Collaborative travel journal for lovers of the American West! (page 1 of 41)

Hi everyone!

So, I’m putting into action an idea I had two years ago... I’m inviting anyone who’s interested to help build a beautiful collaborative project—a shared travel journal!!!

The concept: one post =

a photo you’ve taken in the American West that means something to you and your thoughts on that photo or about it: where and when it was taken, the story behind it, why it’s special to you...

Grab your pens!!!! (And I hope this doesn’t flop, but if it does, at least I’ll have tried!!!)

And I’ll kick things off in the next post!

Alright, I'm kicking things off!

My favorite photo is:



Yes, you guessed it—it’s Monument Valley, just at sunrise. It was May 12, 2016. We’d rented a little cabin right across from this breathtaking view... and we had fun taking time-lapse shots at sunset and sunrise! You should’ve seen us—5:30 AM on the terrace, steaming coffee in hand... What an amazing memory!

So, who’s next to follow in my footsteps?

Yellowstone West thumb

Wow, that's amazing! Haven't seen Yellowstone yet—it's on my list!

Hard not to fall into the cliché 😇



But hey, I’ll gladly contribute with this view of Dead Horse Point. ;)

Hard not to fall into the cliché 😇



But hey, I’ll gladly contribute with this view of Dead Horse Point. 😉

Oh wow, that’s absolutely stunning. If it weren’t for the tree (and a bit of grass) and that blue ribbon of the Colorado River in the distance, you’d think you were on Mars.... That’s one of the things that struck me about the American West—you often find yourself thinking, "Wait, where the heck am I right now?"

My turn with Bryce Canyon ;)

great idea.... South Tufa Trail - Mono Lake - California

Hey, wouldn’t these be potash pools instead? Below is the Colorado at Dead Horse Point.



Hard not to fall into the cliché

But hey, I’ll gladly contribute with this view of Dead Horse Point. 😉

Oh yeah, it’s absolutely stunning. And if it weren’t for that tree (and a bit of grass) and that blue ribbon of the Colorado in the distance, you’d think you were on Mars.... It’s one of the things that struck me about the American West—you often find yourself wondering, "What on earth am I looking at?"

Oh yeah, I totally recognize Dead Horse Point now. When I was looking at the previous photo posted by Othellomoto on my smartphone, I didn't see it clearly. On the other hand, I don't know the "potash basins" you mentioned.

My turn with Bryce Canyon ;)

Ah... Bryce Canyon and its incredible rock formations! Another display of nature's genius!

Alright, I’ll join in too. That said, it’s tough to pick just one photo after three trips to this stunning American West. So, I’ve finally decided on this photo taken by my wife Anne while we were having dinner in front of the breathtaking spectacle that is Monument Valley. We’re staying with a Navajo couple for the night—way cheaper than *The View*—and as the sun sets, the butte lights up for a few magical seconds.

Great idea.... South Tufa Trail - Mono Lake - California



What’s absolutely mind-blowing about seeing Mono Lake is realizing you’re standing right inside an ancient volcanic caldera! And then finding a salt lake right at the doorstep of Yosemite....

Oh yeah, now I recognize Dead Horse Point. When I looked at the previous photo posted by Othellomoto on my smartphone, I didn't see it clearly. However, I don't know the "potash ponds" you're mentioning.

Those are the blue ponds you see in the photo. You can observe them from several viewpoints at Dead Horse Point.

Oh yeah, I recognize Dead Horse Point now. When I was looking at the previous photo posted by Othellomoto on my smartphone, I didn’t see it clearly. However, I don’t know the "potash ponds" you mentioned.

Those are the blue basins you can see in the photo. You can spot them from several viewpoints at Dead Horse Point.

Alright, I’ll join in too. That said, it’s tough to pick just one photo after three trips to this stunning American West. So I’ll go with this one taken by my wife Anne while we were having dinner in front of the breathtaking spectacle that is Monument Valley. We’re staying with a Navajo couple for the night, for much less than at The View, and as the sun sets, the butte ignites for a few seconds.



A magical moment—this fleeting instant when everything is still bathed in light... then, in the blink of an eye, the lights fade, and the colors seem to vanish into the twilight before night falls...

Such a great idea, Fabienne! 😉 Okay, but choosing is *such* a dilemma!!! 😄 Needless to say, our road trip was a huge highlight—our best trip to date—and we’ve got tons of unforgettable memories.

If I had to pick just one, I’d say the hike to Corona Arch, between Arches NP and Canyonlands. A long walk in the blazing sun, but the view at the end is absolutely breathtaking. And most of all, it was a real challenge for me since I’m afraid of heights and steep slopes… (yes, it’s a thing 😄). That hike was my chance to face my fears, and it was totally worth it!



And the behind-the-scenes view, showing the path we’d taken from the bottom, near the railroad tracks:

... These are the blue pools you see in the photo. You can spot them from several viewpoints at Dead Horse Point.

Absolutely. I don’t think the Colorado River, with everything it carries, could ever have that blue color.

What blew me away during my short stay in the West was the incredible diversity of landscapes you find over such a short distance.

I wonder if there’s anything like it anywhere else on the planet?

Yellowstone June 2017 Spectacular

Hi there,

One of my favorites:

Smith Rock State Park





Exhausting climb in sweltering heat. Up top, stunning landscapes and absolute peace and quiet.

Great idea for this post!

JL