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Monument Valley and Goosenecks State Park | Utah

August 13, 2018 filed under: photography, travel, USA

Hey, remember the road trip that I went on  with my cousin B and his girlfriend in September when we visited all the National Parks? I am still catching up on the recaps! Here are parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

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After the amazing tour through Lower Antelope Canyon and a quick stop at Horseshoe Bend, we got back on the road to our next destination: Moab.

Of course, road tripping through the American Southwest is never just about the destination, but also about the journey, because there is just so much to see.

We had also contemplated driving a little detour to see Four Corners National Monument (where Utah, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico touch), but the extra driving would have been substantial just to be able to say “we were there”, so we decided against it this time. It would have been cool though.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to enter into Monument Valley this time (as B and I have done on a previous visit), but luckily, a lot of the monuments are visible, and not less beautiful from the distance.

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Remember that article that I shared in one of my Link Love posts, about how everybody snaps the same Instagram travel photos? Well, I guess, it’s true. We did, too. It’s just too cool to pass up.

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After we left Monument Valley behind, I made sure we included a stop at Goosenecks State Park.

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This site, though declared a state park, is still largely undeveloped. There are some very primitive campsites and no developed hiking trails, which really boggles my mind. Honestly, I think it will just be a matter of time until someone will realize the potential of this place, because just look at these views! Those are some of the most impressive views of one of the most striking examples of an entrenched river meander on the North American continent.

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I first learned about these impressive meanders of the San Juan River on my geology field trip in 1998. Turns out, not even my nerdy, geology-enthusiastic co-workers knew about the Goosenecks. Wild! I feel like I am on a mission to introduce them to anybody who will listen! At the same time, it’s very nice to visit a site that is not overrun with people. Just sayin’.

The State Park is just a short drive off US 163 and very worth a stop, IMHO. You can’t miss the turn-off, because it will come up on the left just when you leave Mexican Hat behind on your right. The name “Mexican Hat” comes from a sombrero-shaped rock outcropping on the northeast edge of town.

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As always, my posts come with a little geology lesson. You’re welcome.

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The San Juan River is a major tributary of the Colorado River and drains the Four Corners region. It originates in the San Juan Mountains (which are part of the Rocky Mountains) in Colorado and flows 383 miles (616 km)[2] through the deserts of northern New Mexico and southeastern Utah to join the Colorado River at Glen Canyon. The river drains a high, arid region of the Colorado Plateau and along its length it is often the only significant source of fresh water for many miles. The San Juan is also one of the muddiest rivers in North America, carrying an average of 25 million US tons (22.6 million t) of silt and sediment each year.(Wikipedia).

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Millions of years ago, when the land was relatively flat, the river meandered on its normal course (as rivers do). Then, about 20 million years ago, a period of uplift occurred on the Colorado Plateau. As the land rose, the river flowed faster while still following its meandering course. The river cut into the land, eventually creating the impressive entrenched meanders.

Anyway, long story short: the geologic history is fascinating (IMHO as a geology nerd) but you can also just stop there because it’s such a beautiful, impressive view. Everybody can agree with that, am I right?

We made it to Moab just in time for dinner. We checked into our hotel and then of course had to get burgers at an old favorite restaurant, “Eddie McStiff’s”, where I had eaten with Basti and my parents on a previous trip to Utah!

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7

Lower Antelope Canyon | Page, AZ

April 10, 2018 filed under: photography, travel, USA

Hey, remember the road trip that I went on  with my cousin B and his girlfriend in September when we visited all the National Parks? Let’s continue the recaps! Here are parts 1, 2, 3, and 4.

As you might recall, I left off when we visited Horseshoe Bend near Page, Arizona.

While we were in Page, we had also booked a tour at the “Lower Antelope Canyon” via Ken Tours. [Warning: this post is photo-heavy.]

Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon, which are common in Utah and which, characteristically, are significantly deeper than they are wide. ‘Some slot canyons can measure less than 1 meter (3 ft) across at the top but drop more than 30 meters (100 ft) to the floor of the canyon’ (Wikipedia) (as you can see in some of the pictures below). B and I had seen Upper Antelope Canyon on this previous visit, and I just remembered it as a magical place carved out by Mother Nature, but M hadn’t seen either and so we decided to do a tour at the Lower Canyon this time.

Both canyons were formed by erosion of Navajo Sandstone, primarily by flash floods through Antelope Creek, a intermittently water-bearing creek originating in the Mormon Ridges southeast of Page. Rainwater, especially during monsoon season, runs into the extensive basin above the slot canyon sections, picking up speed and sand as it rushes into the narrow passageways. Over time the passageways eroded away, making the corridors deeper and smoothing hard edges in such a way as to form characteristic “flowing” shapes in the rock. (Wikipedia).

Upper Antelope Canyon (also called ”The Crack”), which you can access through a (most of the time) dry river bed, is ground level and requires no climbing. The entrance is a narrow curved slit in the cliffs only a few feet wide and you could easily miss it. However, once inside, the canyon has the shape of an upside down “V”, it’s mostly pretty wide at the bottom and narrower at the top. The beams of direct sunlight radiating down from openings at the top of the canyon are much more common here and bathe the sandstone in bright orange light.

