So, a friend of mine says (via email), “Hey, want to meet me in Palm Springs?” Leigh and I look at each other. “Weeeelllll…” Then I remember – Palm Springs is right next door to Joshua Tree National Park! Let’s do this thing! Even better: reasonably-priced direct flights from DFW! And our friends in TemeculaContinue reading “Joshua Tree”
Author Archives: essimages
The Grand Canyon : Rim-to-Rim and more!
Late August is not a highly recommended time for visiting the Grand Canyon, especially if you’re going to walk down to Phantom Ranch. But that’s when we had a cabin at Phantom Ranch, and we weren’t going to miss it! After all, I’d never been there before. And we’re from Texas, we can deal withContinue reading “The Grand Canyon : Rim-to-Rim and more!”
Saguaro, Saguaros, and More!
Saguaro National Park. Just saying it brings to mind that majestic cactus, standing tall and proud, branches reaching to the sky! And rightly so, everywhere you look, even places where you’d think nothing could grow, there they are. Such a ubiquitous symbol of the west, you see their profile everywhere, even here in Texas. Unfortunately,Continue reading “Saguaro, Saguaros, and More!”
Big Bend Country, Part 2
Just to remind you where we left off after the Emory Peak Trail! In Part 1, that is… For our last hike in the National Park, we decided to do the Lost Mine Trail. Many people say that this is the one to do if you only have time for one hike in Big Bend.Continue reading “Big Bend Country, Part 2”
Big Bend Country – Part 1
A trip to West Texas is always a joy for me and I was really looking forward to hiking in Big Bend National Park. We hadn’t been there for over a decade and that trip had included a recalcitrant youngster so we didn’t do as much hiking as we might have liked. We were excited!Continue reading “Big Bend Country – Part 1”
The Great Smoky Mountains – And More
It’s January now (and we’re back from our January trip), so here’s the November trip! We drove out to Atlanta to see the folks, and we went on from there to some of the nearby parks. On the way to Georgia we stopped in Tuscaloosa so Leigh could show me around the places she usedContinue reading “The Great Smoky Mountains – And More”
Elsewhere in Utah
There are a lot of things to do in southern Utah outside the National Parks!
Zion National Park
Four days of hiking, climbing, and photographing in the stunning Zion National Park!
Bryce Canyon National Park
When we started planning this trip, we looked at the average conditions for Bryce Canyon in September. Average high around 70 (about 21 for you metric types) sounds great! Lows around 40-42? (yes, 5-ish in metric) Not a problem, layer up a little and take it off as the temperature climbs. Easy, yes? Then, asContinue reading “Bryce Canyon National Park”
Welcome to The Grand Canyon … of Texas
“…a burning, seething cauldron, filled with dramatic light and color.” -Georgia O’Keeffe. In our last days of freedom, before the Enclosed Times, we took a trip up to Palo Duro Canyon, up Amarillo way. Unfortunately, we came back… But it was a great trip while it lasted! I hadn’t been there for more than 30Continue reading “Welcome to The Grand Canyon … of Texas”
Looking In 