Antarctica - first sighting

The first sighting of Antarctica was at the end of the second day after we came out of the Drake Passage.  We had made good time on the passage.  The expedition leader and the captain decided to push as far south as possible coming out of the Drake taking advantage of the weather and the currents.  So our first view of Antarctica was likely near the Yalour Islands.  

It was exciting to see Antarctica for the first time so I could be forgiven for devoting an entire post to it.  We also had our first sighting of humpbacks between the ship and land.  We were so excited we couldn't sleep and when we looked out the cabin window and saw the very late sunset (close to midnight), we put on our gears again and went back up on deck.

At first it looked like just a snow-covered plateau with huge icebergs around.  Then the landscape became more interesting with some mountain peaks.  And as the sun went down, the light became more intense and the clouds more dramatic.  It was hard to put down our cameras.  

We were lucky to be up and see this spectacle because it was hard to stay up again in the days that followed with the expedition rhythm in full force.  Since we would just be in Antarctica for 4 days, the expedition had to pack everything in  - so it's zodiac landings or zodiac cruises twice a day.  By the end of the day, we were quite exhausted so were quite glad the skies were not clear enough most days for any more spectacular sunsets.

Snow-covered plateau

 

First whale sighting

Light started to change

Clouds changing with the light

The reflected light on the clouds created a whirlpool effect. 
What a great way to celebrate the arrival at this southern continent!

Southwest Road trip - Sedona to Page

The next stop on our trip is Page and the road between Sedona and Page is very scenic.  The section of Highway 89A between Sedona and Flagstaff cuts through red rocks in the southern part but as the road climbed, it changed over to forested canyons - all this within the mere 30 miles between the two cities.  There was one scenic stop that looked out onto the deep  canyons, a change in scenery from the red rock desert of Sedona although you can still see the red rocks under the trees.

We stopped at the Cameron Trading Post for lunch, trying their delicious specialty Navajo fried breads.  

The spectacle along the highway continues as we approach Page.  Thanks to my friend and driving partner LW for these two photos.

It is a mere 158 miles between Sedona and Page - what should be a less than 3 hour drive turned into a good part of the day.  We had to cut the stop at Marble Canyon on the way because we had to make it to Horseshoe Canyon for the golden hour, which is very early these days because sunset was around 4:30-5.  That is one of the cons of travelling at this time of year - very short days - but the advantage is smaller crowds.

Stunning rocks surround the Horseshoe Bend

The Horseshoe Bend is basically an "incised meander" of the Colorado River.  It's my second visit - thankful that this time I made it for the golden hour and the boat cooperated with a cruise around the bend.  See how the colour changes as the sun goes down.

Moonrise brought on the magic...

and the goblins...

Sunset at Yavapai Point, Grand Canyon

I remember my first view of the Grand Canyon in 1979 - the lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. The magnificence and enormity of that landscape touched me deep where words failed.  That must have been what conversion felt like.   But I was a believer then so it was more an affirmation of the presence of God.   I remember going to the village book store and looking for a book of poetry that might adequately express what I couldn't.  I didn't think I found anything I wanted to buy.  But that experience remained through the decades, back and forth between conversions and faith-busting "de-conversions" - it was like a candle that someone had kept burning for me all these years in some dark chapel.  Something to be cherished because that first impression was difficult to recapture...

I brought with me on this third visit, a better camera and a better lens and I like to think I took better pictures although the former two things  may have no bearing whatsoever on the latter.  But I was unable to recapture that first impression.  On reflection, I think what I needed was more time for contemplation.  It requires a state of mind quite different from what I brought with me this time - the search for the perfect photo spot, the search for the right aperture, the search for the perfect light.  It clearly calls for a fourth visit, one where I just sit there and watch the sunset instead of trying to figure out which f stop to use.

Sunset at Yavapai Point

The light changed very quickly.  Sunset took less than a half hour.

Amen!