Photo: "Glacier Moon Rise"

 
 

Last July, during a boat trip to Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, we anchored in Reid Inlet just before sunrise and ventured ashore to explore the beach around the base of the glacier. 

After returning to the boat and cracking open a few beers, we turned around to discover we were going to end an incredible day watching the full moon rise over the Reid glacier. 

Photo: "In The White Pocket"

I have always loved the landscapes of Utah; around every bend in the road, the rock and sand changes. This area of the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument is no different. 

We arrived here late in the evening, the 4x4 road to get to this spot took longer than we anticipated, just as the sun was setting. We grabbed our gear and ran out to be surrounded by this fascinating landscape. 

We were the only people for miles and it was perfect. 

Photo: "Perseid Meteor Shower"

 
 

Today I'm heading up north towards the Lakes Basin / Sierra City area for 4x4 adventures and camping. It's a beautiful area with lots to see and if we're lucky, we'll nab a campsite right on a lake. 

Last time I was up here, in August, it was during the Perseid Meteor Shower, which was the first time I actually got up for a few hours in the middle of the night to watch the sky. 

Photo: "The Trees Have It"

Joshua Tree National Park is one of my favorite National Park’s for so many reasons. I love the unfamiliar landscape, gorgeous Joshua Trees, big skies and rock formations. 

Last spring, during my most recent visit, the sky was covered in rain clouds shortly before sunset and then the skies opened up and gave us an awesome sky. 

Photo: "Horsehoe Bend Sunset"

I have always been fascinated by the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas with beautiful canyons worn away for thousands of years by the powerful Colorado River.

I photographed this same location over 5 years ago, but this last visit was even more beautiful.

(3-image vertical pano taken back in early January during a end of year road trip around the Pacific Southwest.)