The Grand Canyon 2017

Shelley and I awoke on the Canyon rim that first morning to a balmy -14 degrees. Growing up in Minnesota this was not a problem for me.

After returning to the room in the Thunderbird Lodge Shelley was awake and ready to go breakfast at the Harvey House Café, located in the Bright Angel Lodge.

When Shelley and I travel we photograph during all qualities of light. And yes this includes during the midday harsh light. For me, photography trips are not just about the act of making photographs, but getting out and making new experiences.

While Shelley and I were wandering through and around the buildings along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon we came to Hopi House. While there I learned that The Hopi House was constructed in 1904

Toward the end of the afternoon, Shelley and I found ourselves at the Hopi Point overlook. Here the South Rim trail runs very close to the parking lot. The trail was covered with packed snow and ice. This caused most people to stay parking lot to take in the view.

For sunset Shelley and I ended up at Mohave Point. We had hiked and driven along the south rim of the Grand Canyon most of the day looking for the best location at which to photograph the setting sun over a portion of the Grand Canyon.

Shelley and I began our second day at the Grand Canyon by driving from the Grand Canyon Village all the way to the Desert View entrance to the park on the Eastern end of the South Rim. My thinking was to drive as far as Desert View that morning.

While Shelley and I were out on day two scouting for locations we stopped at Navajo Point. I was looking to compose a photograph that would include Desert View Tower

Shelley and I arrived next at Lipan Point. We were still scouting for a sunset location on day two. I must say that Lipan Point is one of my favorite overlooks into the Grand Canyon.

We arrived at Mather point it was filled with people who were in the Park for just the day. It and Desert View were the two busiest points of interest during Shelley and I’s stay in Grand Canyon National Park.

As the light was fading in the afternoon of day two of our trip Shelley and I found our selves near Yavapai point. We were walking along the South Rim trail near the Yavapai Geological Museum and Bookstore.

This morning would be my last chance to photograph at Desert View. Shelley and I departing the Grand Canyon for Page AZ. We ate breakfast and loaded up the vehicle for what was to be the longest driving day of the trip.