July 2014
Blog 202: Grand Canyon West
Sunday morning Austie and Auntie accompanied Jan and me as we flew from Denver to Las Vegas. Here we rented a Jeep and drove the 121 desert miles to Grand Canyon West in Arizona. Here is a pic from a scenic view stop along the way.
Grand Canyon West obviously is a part of the Grand Canyon, but not a part of the national park. It is owned and managed by the Hualapai (pronounced WALL-uh-pie) tribe.
Hualapai Ranch
We stayed for two nights on the property, based out of cabins directly on the Hualapai Ranch. Here is a view of the cabins at dawn (that’s my shadow), a shot of the sunrise, and a view from the cabins.
The ranch is a replica of an Old West town, complete with jail, gallows, saloon, general store, and more. Cowboys direct the activities, such as fast-draw contests, roping, arrow shooting, horseback riding, chuck wagon rides, and bonfires. Short on help, with busloads of rowdy Chinese converging on the ranch, the sheriff deputized Austie to help keep things in control. Over two days he stared down would-be troublemakers, showed strangers card tricks to keep them calm, and pulled his gun more times than I can count. He helped lock up several strangers, plus Jan and me, and helped to hang Auntie. He was one busy hombre. Here are some pics of Austie in action.
Here is a pic of the ranch chuck wagon plus a crusty old cowboy.
Grand Canyon Skywalk
The four of us experienced the Grand Canyon Skywalk, strolling at 4,000 feet suspended by glass and steel with a great view below your feet of the canyon floor. No personal cameras allowed, but here is a pic taken of us by the on-duty photog, plus a stock photo to give you a better feel for the place.
Guano Point
Another pretty stop at Grand Canyon West is Guano Point. Here is a shot of the head bird, plus a scenic view.
Helicopter-Float Trip
To end our visit to Grand Canyon West, we took a helicopter ride over and through the canyon, and then landed down by the Colorado River. Here we took a float trip on the canyon floor before flying back out via chopper. My pics did not do this wonderful excursion justice.
A return drive and flight, and it was back to Denver.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here is one old sign from Colorado.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Grand Canyon West obviously is a part of the Grand Canyon, but not a part of the national park. It is owned and managed by the Hualapai (pronounced WALL-uh-pie) tribe.
Hualapai Ranch
We stayed for two nights on the property, based out of cabins directly on the Hualapai Ranch. Here is a view of the cabins at dawn (that’s my shadow), a shot of the sunrise, and a view from the cabins.
The ranch is a replica of an Old West town, complete with jail, gallows, saloon, general store, and more. Cowboys direct the activities, such as fast-draw contests, roping, arrow shooting, horseback riding, chuck wagon rides, and bonfires. Short on help, with busloads of rowdy Chinese converging on the ranch, the sheriff deputized Austie to help keep things in control. Over two days he stared down would-be troublemakers, showed strangers card tricks to keep them calm, and pulled his gun more times than I can count. He helped lock up several strangers, plus Jan and me, and helped to hang Auntie. He was one busy hombre. Here are some pics of Austie in action.
Here is a pic of the ranch chuck wagon plus a crusty old cowboy.
Grand Canyon Skywalk
The four of us experienced the Grand Canyon Skywalk, strolling at 4,000 feet suspended by glass and steel with a great view below your feet of the canyon floor. No personal cameras allowed, but here is a pic taken of us by the on-duty photog, plus a stock photo to give you a better feel for the place.
Guano Point
Another pretty stop at Grand Canyon West is Guano Point. Here is a shot of the head bird, plus a scenic view.
Helicopter-Float Trip
To end our visit to Grand Canyon West, we took a helicopter ride over and through the canyon, and then landed down by the Colorado River. Here we took a float trip on the canyon floor before flying back out via chopper. My pics did not do this wonderful excursion justice.
A return drive and flight, and it was back to Denver.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here is one old sign from Colorado.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Blog 201: Meadow Morning
Meadow Morning
Jan and I took off early Saturday morning to a nearby open space for a stroll through a woods and meadow. Colors leaped from the ground in the form of flowers and other flora.
Mini-Family Reunion
Twenty or so family with a few close friends spent the afternoon enjoying a warm Colorado day chatting and eating, running and playing.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here is one old sign from Colorado.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Jan and I took off early Saturday morning to a nearby open space for a stroll through a woods and meadow. Colors leaped from the ground in the form of flowers and other flora.
Mini-Family Reunion
Twenty or so family with a few close friends spent the afternoon enjoying a warm Colorado day chatting and eating, running and playing.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here is one old sign from Colorado.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Blog 200: Tokyo-Seven-Bravo
Last week I was a slacker in taking photos, so I had some fun and found a shot that Jan took of Mitzy and me on her iPhone, plus I made a few comics out of earlier photos—see what you think.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are a couple of old signs from Colorado.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are a couple of old signs from Colorado.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Blog 199: Quick Trip to Shanghai
I had business in Shanghai, a city of 22 million, combining a blend of an ancient culture overlaid by modern construction and influenced by Western thought. Here is a view from my room.
Going to Work
Many workers cannot afford to own automobiles and therefore rely on public transportation and motorbikes to get to work. Alas, we were in the rainy season, requiring protective water garb of all sorts for those transporting via two wheels.
Chinese Truck Drivers
I was hoping to find some old trucks to shoot (and I am sure there are many outstanding ones). However, for this trip, I settled for shots of Chinese truck drivers…all taken from the backseat of automobiles varying in speed from almost standstill to about 100 kilometers per hour.
On the Waterfront
Here is one shot of the impressive Shanghai waterfront.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are a couple of old signs from Colorado.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Going to Work
Many workers cannot afford to own automobiles and therefore rely on public transportation and motorbikes to get to work. Alas, we were in the rainy season, requiring protective water garb of all sorts for those transporting via two wheels.
Chinese Truck Drivers
I was hoping to find some old trucks to shoot (and I am sure there are many outstanding ones). However, for this trip, I settled for shots of Chinese truck drivers…all taken from the backseat of automobiles varying in speed from almost standstill to about 100 kilometers per hour.
On the Waterfront
Here is one shot of the impressive Shanghai waterfront.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are a couple of old signs from Colorado.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.