#TravelTuesday Sunset Point, Sedona, Arizona

I’ve spent the past few weeks sharing pictures of our trip last Thanksgiving to Sedona Arizona. Its landscape is both beautiful and exotic. These pictures were taken from “Sunset Point” which is located atop one of the hills close to the center of town. The tiny airport that serves the city was directly behind me where I took the pictures. This rest area, having such a romantic name, is populated with many onlookers as the sun declines. Elbowing tourists, protecting my position, and keeping an eye on my gear can be tricky, and I hate doing it, so... luckily for me, before the sun comes up, the area is pretty much vacant. The first picture was taken pre dawn. The sun would eventually rise behind my right shoulder and slowly bath the red rocks in the distance and creep down into the valley, and yet another day would begin in Sedona.

Nikon D800 Tamron 16-24mm f/2.8 @ 20mm f/9 ISO 100 1/15 sec

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 48mm f/9 ISO 100 1/40 sec

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 28mm f/9 ISO 100 1/200 sec

Sunrise Over the Red Rocks of Sedona

Everyone who reads this blog realizes that I enjoy a good sunrise. Traveling adds an extra dimension to this quest. Getting up early (especially on vacation) takes a certain mindset. Maybe a little crazy, possibly obsessed, definitely sleep deprived. Many mornings are unfulfilling and sometimes even discouraging, but sometimes, beauty presents itself in the landscape before you. This was one of those times.

Nikon D4 Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 @ 52mm f/6.3 ISO 450 1/250sec

A Different View

When you make the trip to Sedona, I highly recommend seeing it by balloon. Neither my wife nor I have ever ridden in a hot air balloon so we were a little apprehensive about what to expect. Turns out it was a few hours of breathtaking views and crisp morning air, absolutely delightful. We used Red Rock Balloons and they were professional, safe and hospitable. Looking up at the giant red rocks of Sedona gives you an indelible feeling of grandeur and power. The view from the air, eye level with the giants, allows a glimpse into nooks and intricacies etched into the stones from all angles, revealing facets unable to be seen from below. I recommended hiking the area a few days ago, which immerses you in the canyons. In a balloon the expanse of miles of the landscape rolls on and on. Hopefully the pictures can express what I saw since my words fall short.

My wife eagerly watching the balloon inflate

In the air watching the others

Amazing power of sunlight

The skill of our balloonist was impressive, we climbed up and gradually descended artfully.  

Just after dawn was the perfect time to be in the air.

Quite a few balloons were in our view, but they just enhanced and gave scale to the vistas

In the early morning rays of the sun our beautiful country certainly showed its wonder

That's us :)

From the depths of the canyons to the plateau to the mountains in the distance

Pictures taken on the NIkon D800 and D4 using Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6, Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 and Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses.

#TravelTuesday Cathedral Rock

Staying with the Sedona theme I wanted to call your attention to what is one of the most iconic views of the American Southwest. Cathedral Rock is easy to get to. It’s just a mile off highway 179, ten to fifteen minutes from downtown Sedona. Hiking is permitted up to some of the peaks, my wife and I did not make the climb (we had a plane to catch that evening, and a hospital stay would have delayed our departure). There is a state park on Forest Park Rd (fee) where you can walk 3 minutes to a stream and photograph this structure to your heart's content. These are a few of my favorites from different vantage points. When, and I highly recommend it, you visit to Sedona, even if you are not a hiker or trail runner, take an hour or two and relax at Cathedral Rock. (Bring your camera)

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 42mm f/18 ISO 100 30sec w/10 stop ND filter

Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 45mm f/14 ISO 100 30sec 10 stop ND filter