On Day 13, we packed up and left the spectacular Monument Valley behind.
I recalled from my last trip to Moab, nearly 20 years ago, that it wuzz right sum purdy. The closer we got, the more I began to think that this was one of those times when memory out-strips reality. Y’know, like how everything just seemed bigger when you were a kid. I was just thinking that maybe I shouldn’t have made such a big deal out of coming here when…WHAM! We came upon this just sorta hanging out beside the road:
After doing a wee bit of research, I’ve learned that this is called Church Rock, and that little thing on the bottom that looks like a door, is a man-made hole. Yep, some genius spotted this giant ROCK and thought it might be a really cool idea to burrow into it. The aforementioned genius only got about three feet in before realizing the error of his ways. I guess there was nobody handy to eye-roll him and say, “Hellooooo, it’s a ROCK, ya doof!”
A bit further down the road, we came upon this (the arch, the car etc. we brought with us):
You can always spot one of Bob’s photogs. He runs out into traffic so he can get his (cue angels) trailer into the picture. That insignificant thing in the background is called Wilson Arch because some schmoe named (you guessed it) Wilson once lived next to it. That was his big claim to fame (that he didn’t live long enough to know about).
So, my big plan was to just do a photog blowout for the Moab Days, but this particular area of the world is a little overwhelming from a scenery standpoint (to say the least!) that I have over a thousand photogs to go through. Choosing a couple for a blog became an ordeal. Choosing a couple of hundred for a blog is a no-brainer. Without even scratching the surface, here are a few (to keep me from getting glared at) for now:
I was tempted to dumb that sky down a bit so it didn’t look so fake. Blame it on my polarizer 😛
And last, but least, this is a shot of one of the arches we saw in (of all places) Arches National Monument:
Am I the only one who thought that this needed to be done?
Haha…”right sum purdy” seems the perfect descriptor for all these pix!
🙂
Thanks, Mikalee 🙂
WOW indeed! Awesome photos!
Thanks, zoetic 😀
Loved the last one… spectacular! 🙂
If only Mother Nature had my sense of humour, eh? 😛
Great photos!! I love the last photo haha, it definitely needed to be done!! Your travels look fantastic, what a great adventure
Some things just cry out for a tweak! 🙂
Awsome Pics! Congratulations and thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thanks, carob, and you’re very welcome 🙂
cute. we (my evile gang ‘n me) have considered (alas, haven’t got past the considerin’) axually dewwin’ stuff like that. my wife, Betty, wants to drop a HUGE black spider from above to block the tunnell on the Colorawdough Nashunull Monument. i envision having people with, say, big sombreros and serapes foreground with “mexican hat” pillars background. or people with big hawaiin straw hats ‘n flowery shirts ‘n shorts “surf” pose atop rocks which stick out over the canyawn’s edge into space.
thanks for the chuckle, tho’.
And thanks right back for the chuckle in return 🙂
Reblogged this on Makais Blog and commented:
love that airstream trailer
Thanks, makais. The trailer could sure do with a bigger bathroom! But, otherwise, it’s comfy enough. 🙂
wow so amazing cool, I like it.
Thanks, mediss 🙂
Beautiful photos. Love the last one : )
Thanks, Carlie 🙂
We must be kindred spirits.
Utah is my playground, and we bought a trailer last year (affectionately named Betty).
I’m the one who likes to get photos that include Betty in them (risking being hit by cars occasionally).
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Check me out at theusualbliss.com sometime!
Thanks, Bliss. I think we ARE kindred spirits! I was thinking of getting Bob a nice helmet with a flashing light on top for when he does this. Do you have one? 🙂
No, but clearly I must find one, too! Maybe one that makes a noise of some kind, as well. 🙂
Been there too. Absolutely gorgeous. Great pics. Thank you.
My great pleasure 🙂
Awesome photos. We are actually planning on visiting Utah sometime this year or spring next year. Never been there….
You are gonna LOVE it!! 🙂
Amazing ! Thumbs up for the last picture 🙂
Haha! Thanks, vandy! It’s my favourite 🙂
Nice photos! What amazed me is that long time ago, all of this was the bottom of an ocean!
