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.

Dreaming of Last Fall

Flagstaff weather is being its typical unsettled, late winter style with sleet and wind today. I got to thinking of our llama trek last October near Bluff, Utah. The autumn colors were fabulous, days warm, nights crisp, and the rock art was spectacular.

I tried a couple of panorama shots, which are quite easy. Set your camera on aperture priority so that the depth of field does not change as the overall exposure might. Take several overlapping pictures of the landscape (using a tripod is handy but the two examples were handheld). Then using Photoshop or another program that has a pano-program, let the computer and software splice them together.

Also, if your camera gear is getting heavier with each passing year, consider having a friendly, fuzzy llama helping you out. E-mail me for more information about these remarkable pack animals, which can carry over 100 pounds. You can take a few camping extras like a bottle of wine!