In contrast, Lower Antelope Canyon (also called “The Corkskrew”) is the opposite. The opening, where you enter into the canyon through a series of staircases, is pretty wide, but the bottom is narrow and there are many twists and turns. It is longer, narrower in spots, and even footing is not available in all areas. Five flights of stairs of varying step widths are available to aid in descent and ascent through the canyon. The canyon has the shape of a “V” and it feels much more cave like, even though it is shallower than the Upper Antelope Canyon.

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We were part of an early morning tour at 8:20 a.m., so we had to get up early to make it there in time (although it’s only a 10-minute drive from the center of town).


{courtesy of Google}

The crowds were already forming (which was to be expected) and I cringed a little bit inside to be once again part of such a mass event to see ‘nature’. It just feels contradictory, but again, if I complain about the crowds, I realize that I am part of the problem.

The organization seemed a little haphazard, as there were so many people in line for a various different tour starting times and we all had to be separated out into the correct groups. The waiting time wasn’t too bad though and we were amused by the lady that repeatedly asked for our “confirmination numbers”.

In the end, it all worked out and our tour started on time.

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I was a bit wary that the walk through the canyon would be pretty crowded (and usually it is hard enough to take pictures without other people in it as it is), but luckily the crowds dispersed a bit when the tour started and our tour guide made sure that people had space and (mostly) unobstructed views to take pictures.

When you’re inside the canyon, it’s very hard to imagine that this place still experiences regular flash foods and reshaping of the canyon walls. Sometimes you can find hints of the most recent flash floods stuck to the walls (like debris and wooden logs).

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As you can see, the walk through the canyon is a lot of twist and turns and absolutely stunning views. The tour guides always point out different shapes that the water has carved into the rock and that they have named because they resemble certain things like

… the upside down heart…

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…the eagle …

The Eagle

… the lion…

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… the buffalo head…

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… the Indian Chief…

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… the Joker face…

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… and the lady in the wind.

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The newest ‘addition’ to the tour guides repertoire: “Donald Trump” carved in stone.  Do you see his hair flip?

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And this is where you ‘crawl’ out of the canyon at the end of the tour. It’s hard to believe when you see this opening from above that there this whole deep labyrinth of beauty below the surface.

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If you would ask me which tour I would recommend, Upper or Lower Canyon, I would say both. As mentioned, expect significant crowds. The place has become much more popular (even since I first visited in 2011) and you just have to expect wait times and many, many people. However, Antelope Canyon is so unique and so incredible that I think it’s possible to look past the crowds and still be able to appreciate its stunning beauty. While the waving and coloring of the sandstone is pretty similar, the hiking experience in the two canyons is very different (IMHO). The Lower Antelope Canyon tour was $40 and quite a bit cheaper than the Upper Antelope Canyon tour (in case this might be a deciding factor for you), although the Upper Canyon is the only place where you have a chance of seeing those iconic light beams mentioned earlier

Some travel tips:

+ Lodging options around Page are unfortunately all on the expensive side. We stayed at the La Quint Inn & Suites Page at Lake Powell. It’s one of the cheaper options and it’s a pretty new and well-run hotel (with a very decent breakfast).

+ We’ve been going back to “Bonkers Restaurant” every time we visit Page. It’s a local favorite and the food is really good.

+ If you’re in the area, make sure you visit Horseshoe Bend and go on one of the Antelope Canyon tours. (Duh!) You won’t regret it. But you should know that there is much more to see in the area. Unfortunately due to time and money constraints, we couldn’t take advantage of it all, but other cool things to check out: Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam,  Rainbow Bridge National Monument (by boat), and I really want to do the Glen Canyon Float Trip (where you can see Horseshoe Bend from below!) sometime!

20

8 fun Instagram accounts I follow

March 24, 2016 filed under: photography, this and that

I don’t know about you, but I very rarely follow accounts on Instagram just to see “pretty pictures”. Instagram is a platform for me where I connect, so I usually follow people that I “know” (personally or through the Internet ;)) and where I have an invested interest in that person and or their art/business.

However, there are a couple of Instagram accounts that I randomly came across and which I solely follow because of their beautifully curated photo streams. Today I want to share a few of those with you. I have no personal connection to these Instagrammers (ok, except for the first one!), and yet, I love to see their photos pop up in my stream every day.

@wehandstand This is my (not-so)“little” cousin’s project. I participated too. Just not as graciously as the other people who submitted their awesome handstand photos. At least, I had location going for me (Horseshoe Bend, AZ – lower right).

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@dailyoverview The geography nerd in me likes the bird’s-eye views from above. I mean, isn’t this cool?!

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@Wrightkitchen Beautiful color schemes with food. So pretty to look at.

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@Cocolavine Because I secretly always wanted to be a ballerina, but I am not sure I would have had the discipline and I am glad I didn’t ruin my feet with these pointe shoes.

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@weareknitters If you’re a knitter, you want to check this one out. They have a website with knitting kits as well. Really awesome.

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@coffeenclothes Can you tell I have a thing for flat lay photography? Is this coincidence or ‘a thing’ right now?  

