I’m working on the photos I took on my trip to Coyote Buttes North and South a few weeks ago so that I can put together a trip report from the weekend. Here’s a photo of Melody Arch that I liked from that trip. If you look closely you can actually see three arches in this photo.
Colorado National Monument
Thursday, February 9, 2012
I’ve wanted to photograph Monument Canyon filled with fog for a while now, and this morning I finally got my chance. As I was leaving my house to drive to work and noticed the heavy fog that filled the Grand Valley, I just couldn’t resist the conditions and drove up to the Colorado National Monument instead. I arrived up above the fog just in time to watch the sun rise over the Grand Mesa. It was a spectacular view and definitely worth missing a few hours of work.
When I first arrived, the fog was all the way down in the Grand Valley and Monument Canyon was free and clear of fog. Once the sun was up, the fog slowly crept out of the valley and into the canyon. It was an amazing experience!
I arrived at this viewpoint of Independence Monument just after the sun rose over the cliff in the distance. The fog was still down in the Grand Valley at this point.
Rising Sun by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The fog creeps into Monument Canyon while the early morning daylight strikes Independence Monument.
Island View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A closer look at Independence Monument as the fog surrounds it.
Monuments in Fog by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Morning Light by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I went up to the Colorado National Monument this morning to catch another sunrise. The conditions weren’t the best, but here’s a photo I took after the sun came up over the Grand Mesa.
I turned 32 on Saturday, February 11th and was planning on spending a long weekend in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument since I had permits to Coyote Buttes North and South. However, last Friday morning my mom had a heart attack when she arrived at work and was rushed to Elmhurst Memorial Hospital.
Since I was in Page, Arizona, I drove down to Flagstaff and got on a flight back to Chicago so that I could be with my mom and my family.
Unfortunately, her brain was without oxygen for too long and she never recovered from the heart attack. She was put on a ventilator until Tuesday afternoon at 3pm when she was taken off of it. The neurologist didn’t expect her to survive more than a few minutes off of the machine, but she was strong and lasted for another 14 hours on her own. Her breathing was very fast and heavy at first, but slowed down throughout the night until she peacefully passed away around 6am on Wednesday, February 15th, 2012. My dad, sister and I were by her side all night until the end. She loved Valentine’s Day so I think it’s fitting she held on until the next day.
I really hope she knew how much I loved her, even though I never said it much.
Here’s a photo of my mom and me dancing at my wedding in 2005.
I am currently still in Chicago for the wake and funeral this week. Then I will be driving back to Grand Junction with Amanda. When I get back I will definitely need to get back into the desert.
I’ve wanted to photograph Monument Canyon in the fog for a while, and this morning I finally got the chance. As I left for work, I just couldn’t resist and headed up to the Colorado National Monument instead. I arrived up above the fog just in time to watch the sun rise over the Grand Mesa. It was a spectacular view and worth missing a few hours of work.
When I first arrived, the fog was all the way down in the Grand Valley and Monument Canyon was free and clear of fog. Once the sun was up, the fog slowly crept out of the valley and into the canyon. It was an amazing sight!