Bluff Arts Festival

October 22-23 was the annual Bluff Arts Festival. Kate Aitchison and Ann Kramer were two of the featured artists at the Cow Canyon Trading Post. Kate was showing her unique monotype prints, and Ann had a number of pieces made from recycled materials, such as coffee bags, bottles caps, and felted wool from old sweaters.

Bluff's first film fest was held Friday night, including a video about Katie Lee. Well-respected painter Shonto Begay was the festival's keynote speaker. An art walk on Saturday afternoon showed visitors the impressive diversity of artists associated with little Bluff City.

Additionally, art workshops were held each day. I got involved by teaching a digital photo class on Sunday morning. Don't miss next year's art festival. Go to www.bluffutah.org to see what events are coming up.

National Geographic Society

In mid-October, I had the great opportunity to participate in a three-day workshop for photo instructors put on by Lindblad Expeditions and held at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. It's not easy getting about 30 Lindblad staff together in one place at the same time. Some of us have been instructors for years while others were new at teaching photography. But it was a wonderful learning experience for all of us and, of course, lots of fun to see old friends and make new ones.

Gil Grosvenor, chairman of NGS, welcomed us the first morning. A Grosvenor has been involved with the society for more than 120 years...quite a legacy.

Then we began our workshop. I was definitely outnumbered by Mac users, but hey, I can buy several PCs for one Mac. At lunch, we tried to duplicate an historic painting showing the founders of NGS, including Alexander Graham Bell, John Wesley Powell, and C. Hart Merriam. Thanks to Lindblad Costa Rica staff member Willy Alfaro Cervantes for providing the sepia image. Later, we had a tour of the "basement," where a team of young engineers invent various ways to attach cameras to wild animals (critter cams) or vehicles to explore hostile environments, like the sea floor. What a fun job!

After three days, we were designated Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Certified Photographic Instructors. Whew. Sort of a long title, but you can just call me "The Photo Guy".

On the Rainbow Trail

Where does the time go? I have been very negligent in posting to the blog. Summer has been just too much fun.

Recently, we made a llama trek to Rainbow Bridge. We followed the old 1909 Discovery Trail, "pioneered" by trader John Wetherill. I have "pioneered" in quotes because Navajos, Utes, and Paiutes and earlier native Americans had already been to this largest of the world's natural bridges. Also, prospectors were in the area at least by the late 1880s. There is also good evidence that savvy Wetherill had actually scouted out the route during the winter of 1908-09 so that he could be sure to lead his main employer at the time, archaeologist Byran Cummings, to the bridge for the official "discovery" in August of 1909.

Though the bridge can be easily reached by boat on Lake Powell, this trail around the north side of Navajo Mountain remains one of my all time favorites.