Pathfinder's Fast Run to Toroweap aboard the White Knight 56K warning

pathfinder · July 27, 2009

I signed up for Aaron's Toroweap Trip expecting dirt roads, Grand Canyon, and a bit of warm weather. I definitely got all three. My truck was heavily loaded with two spare wheels and tires, camping gear, water, and a couple cameras.

My route was the usual one - I-70 from Indiana, across Kansas and Colorado, and Utah. I prefer Blue Highways, but sometimes ya just gotta make tracks, and for making tracks, the Interstate is ideal.

I have driven I-70 many, many times, but I still find occasionally unusual things along the way.

I have shot the Van Gogh easel in Goodland, Ks before, but it grabbed me once again. There is no image manipulation here, the easel is just that big!!

Anyone who has driven I-70 west from Kansas to Denver has driven by the See 6 States Viewing Tower in eastern Colorado, but how many ever slow down and leave the highway to look around?

Old cars full of mason jars must have some deeper meaning that I have not grasped quite yet.

In western Colorado, I stopped at the Rabbit Valley Fossil beds for a brief walkaround.

I soldiered on across Colorado, into eastern Utah and dropped into Sego Canyon briefly to visit some old friends.

I spent the night in Green River, and next morning took a Ranch exit into Buckhorn Wash to visit the Bottle Monolith and the Jackass Benches

A little further west, one meets the San Rafel Swell

Check out the size of the 18 wheeler heading up into the cut at the far left of this drive by pano.

I dropped through Fremont and on into St George by the third day on the road. It was 114 degrees that day by the thermometer in the dash of the White Knight ( my "authorized vehicle" white truck ) (I have always told Nightingale that my next truck was going to be an authorized vehicle, as they always seem to get more places to park and go. So I did.)

I spent the evening with Aaron, our fearless leader, and then Friday morning, we all headed into the unknown - 90 miles of unpaved, back country road to Toroweap.

Our fearless leader

It was hot in Toroweap, even with the windows down and the air conditioning turned on. Oh, that's right, there was no air conditioning and no electricity and no fan.

But the scenery was stunning and worth the drive.

Sunrise was beautiful

And then we all sat in the gazebo in the shade, trying to escape the sun's clutches, and got to know each other.

Here is Aaron after missing a lot of sleep

Here is Dan trying to wake up I think

Chris is thoughtful, and was a good travelling companion in the White Knight

Gary aka Azzaro

Every one knows Nikolai, who was emulating his models in his choice of attire

Shimon was delightful to talk to

Joel aka kdog was behind a camera even more than myself

I missed getting a shot of Shaun.

And yours truly, Jim aka Pathfinder

The next morning we shot sunrise again

We then hurried back to our campsite, and began tearing them down to pack up and leave the desert. Aaron, Chris, Nik and I took a quick hike to Nampaweap to see some petroglyphs.

We did not hang around long down along the creek bed, because after two days in the desert heat we were drawing large black, biting flies.:scratch

The return to civilization was uneventful. Almost. Aaron wanted to fix some of the roads surfaces

Here is QuickSilver - Aaron's faithful steed, back from the desert.

Aaron, Nik and I went out for lunch, and then went our separate ways.

I headed south to Page, and across Arizona to Wupatki National Monument,

and on to El Morro, where the Europeans, Spanish, English, and American carved their names into the rock face.

From El Morro, I was only a 1340 miles from home, so it was just a fast run home with an overnight in Tucucari NM.

I had a splendid time, and Aaron did a spectacular job of putting together his Chasing the Light Trip to Toroweap Grand Canyon. I recommend his events very highly!

I have a few more pictures here. If you look at my galleries, please, please leave a comment so I know you were there!

dlplumer · July 27, 2009

Jim, you have some amazing photos in this series.

I love seeing the parts of your trip that I didn't experience.

Your Toroweap shots are absolutely beautiful.

Hope I get to shoot with you again some day.

Dan

Andy · July 27, 2009

I feel like I was there with you!
How'd I miss this trip?

Tango · July 27, 2009

Jim,

(QuickSilver was in need of the usual repairs after a baja event

)

LOVE love Love

(hope you dont mind me using this comp one day):jose (benefit of taking friends to places like this is they find the good comps I keep overlooking)

Tango · July 27, 2009

Andy wrote:

I feel like I was there with you!
How'd I miss this trip?

keep your eye on future meet-up's out here in the west... (yet to schedule the next few, but they are coming soon)

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78528747529

pathfinder · July 27, 2009

Andy wrote:

I feel like I was there with you!
How'd I miss this trip?

Andy, I put that Zeiss 20mm lens to good use in Toroweap!

pathfinder · July 27, 2009

dlplumer wrote:

Jim, you have some amazing photos in this series. I love seeing the parts of your trip that I didn't experience. Your Toroweap shots are absolutely beautiful. Hope I get to shoot with you again some day.

Dan

Thanks Dan, I am sure we will cross paths again!

dlplumer · July 27, 2009

AaronNelson wrote:

Jim,

(QuickSilver was in need of the usual repairs after a baja event )

LOVE love Love

DavidTO · July 27, 2009

Wow, Jim! Great trip, fantastic pictures. Nicely done!

matrix311 · July 28, 2009

AaronNelson wrote:

keep your eye on future meet-up's out here in the west... (yet to schedule the next few, but they are coming soon)

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=78528747529

Aaron, I have submitted a request to join this group on facebook! Please approve.

