Trip to the Southwest- Havasupai Falls 2 of 2

Pictures from the latter half of our journey into the canyon:

 Mooney Falls from down-creek

One way to cross Havasu Creek

 Beaver Falls area from above

 Looking down on Beaver Falls

Level shots of Beaver Falls

 Havasu Falls from the hike out.

Trip to the Southwest- Havasupai Falls 1 of 2

Then the finale of the trip (nearly two months ago now)-- a 3-night stay on the Havasupai Reservation

 The Grand Canyon rim is very different than the inner canyons (and tributaries)

 White sandstone layers and open skies

 Scrub-like desert plants in rock crevices

 Michelle carrying a heavy load

 Then down into the canyon

 After 6 long miles

 The moon rises

 Canyon walls get larger, sky gets smaller

 Next morning... view from the tent

 Havasu Creek

 Mooney Falls

 Crystal blue waters (limestone-caused) reminded me of southern Thailand

 Unyielding water in an oasis deep into the heart of the desert

 Limestone deposits, cascading over time

Verdant green ferns, deep red rock, aquamarine flowing creek

Trip to the Southwest- Desert Magic!

Desert Magic is sleeping with the sounds of coyotes speaking, yelping, howling, crying, laughing, and sharing secrets in the dark. Desert Magic is dry, cold, quiet dusks and dawns. Desert Magic is all of the pieces falling into place at desert speed. Desert Magic is hot air balloon rides at sunrise. Desert Magic is professing one's love and having his partner return the confession. Engaged in a basket while floating in the sky- Desert Magic.

Trip to the Southwest- Grand Canyon

The third part of our week-long trip to the Southwest was to the Grand Canyon. In the hot air balloon in Sedona, one of the other passengers told us that the park had opened THAT morning because the state was going to fund it... so we got some camping gas in town and then headed north, up Oak Creek, from Sedona to Tusuyan and into the grand Canyon. Having just opened there were VERY few people there which was eerie considering how busy it was the following week. I figured they were keeping it private for my new fiance and me :)

 Budding juniper

 Yes, I still have the same fleece... it is now nine years old.

 Canis latrans?

 Tarantula!

 Colorado River from the east

 Western part of G.C. National Park... maybe Mojave Point

 California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) flying at sunset

 Light changes the canyon. Dusk with condors soaring

BULL ELK