Hard to believe, isn’t it? It’s soooo dry now!
beautiful pics…
Thank ya kindly! 🙂
Beautiful!, beautiful!
Thank you, thank you! 🙂
Wow..I’ve always wanted to visit this part of the country.
If you ever get the chance, go for it! You won’t regret it! 🙂
Great photos and brilliant architecture!
It’s such a gorgeous area! 🙂
Great pix and congrats on your freshly pressed!
Thanks, Richard. As a newbie to this site, I had no idea what “freshly pressed” meant…until my email account was overwhelmed. What a shocker that was! I thought the pipes had burst! 🙂
Reminds me of Airwolf!
Some similar scenery for sure! 🙂
Those are great photos. I love the sunglasses on the big rock!
Thanks, Nicole! They should never have let me have photoshop! 🙂
Awesome clicks 🙂
Thanks, Dinesh! 🙂
Amazing photography! Love your images.
Thank you, Newf! A fellow Canuck! 🙂
Great fun looking at these! Amazing beauties. Seems like you are living the life!
In small doses, we sure are, Cynthia! Thanks! 🙂
So fun. Thanks for the Monday smiles. Congrats on fp! Great post! I am still smiling.
Thanks, wynne! 🙂
What a gorgeous trip! Great photos and love the last one 😉 Very creative. You def have a well earned spot on freshly pressed, good on you! all the best. Cheers Carolinebakker.com
Thank you, Caroline. All the best to you too 🙂
Wonderful – thanks for sharing! And I didn’t even see that face until the second photo… now when i look back i don’t know how i missed it.
My first thought was, “We need some googly eyes on this one…” Then, in view of the scorching sun that say, the shades seemed more appropriate 🙂
Incredible! And the glasses are exactly what was missing!
My evil twin wanted to put some tufts of hair on it too, but I told her to shush 🙂
Reblogged this on Voices and Visions.
Thanks, Sharon 🙂
As someone who is looking to get down that way later this year to do some photography, is there any other areas that you’d recommend checking out?
(Congrats on being freshly pressed as well!)
Hi Joel! I think you’ll find when you get there that the whole area is pretty jaw-dropping. Arches National Monument is spectacular (go early in the morning or just before sunset). We also loved Valley of the Gods, Natural Bridges National Monument, Monument Valley, and, of course, the Grand Canyon. Such an amazing area! I wish we’d had more time! 🙂
Great photos – thanks for sharing! Congrats on being FP!
Thanks! 🙂
I love Monument valley… Great Pictures. Thanks for the post…
Thanks, Rambler! It’s such a show-stopping area!
I’ve been there twice. The first time was by car. The second was on my motorcycle in September 2012. It was an amazing ride. The picture at the top of my blog was from that trip. The story is at
http://texasrambler.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/million-dollar-highway-trip-september-2010/
Terrific photographs all around. But the sunglasses are a touch of abolute genius!!!
Now, go ahead and post several hundred of the rest of the thousand. We don’t mind at all.
Thanks, hangin! Don’t tell me that! I might just do it! 😛
Wow, what a beautiful landscape.
Such an amazing place to visit 🙂
u got great pictures in here!
congrats!
Thanks, Juliano! 🙂
u got great pics in here!
congrats!
Nice snaps. Great place to visit. Try Bryce next.
Will do, thanks!
Amazing….
I can’t get over the amazing colours in your photographs!
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
Thanks, lijiujiu 🙂
Hahaha. I enjoy looking for rock formations that look like faces!
It’s almost like finding shapes in the clouds 🙂
Hey, your last photo is priceless. Congratulations for being freshly pressed!
Thanks, rose 🙂
Thank you that was extremely intriguing.
Thanks, diana 🙂
Great last picture! XD
🙂 Thanks!
yes you are!
LOL…
LOL!! 🙂
impressive pictures!
Thanks, traveller 🙂
Fun stuff! Great trailer! Great location and love the sunglasses on the old man in the rock! Right on!
Renee
Thanks, Renee 🙂
Hahahaa… it’s so funny to see the mountain using lens….
🙂
Magical! Thank you for sharing!!!!
♥ Love and light ♥
~ Jennifer
My pleasure 🙂
Beautiful! I’ve added that to my list of places to visit.