Thanks

Eric

Awais Yaqub · July 28, 2009

Wonderful set of photos, enjoyed them.

Llywellyn · July 28, 2009

Awesome photos, Jim. Aaron picked out the one that was my favorite from the set, too.

This makes me miss road-tripping and shooting with you and Nightingale!

CWSkopec · July 28, 2009

Great set, Jim!

I'm going to have to stop by Sego Canyon next time I'm in the area, those petroglyphs look sweet!!

But I gotta admit, I think I fooled ya with my pose! I doubt there was much of anything happening between my ears in that heat!!

It was a pleasure meeting you and thanks again for carting me around the Toroweap wilderness as part of Team White Knight!

theNOIZ · July 28, 2009

Jim,

I love the shot of Aaron on the edge. The color of the rock is stunning and having Aaron out there puts the depth of the canyon in perspective.

It's been really interesting to see everyone's photos. Same trip, same scenery, different compositions, different gear. I can't wait to go out on another group photo trip!

BTW- it's a good thing you didn't get a shot of me. My face has been know to break expensive lenses.

Hey, being ugly is cool. Just turn on M-tv!

anwmn1 · July 28, 2009

Great stuff Jim!!

I need to add Sego Canyon to my list of destinations.

Hope to see you on the next shoot.

Nikolai · July 28, 2009

Jim,
love the series! You're the best!

raptorcaptor · July 28, 2009

Awesome shots Jim! Looks like you had a great trip!

pathfinder · July 28, 2009

Aw Shucks, guys, and gals, you are not being very helpful to a guy here, with your lack of criticisms!!:D

Thank you all for your kind words. I appreciate them.

I will add a few more frames here as I work them up.

kdog · July 29, 2009

Sorry, no criticisms here either, Jim. Just kudos for a wonderful series of photos and great story telling. You're a real trooper to have traveled so far to attend our little gathering. It was really good hanging and chatting with you, and I hope to see you again some time in the not-too-distant future.

Cheers,
-joel

Llywellyn · July 29, 2009

Haven't had enough coffee for a crit yet, but I had to ask...in that second photo, are those mannequins in the windows? And are the objects on top, um, beheaded mannequins? The whole image gives me the creeps, despite the happy-bright light, but if those top objects are indeed sans heads, I'm sleeping with the light on tonight.

And I'm giving you extra kudos for braving the exploration of such a place.

michswiss · July 29, 2009

I gotta say, you have a perfectly formed cranium. :oogle Oh, and I like the shots very much. I'll take a look at these again as they are very enjoyable even though I'm not normally a fan of landscapes.

pathfinder · July 29, 2009

Llywellyn wrote:

Haven't had enough coffee for a crit yet, but I had to ask...in that second photo, are those mannequins in the windows? And are the objects on top, um, beheaded mannequins? The whole image gives me the creeps, despite the happy-bright light, but if those top objects are indeed sans heads, I'm sleeping with the light on tonight. And I'm giving you extra kudos for braving the exploration of such a place.

They are indeed mannequins, some with, and some without heads. Strange, indeed!

I confess I did not go inside either, not sure it was open, and not sure I really wanted to know, Kerry:D

Maybe next time if there is a crowd to go with me

pathfinder · July 29, 2009

michswiss wrote:

I gotta say, you have a perfectly formed cranium. :oogle Oh, and I like the shots very much. I'll take a look at these again as they are very enjoyable even though I'm not normally a fan of landscapes.

Note how closely the fur on my cranium matches that of my chin

Glad you enjoyed the pictures.

Another sunrise

clikrf8 · October 20, 2009

request to join
Hi there,
I just emailed a request to join your group and also your FB group. I love the Southwest. Great adventure and a your images gave me a good sense of where you went.

dadwtwins · October 20, 2009

Hey Jim,

was this before the Wild Utah trip or after??? Either or, You have just been on a whirl wind of a trip captured beautifully by you and your gear. Great job

I wanna see the moonbow please.

pathfinder · October 24, 2009

Hi Dan,

This trip was in July last summer.

I am still in the process of editing the ~5000 frames I shot before and during Wild Utah. I plan to write a journey thread in the next week or two.

If you can't wait, I have a few shots in my gallery here

I have not gotten to the moon bow, but I do have a moon star just for you.....

I rather still like this shot from July though

pathfinder · October 24, 2009

michswiss wrote:

I gotta say, you have a perfectly formed cranium. :oogle Oh, and I like the shots very much. I'll take a look at these again as they are very enjoyable even though I'm not normally a fan of landscapes.

Jenny, I missed this post earlier. From your gallery, you have some very nice work!

Folks, if you have not seen her work here you really should!! Start here - http://michswiss.smugmug.com/Projects

dadwtwins · October 24, 2009

pathfinder wrote:

Hi Dan,

This trip was in July last summer.

I am still in the process of editing the ~5000 frames I shot before and during Wild Utah. I plan to write a journey thread in the next week or two.

If you can't wait, I have a few shots in my gallery here

I have not gotten to the moon bow, but I do have a moon star just for you.....

I rather still like this shot from July though

I enjoyed looking through your gallery, thanks for the share

Pathfinder's Fast Run to Toroweap aboard the White Knight 56K warning

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