Workshop and Roadtrip in Utah and Arizona

I signed up for a 5 day Milky Way workshop in Moab, Utah with Ryan Smith and Jerry Patterson from March 14-18th and planned on extending this for a two week road trip to some of the National Parks and major scenic spots throughout Utah and Arizona. What I didn't sign up for was a bout of diverticulitis that I got right before I left Florida. But with gear in hand I made the journey to Utah. I tried my best to muddle through the pain, but when you have to wake at 2 am to be on site for Milky Way at 3 am I must say, my heart was not in it. It was very difficult to be alert and interested when you're feeling sick. The first 2 days were the worst but the antibiotics started kicking in around day 3 just in time for the clouds to move in and disrupt the view of the Milky Way. Ryan and Jerry were great team leaders and stayed positive and always had a Plan B.

After the workshop ended Bobby met me in Moab to start our 1 week road trip thru Northern Arizona and western Utah. Our first stop was Page, Arizona to see the slot canyons and Horseshoe Bend. We made our way to the edge of Horseshoe Bend and it was a bit intimidating since you have to practically hang over the edge of cliff to get the "good shot". That being said, I don't have a photo to show you, but I do have some of the Slot Canyons!

Here's a bit of advice if you're a photographer and want to photograph Upper Antelope Canyon, "Don't waste your money". There are many slot canyons in the area that are just as beautiful but not as popular. We found a canyon called Canyon X. All the slot canyons are on Navajo land and operated by the Navajo Indians. Getting on one of the tours is the only way to see these places and well worth the effort.

Monument Valley, on the way to Page, Arizona.

Bobby and I tried every night to get Milky Way photos but for one reason or another it didn't happen. The one night we had a clear sky we decided to head to Zion for the day. We tried to get the Milky Way that night in Zion after sleeping in the car, but Zion is a canyon that is viewed from the bottom up, not the ideal place to view the Milky Way, at least in the month of March when it's low in the sky. I did manage to get a pano of it over the road above Zion National Park. Not a technically good shot, but one that shows the beauty of the arch of the Milky Way.

After returning home from this wonderful, slept deprived and exhausting quest for the Milky Way, I ended up in the ER a day later due to exhaustion, fatigue and dehydration. Would I do it again, I sure would and I can't wait for the opportunity.