You won’t be disappointed! 🙂
I did a double take when opened this post. I have almost the exact same picture in “The Girl With Red Boots” post (except I believe yours has slightly more character than mine did) as your first one and get this…we share the same theme. Get pics and love seeing some of the same sights from a different perspective.
I’ve just been to read your blog. Well, some of it anyway. I’ll be back to devour the rest! I feel like I’m following in your footsteps 🙂
Please do. I am just finishing up this year’s trip. We visited Arizona and Utah and visited some incredible places. The photography is much better after a year of practice too
Reblogged this on Three Men & A Red Head.
Thanks!
Ha ha ha……I love grandpa stone with glasses. Great job…thank’s for sharing
Thanks, e! 🙂
Love the last picture!
Thanks! Just a silly moment 😛
Really great photographs!
Thanks, Novelty 🙂
I really like the sun glasses…LOL
Me too 🙂
The top photo of church rock resembles a Buddhist stupa, and I’m thinking that the little cave is a meditation cave…..just large enough to sit and meditate in. These little cave are very common in Buddhist culture.
I like your explanation much better than the one I imagined, ann 🙂
Awesome shots! Congrats on FP!
Thanks, Candace 🙂
Ahahahahah – the rock with the shades on :D. Hehehe great ideal. Loved all the photos. The first one looks a lot like the Watchtower of Amon Sul (from the Lord of the Rings)- or is it just me? Anyhow, congrats for being on Freshly Pressed!
Thanks, Anarya! I kinda thought it looked like a giant beehive. Cool how different people see things in different ways, huh? 🙂
I just noticed I’d typed ideal instead of idea. My bad. Definitely cool how people see things differently. Now that you mention it, it does look a lot like a beehive 😀
nice pics..
Thanks, Bams 🙂
Polarizing filters – they are good for color enrichment of the sky and fluffy white clouds. Love your photos. Have visited Utah and surrounding States and it is spectacular scenery throughout the region. A great driving trip.
Feel welcome to visit our photoblog.
http://www.stonewallgalleries.wordpress.com
I think, in this case, the polarizer was overkill. Live ‘n’ learn, eh? I’ll most definitely be by to visit 🙂
Photoshop can help if you are worried about the “overkill” (as you would know) but sometimes when you want a nice white cloud to be there to ‘even things out’ a bit you just don’t have one on the day. But clear blue is better than dirty polluted grey anytime for me.
Those pictures are amazing, thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Pak…or Liam 🙂
superb pics…like it very much…
Very kind of you, Dreamz. Thanks 🙂
I like nice post
Thanks, Four 🙂
awesome!!!!
Thanks for saying so, amira 🙂
Fabulous- thought I’d died and gone to heaven! (nice car by the way- can I have it when he’s gone?)
I’ll put you down for it, jo 🙂
such beatiful shots.
Thanks, guen 🙂
Bellas imagenes…
Thanks, Pedro 🙂
Loved the narrative evn better that the images 🙂 Congratulations!
Thank you, Madhu!! 🙂
nice moment
Indeed 🙂
Nice blog!
Thanks, Sarah 🙂
Awesome!
Thanks, Jennifer 🙂
Wow is right! Awesome works too!!
You can come here and say stuff like that anytime you like, Karen! Thanks! 🙂
wow nice pic,s
Thanks, Awais 🙂
Fantastic pics…specially the last one 🙂 Your pics remind me of my visit to red rock country Sedona in Arizona…similarly majestic formations!
Sedona is spectacular too. We spent a couple of wonderful days in that area 🙂
Just got back from vacation where we spent some time in Moab, too. Just love that area. I’ve got this thing for red rock. Loved your pics, still putting off going through mine and posting some.
Yup, there’s just something about red rock. I hear ya. I’d love to see your pictures! 🙂
Just posted some red rock pics in my blog, slowerpoke.wordpress,com. Thanks for your interest. 🙂
im about to upload some my travel photography, i think you would appreciate it. love the images you got.
Thanks, Tyler! I’ll come and check yours out! 🙂
That would be great, just updated my part 1 album 🙂
These pics are awesome! Really like the one with the glasses, lol.