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@stumptowncoffee Duh! Coffee. What else?

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@valgardenadolomites You know that one already. Beautiful photography from the Southern Alps that make me nostalgic for my childhood. 

Recommend one of your favorite Instagram feeds in the comments!

9

ABC Photo Challenge

April 25, 2015 filed under: photography

Edited with Phonto. https://phon.to

As I mentioned, I participated in a little photo challenge on Instagram. My blog friend Fee initiated the ABC photo challenge earlier this month and since I hadn’t participated in any challenges lately, I thought it would be fun to document part of this month by playing along. Here are all the photos for my personal ABC.

A is for Azalea. There are some beautiful azalea bushes close to my work.

B is for breakfast. Steel-cut oats with apples. Hmm :)

C is for Chemex and coffee. The best, that’s all.

D is for daffodils. I love those yellow, happy flowers.

E is for Easter bread. I baked our traditional sweet yeast bread for Easter and it was so delicious!

F is for family. My sister’s wonderful family, to be exact.

G is for gray skies. We got some rain earlier this month. Very needed, much appreciated.

H is for home-cooked meal. Turkey-mushroom-spätzle bowl with green beans.

I is for I Street. 

J is for Jetta. Our new ride!

K is for (door) knobs in our old, vintage apartment.

L is for lazy baseball Sunday. Go Red Sox!

M is for McKinley Park. Another day, another run at this lovely park.

N is for never tired of these beautiful magnolia blossoms.

O is for Oh, I just ran 4 miles.

P is for pasta. Yummy home-made spaghetti with spicy italian sausage.

Q is for quality time at the beach last summer.

R is for Red Cherry Trees.

S is for Sunday Thai cravings.

T is for (summer-ready) toes and the first pedicure of the year.

U is for unreal. Yosemite National Park is so amazing!

V is for Volkswagen.

W is for water which I am tracking with the new @NalgeneUSA app on my phone. Drinking enough is one of my goals for 2015.

(X)Y(Z) is for (water) yoga at the Willow Stream Spa in Sonoma where I spent the day with my dear friend Susi.

If you want to see some of the other photos of people who participated, check out hashtag #abcfee2015 on Instagram.

1

2014 in pictures: week 52

December 28, 2014 filed under: a year in pictures

2014 in pictures: WEEK 52

Christmas tree • The Holiday • Christmas plate •
cozy • our Christmas dinner • decorations •
knitting • a puzzle! • Christmas cards •

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Photo of the week: Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2014 filed under: photography

Foto der Woche

Hello friends! This is the last but one photo for the ‘Foto der Woche‘ – project and it’s my favorite time of the year, so don’t be surprised, here’s my Glücklichmacher #51:

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Merry Christmas (taken December 24, 2014)

Christmas is my favorite time of the year and this is our tiny Christmas tree. We usually don’t get a tree since we travel over the holidays, but since we were staying put this year, I insisted on getting (at least) a small tree. It makes my heart so very happy. Merry Christmas, my friends! Have a lovely holiday!

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2014 in pictures: week 51

December 21, 2014 filed under: a year in pictures

2014 in pictures: week 51

Christmas letters • brunch • walking •
Christmas tree • Lombard Street • Union Square •
hot chocolate • Christmas cookies • baking •

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Photo of the week: waves

December 17, 2014 filed under: photography

Foto der Woche

Hello friends! This photo project is slowly, but surely coming to an end and there are only a few ‘Foto der Woche‘ – posts left. I am glad I made it this far and here’s what I was excited about this week. My Glücklichmacher #50:

Photo of the week: waves

Waves (taken December 14, 2014)

I spent a couple of days down in Southern California last weekend and the weather was so nice and for a moment, it didn’t really feel christmassy at all, but I didn’t really care, because I got to go to the beach and enjoy the beautiful view and the clouds and the surfers! It was a beautiful morning and I wish once again that I’d live closer to the ocean. One day maybe!

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2014 in pictures: week 50

December 14, 2014 filed under: a year in pictures

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sunrise • Christmas decoration • cute wrapping paper •
kitchen • at the mall • friends’ time •
Parade of Lights • out • the pier •

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Photo of the week: Christmas time

December 10, 2014 filed under: photography

Foto der Woche

Hello friends! It’s time again for another ‘Foto der Woche‘ and here’s what I am excited about this week. My Glücklichmacher #49:

Photo of the week: Christmas time

Christmas time (taken December 8, 2014)

We don’t have much space in our small apartment for a big tree or a lot of Christmas decoration. I wish we had a fire place and a mantle that I could decorate (so many ideas!), but alas, we don’t, and so a scaled down Christmas decoration has to do. I love our tiny Christmas tree, the reindeer (that my sister gave me last year) and my Willow Tree angel of friendship. They put a smile on my face during the holiday season!

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Hi, I am San – German native, dual-citizen living in beautiful Northern California. Runner. Knitter. Crafter. Reader. Writer. Proud aunt, sister, and friend.

I’ve been blogging since 2004 and don’t intend to stop any time soon. If you are looking for personal content and making a  genuine connection, you’ve come to the right place.

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