Motoring Across America

With James "Alex" Alexander

with James "Alex" Alexander



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Blog 403: Labor Day to T-Day

Sorry for the delay! Because of technical issues, a busy schedule, and a dose of laziness, I have been lagging in my blogging. Let’s catch up. Here is a map of our travels since Cripple Creek:

Victor to Ajo

Victor
Seven miles from Cripple Creek is the interesting village of Victor (another old mining town) which we visited over Labor Day. An art fair was going on for all three days of the Labor Day weekend.

Victor Art Show 2

Burro Race
This was my first burro race, and it was a tail-wagger.

Burro Race 2

Burro Race 5

Hope I can see once again one of these days. By the way, if you are interested and are somewhere in the vicinity, the next Burro Race is September 14, 2024.

Toby, that handsome male was looking good.

Handsome Toby

On our way to a nice hike through mining country we passed by bluebirds having snacks. Here is a mountain bluebird with a currant.

Mountain Bluebird with Currant

As we headed out of town for our next stop, we witnessed a cattle round-up—must have been time to find new grazing.

Cattle Round Up

On to Fairplay
Our trip was a very pretty but quite curvy 69 miles with lots of road work. Our slow pace allowed for wonderful views of the mountains of the Mosquito Range.

Typically, the peak of Aspen turning colors in Colorado is the third and fourth week in September at 8,000 to 10,000 feet—we nailed it. We spent a head-turning, jaw-dropping, mouth-wowing week driving up and around five passes all close to Fairplay (Weston, Mosquito, Hoosier, Four Mile, and Boreas). The rocky dirt roads traveled kept our speed mostly at a three-mile-an-hour clip.

Fairplay Boreas Pass 5

Fairplay Boreas Pass 9 Mule Deer

Fairplay Four Mile 12 Pronghorn

Fairplay Hoosier Pass 2

Fairplay Hoosier Pass Sign

Fairplay Mosquito Pass 3

Fairplay Weston Pass 5 with Pups

Fairplay Hoosier Pass 27

Our Scenic Road Trip Process
Our process during our scenic road trips is that Jan drives, I sit in the passenger seat with my camera and lenses at the ready. Toby sits/squirms on my lap, mainly standing on my right leg with his head out of my rolled-down window (unless it is really cold). Jack has the back seat alternating looking out the left and right windows with a mild “woof” now and then depending upon critter sightings. When we see a potential critter photo opportunity, Jan pulls over, stops the car and turns it off, while I grab my camera and hand Toby to Jan and then set up my camera/lens and shoot out the window or exit the car.

Yikes! One time I grabbed my camera and was reaching for Toby but TOO LATE. He was fixated on the up-close mule deer and was leaping out the window. I just caught him by his collar in flight and avoided a mess on the make.

Monument Valley
We continued on I-70 West, stopped at Glenwood Springs, meandered through Grand Junction, and invested some time in Moab country—all scenic places worthy of more time. While staying near Bluff, Utah, I got up before the birds and headed for one of my favorite places on the planet on the Utah/Arizona border—Monument Valley. It is one of those places that you not only see the striking beauty through your eyes, but you feel the power of the settings in your bones. I was (almost) alone 45 minutes before sunrise photographing the monuments before the regular tours began. It was a wonderful morning for photography, with the clouds adding depth and a sense of drama. As I write this, I am ready to return.

Monument Valley 2

Monument Valley 5

Monument Valley B&W

Monument Valley Wild Painterly

Monument Valley

Eclipse
Continuing on through more picturesque settings, we spent a week at Antelope Point. I wish I could say that I planned this, but by accident, we were in the perfect spot to enjoy the eclipse, sitting on our chairs six feet from our coach.

Eclipse Pic

Eclipse Jan and Toby

Grand Canyon North
Jan and I have been fortunate to visit Grand Canyon North a few times. Absolutely magnificent and a must-see if you have not had the opportunity yet. But because it is a little challenging getting there, only a small number of folks visit this destination. We wanted to be among that group. So, leaving crazy early one morning, we took two-and-a-half hours to travel the 130 miles. It was slow going and I had miscalculated and missed the prime photo time of dawn. In addition, during our visit, the light never cooperated for good pics…darn it. Yet, the place is worth every minute of the time spent.

North Grand Canyon

North Grand Canyon 2

North Grand Canyon 3

North Grand Canyon 4

Wow! What a wonderful trip. We are quite lucky folks.

See you next time with more to come.