Thanks! That poor rock was just crying out to be photoshopped 🙂
Great pics!
Thanks, Debra 🙂
Great post! I’ve been to Moab, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon… spectacular. You have some great pics here One thing I though of, tho, about the Church Rock & attempted burrowing… people have actually been burrowing into rocks for thousands of years, quite successfully! Rocks make amazing shelter because they store heat during the day and release at night. I was in Turkey last year and had the opportunity to see some rock dwellings and *cathedrals* carved out by pre-Christian people, and then expanded by very early Christians hiding from persecution. They were very elaborate, with wineries, dining areas, trash areas, and many of them painted inside. An entire community of 4,000+ could disappear underground for months. If you go to this post and scroll to the bottom, you can see a few pictures! http://liveclay.wordpress.com/2011/06/25/turkish-rug-has-arrived/
Thanks, Laura! I’ll come check it out 🙂
Ah, the mountains. Nothing inspires or relaxes quite so well. They’re just so…well, in the last image’s case, “chill.”
Indeed. Well said, Chris 🙂
Love the shades!
Cool, eh? 🙂 lol
You betcha!
This place looks amazing! I hope I can make it out West sometime in the near future.
Even pictures don’t do it justice. It’s pretty mind-blowing 🙂
Haha you’re right, the sky does look a little fake…like a movie backdrop, too good to be true. Great work!
Nothing in Nature should be that colour 🙂
Love the shades!
Thanks, phan! 🙂
Wow nice one!
Thanks, biodetox 😀
I really like your writing style, I’m glad he loves his trailer. Great post
I’m not so sure he loves it in a healthy way, Footprints 😛 Thanks!
interesting post!
Super beautiful photos! It has been ages since I have wandered the western lands. These photos are compelling and tell an intriguing story..
Thank you so much for such a beautiful comment, leah 😀
You are most welcome. The photos are incredible!
Really enjoyed the commentary along with the pics. Something a bit more personal and involved than what FP usually promotes. Nice.
However, a lot of the pics are standard fare, not too hard out there (and I’ve been out there). Could you try for SOMETHING a bit out of the ordinary tourista shots?! Please. You do have some talent with the eye, but you have not stretched it to the least degree. And, really, the photoshopped sunglasses was a total gag. That took it down to bottom of the barrel.
C’mon, you can be way better than that. So try and reach for it. Or be lazy, if you want.
Well shucks! Thanks so much for your glowing comment! Your screen name is appropriate 🙂
I have visited sistertongue’s site and frankly it leaves me cold. Surely she could do better….. lol.
I just assumed from her tone that she is the Knower of All Things, so after I was done sobbing hysterically, I went off to sign up for photography lessons. 🙂
These websites are not for those that have an inflated view of their own intellect. It is a sharing system where anyone can participate, enjoy and learn. Calling someone “lazy” as she did is unacceptable. Glad you have now sparked a passion for photography.
Of course I was only speaking metaphysically….
Awesome. That last one definitely needed to be done. 😀
How could I resist? 🙂
Such wonderful photography, thanks.
Thanks, sunbright 🙂
That last photo with the sunglasses is classic!
Thanks, Deacon! Life’s too short to miss out on the chuckles. 🙂
Great shots! I have been to this area as my husband and I traveled for many years in a fifth wheel all over the southwest on our way to Mexico for part of the winter. You have captured the area well.
We saw so many drool-worthy fifth wheels out there, newsy, it was amazing. We felt like the little brother in most of the RV parks. Now Bob has been buying RV-for-sale mags and staring wistfully at the monster fifth wheels.
Great photos! Especially the rock and glasses!
Thanks, castl! I still get a good giggle out of that one 😀
Congrats on being Freshly Pressed! And thanks for the reminder of just how beautiful the Moab area is. I’m so glad you didn’t dumb down the sky.
Bruce
Thanks, Bruce! It really is such a spectacular area.
Reblogged this on mayconmcaravlho.
Thank you, sir 😀
Great I like ^^
Thanks, Four 😀
Outstanding photos and loved the sunglasses! 🙂
Thanks, CR! Sometimes ya just gotta do silly stuff 😀
Beautiful photos! and you guys are hilarious! the last picture is very funny : )
Thanks, Nareen (what a beautiful name!). 😀
Thank you : )
I need to unfollow your posts as I have gotten countelss emails without intending it! Who can help?
I had the same problem and found this post that helps……as stated in the instructions, you may have to uncheck the box twice and save each time, but it worked. Good Luck!
http://titabuds.com/2012/05/07/a-flood-of-emails/
Thanks, Shaanthz! You and candy get bugged next time I screw something up, k? 😛
Thank you for the tip!
Thanks–it worked!
That’s been happening to me too with other people’s blogs. Sometimes when I comment I suddenly start getting piles of emails about other comments. I haven’t been here long enough to figure out the ins and outs yet, but, it seems to make a difference how you “follow” someone. There seem to be several ways to follow – I think you can follow the whole blog or just one post. I am getting emails right now on two people’s blogs that I don’t follow at all which is even more bizarre. Of course, I could be just clicking things without having a clue what I’m doing, which is more likely the case.
I think Wrodpress has a new deal when you reply. There’s a box that says “Notify me of follow-up comments via email”. The default is that the boxos checked. I think you need to uncheck it before you post your comment. Ask me how I know!!! 🙂
AHA!! (The little light goes on…) Mystery solved! Thanks, candy! 😀
Thanks for the response! I think I got them blocked for now.
Thanks!
Nice 🙂
Thanks, Orca 😀
Congratulations to make it to Freshly Pressed…..well deserved!
Thanks, Shaanthz! I’m honoured.
i cant help but keep staring @ the pictures. They are so awesome and declares the greatness of God
It’s definitely an awe-inspiring corner of the world 😀
How wonderful. I have been daydreaming about doing this very thing! Maybe it’s a sign. I wish you happiness, safety, and grand times on your adventures.
Thank you so much, Ann! I hope your (day)dreams come true 😀
🙂
I got a nose bleed getting to the bottom of the comments! Loved the pics. Was it cold where you were there?
No, it was nice ‘n’ warm. We had perfect weather….right up until it started snowing. xo
Hahaha, the last picture! The rest of the photos are all gorgeous!
Thanks so much! 😀
I bet that rock wears it’s sunglasses at night….so he can, so he can…..
…watch us weave then breathe our story lines… I LOVE that song!! 😀
Wow! Awesome pictures! Thank you for sharing.
Feel free to visit http://germch55.wordpress.com for a virtual visit to New York.
nice photo of the trailer with such an awesome backdrop!
Reblogged this on MDPIE Motivation.Dedication.Perspiration.Imagination.Education. and commented:
I just HAD to reblog this! This is the cutest DIY I’ve seen in a long time!
😀 Thanks, D!
utah owns those rocky mountains? i thought it’s in turkey when i saw the featured image for the first time. great shots!
Drew Carey found hiding in Utah: Disguises himself as large, grouchy rock.
Amazing images – the sunglasses are a hoot – congratulations on being Freshly Pressed!
I wish I had stumbled upon this blog before. I just finished translating a novel set in Utah for the most part and had no idea how to render *butte* in German. In the end I had to throw a coin to choose one of several possibilities (it was a multi-sided coin ;-)). To my utter amazement I also just discovered a very popular German word here (*doof*). Never knew it exists in American usage. 🙂 Is it Pennsylvania Dutch?
I can’t speak for the American usage, but I imagine that, as with most things, it would be very similar to our Canadian usage. “Doof” is a short form for “dufus” or “doofus” (for some reason there are two spellings) which means “idiot.” I’d be interested to know what it means to Germans 😀
It means exactly that.
I thought the same thing about Moab before I went a few weeks ago. I hadn’t been since I was a child so I wasn’t sure if it would be as AWEsome as I had remembered, but you know what, it was even more so. Party because we were on our honeymoon, and partly because my husband had never been before. We went all over Utah for our honeymoon a few weeks ago. You can check out some of our photos from Four Corners, Zions, Capitol Reef, just to name a few 🙂
Love your photos! Very spectacular!
Thanks so much! And, congratulations! 😀
holy crap look at all those comments your a fargin rockstar!!!!!
Awesome place and awesome photos! Thank you for sharing,
Artphalt (http://artphalt.wordpress.com)