilderness on my own unless I see others ahead or behind me. The Navajo Loop was one trail that was crowded! The loop brought me down to the bottom of this small canyon amidst hundreds of hoodoos. Just before this spot, I met a couple from Springfield, MA. We talked about Bryce, our hometowns, and the Red Sox. With frequent stops to set up my tripod, they moved on. This shot had all of the elements of interest for me - a good foreground to lead you to the hoodoo, a well-defined center of interest (the hoodoo), and a beautiful sky with wonderful clouds to accent it.

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

The pessimist complains about the wind; 

the optimist expects it to change; 

the realist adjusts the sails.

 ~ William Arthur Ward.

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

birthplace of Dick van Dyke, Chuck Berry, Mark Twain, G W Carver, Frank and Jesse James,  and Betty Grable!

first successful parachute jump to be made from a moving airplane was made by Captain Berry in 1912.

state tied with Tennessee as the most neighborly state in the union, bordered by 8 states. 

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

  Lord, grant me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, 

the courage to change the things I can, 

and the friends to post my bail when I finally snap! 

Shoot XVI - "SW Trek II - Bryce"

And, the state of the week was Idaho, the Gem State! No, Sarah was not born and bred in Alaska. . .

Well done my little blogging gems - Milt, Peyton, Doris, joani, Michelle, and Elaine.

"Hoodoo Peekaboo!"

I did manage to stop at Bryce National Park in 2013 but I was unable to enter the park and be amazed by these incredibly unique structures, hoodoos! All throughout Bryce, the hoodoos reign supreme. They are everywhere and no other park has these rising-from-the-ground mystical shapes!

"Hoodoo Peekaboo" caught my eye a few hours before this shot was captured. I saw the opening and hoped the setting sun would light it up. I managed to shoot other areas around Bryce Point while keeping an eye on the gap in the rocks. Mother Nature did not disappoint!

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

The difference between genius and stupidity is 
that genius has its limits. 
~ Albert Einstein. 

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

     

birthplace of Babe Ruth, Michael Phelps, David Hasselhoff, Mama Cass, and Noel Paul Stokey

home of America’s oldest airport it was founded by the Wright brothers in 1909.

The first umbrella factory in the U.S.

On September 14, 1975, Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was canonized, becoming the first native-born American to be so honored. Saint Elizabeth Ann formed the religious community the Sisters of Charity. 

(and, being a product of these nuns, we were constantly asked for funds for this unique distinction!)

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

How about a couple of oxymorons to get you thinking?

Act naturally

Found missing

Resident alien

Genuine imitation

Good grief

Same difference

Almost exactly

Sanitary landfill 

Shoot XVI - "SW Trek II - North Rim II"

And, the state of the week was Delaware! So, just what did Dela Ware according to Perry Como?? Chiming in with the correct state were Mike Di., Milt, Michelle, Peyton, and Joani.

She wore a brand NEW JERSEY!

"North Rim Sunset"

Despite the choices I had to post from the North Rim, I came back to the Lodge Overlook for this incredible sunset. Not much to say, other than sit back and enjoy watching Mother Nature perform her light show!

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

Either write something worth reading or 
do something worth writing. 
~ Benjamin Franklin 

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

birthplace of Sarah Palin and actress Lana Turner

birthplace of television since it is Philo T. Farnsworth's hometown. Farnsworth pioneered television technology.

home of the National Old Time Fiddlers Contest.

ghost towns include Silver City, Yankee Fork, Gold Dredge, and the Sierra Silver Mine.

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer.

Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza."

Dave Barry

Shoot 16 - "Southwest Revisited, North Rim"

Anyone else know it was New Jersey without looking it up? I thought so as did Elaine, Carol, Michelle, Mommy Beth, and Joani. Doris did check in without a guess.

I was going to add "The Boss" to the list but that would have made it too easy! Yes, Springstein was born in the Garden State!

(I have added an overview on my website www.joekennedyphotography.com 

of my recent trip to Europe. Check it out. . . )

"Lodge Overlook Sunset"

It's now September of my 2014 shoots and I am headed back to the Southwest to finish what I started in 2013 - the remaining five national parks. When I left you last year, I was at the North Rim for the congressional shutdown so, that's where I started for Trek II.

The North Rim is totally different from the views on the other side. I thought the expanse here was not as wide open as the South Rim. Observation spots are further apart as well. Catching the morning sun at Cape Royal required a forty minute drive in the dark - very dark. While a shorter time allotment was needed for the sunrise at  Point Imperial. Both viewing areas were well worth the drive!

"Lodge Overlook Sunset" was taken a mere five minutes from behind the lodge. The two elements that made this image for me were the colorful sunset and the rain clouds in the distance. This is probably my most favorite sunrise/sunset shot of the entire trip!

Thought for the week. . .

Found these most interesting outlooks on life:

Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better. 
~ Jim Rohn

N i f t y   F i f t y
Here are some interesting facts about one of our fifty states. Do you know which one? This state boasts of being the:

birthplace of Valerie Bertinelli 

(she was the only one of fame to claim this state)

first state to ratify the United States constitution

only state without any National Park System units such as national parks, seashores, historic sites, battlefields, memorials, and monuments.

Lady Bug is official state bug    

Leaving you with a smile, I hope. . .

IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, 
YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM!