Collaborative travel journal for lovers of the American West! (page 6 of 41)

Ominous ( Avalanche country )



Jean luc, I checked out your site and I can tell I’ll be spending a few hours browsing! Anyway, hats off for that photo. The light in it reminds me of one my husband took in Page, near our hotel. The sun had just set, the lights were already on, and suddenly a huge black cloud rose up like a mustang galloping across the plains...

Hi,

These blue pools have nothing to do with Colorado. They're actually industrial facilities—specifically, settling ponds used in potash mining.

Happy travels.

You were lucky there wasn't a tornado........

I agree with you—there was no one there when we passed through either. For us, Grosvenor Arch is our cathedral.

I’m so jealous right now because I love saguaros and have never—despite multiple visits—been lucky enough to see them "in bloom." Not related, but today I’m remembering a special night at the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone back in 1993. No need to introduce this amazing architecture (I think it’s a historic landmark), but staying there is such a weird experience—the wood feels alive, echoing every sound, the rooms are small but cozy, like a real nest for lovers. Even if you don’t stay overnight, walking through the gorgeous lobby and spotting a moose strolling outside is a bonus.

Hi, I’ve only been to the USA once, in June 2011. The sunrise at Zabriskie Point is worth the effort. At 5 a.m., it was already 35°C, I was exhausted from the heat, and my husband practically dragged me to the car—we left with a jerrycan of water! Once there, we weren’t exactly crowded—just 5 or 6 of us, no more. Fun fact: the day before, we saw a roadrunner zooming across the (watered, unbelievable!) lawn at Furnace Creek Ranch... and nope, no coyote was chasing it!

I’m compiling the responses... @Ducono: Yes! My husband and I wondered if that cloud was going to ruin things. Then we looked around at the locals—saw them going about their business without a care—and decided to trust them. Off we went to the restaurant, nice and easy...

@MaryElectra: Oh, absolutely—we totally agree there are some legendary hotels that are just fantastic!

@BleuVacances

For the record, the day before, we saw a roadrunner zooming across the (watered—unbelievable!) lawn at Furnace Creek Ranch... and nope, no coyote was chasing it!

Your story reminds me of those two super-clever coyotes we ran into in Death Valley. We noticed their little game the first time we drove by, and then again when we passed the same spot a few hours later. Turns out, these two were waiting for cars to approach so they could show up by the roadside. Apparently, they’d figured out how to supplement their diet on the cheap—some tourists stop and toss them food just so they can snap photos at their leisure. A habit I don’t approve of from tourists—wild animals shouldn’t be fed... but I’ve got to admit, those two coyotes were pretty sharp. Anyway, we stopped and took their picture, but when they realized we weren’t tossing them anything, they turned their backs and trotted off to lie down a little farther away—almost like they were rolling their eyes. (I swear I heard them sigh, "Ugh, what cheapskates!")!

We’re not really photography experts. The shots we take with an iPhone are just keepsake photos we share with family, and especially on the forum. This June in 2019, it’ll be Yellowstone...😎 In any case, congratulations on this great idea for sharing, Fabienne.

That coyote in DV had simply made itself at home on the lawn of Furnace Creek Ranch, completely unfazed by the comings and goings around it. A nap is sacred!

Wow! Coyotes begging without fear of getting an anvil dropped on their heads???😉 Thanks for starting this conversation—seeing all the amazing photos from everyone has brought back so many memories. It’s such a great feeling! Like Hiacinthe, I was in awe of the blooming cacti. In June, the desert was in full bloom everywhere, but the creeping cacti (I have no idea what they’re called) covered the ground in patches. You really had to watch where you stepped, both to avoid the spines and the flowers! Okay, we said "ONE photo," but I’m adding a second one. Couldn’t resist.

Hi again, this is such a great idea because it lets people who aren’t great at photography and don’t necessarily post their whole trip online share their favorite moments, emotions, and best memories with other forum members...

So here we go—it’s not the most beautiful photo, nor the most unique, but wow, did we enjoy relaxing in the shade of this majestic tree at Zion Lodge after the Emerald Pools hike! Pure bliss :)

Hi there,

I’ll add my little contribution too.

Since no one’s posted it yet, let’s continue with Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park.



A short morning hike—easy and very accessible.

Left Fork of North Creek

Well, anyway, we stopped and took pictures of them, but when they saw we weren’t throwing them anything, they turned their backs and went to lie down a little farther away—almost scornfully (I think I even heard them sigh, "pffff, what cheapskates those two are!").

No cookies, no photos 😏

You must be relieved with this amazing collection of beautiful photos—no flop in sight for your collaborative travel journal!

one of the rare hikes my lazy girlfriend will actually do!!!

Hello everyone. I’m adding my own response to Fabhyène’s call with two photos of Yellowstone that show two extremes the park offers: - the delicacy of Blue Star Spring (near Old Faithful), - the raw power of the Yellowstone Canyon seen from the trail leading to Point Sublime on the south rim.





What stays in our hearts is the huge stroke of luck—looking back—of perfect weather in the park, and even in August, the joy of having the canyon almost to ourselves (we stayed at the Lodge right nearby). All of this just before the eclipse!

Best, Louis92.

A little encounter on the way out of Yellowstone toward Cody. After searching for bears during my stay in Yellowstone—no luck—we came across one. There were signs: bear danger. Given the scenery, I didn’t think we’d see any, and then we noticed a bunch of cars and a ranger on the side of the road. We turned our heads toward the mountain, and there it was on the other side, in full action—a magical moment where we could truly feel the power of that animal.

Edit: Why isn’t this working?????????? If anyone figures it out😉

Hello Chris,

I’m so jealous right now because I love saguaros and, after several visits, I’ve never had the chance to see them "in bloom"

Bummer :/

I hope you get to see some on a future trip in spring or summer. My photo was taken in July. The night before, there was a violent storm. Maybe that had something to do with the blooming.

Totally unrelated, but today I had a special memory: a night at the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone back in 1993. Everyone knows about its amazing architecture (I think it’s a historic landmark), but staying there is such a weird experience—the wood is so alive, echoing every sound, the rooms are small but cozy, a real nest for lovers. Even if you don’t stay overnight, walking through the stunning lobby and then stepping outside to see a moose strolling by is a treat

Yes, the architecture of that historic hotel is so charming. It really stuck with me the first time I visited. But I’ve never actually stayed there—I slept in a "Cabin" when I spent the night near Old Faithful.

Have a great evening!

Christine

The Colorado from Toroweap Point

Hi Fabienne,

We were so happy when we arrived at "Morning Glory Arch" (or "bridge," I’m not sure), northeast of Moab.

We almost turned back before getting there because we weren’t sure where to go. We managed to find the right path thanks to some Quebecois tourists.

Cheers,

Christine