Anyone Want To Go?

Sedona is a very special place. The red rock is magnificent. The only downside is the new age crap that draws too many visitors and fills too many retail stores...If you can stay away from that, you will have more than enough drop dead gorgeous references for landscape work.
I used to go there every month...a short drive from Scottsdale but now a longer one from Tucson.

Thanks Marlene, I have seen some of Sedona and it is pretty stunning.

"The only downside is the new age crap that draws too many visitors and fills too many retail stores..." -- Marlene

Oh man... that is sooo.... true. I am glad someone else thinks that way. ;O)

bob

Sedona is a very beautiful area, many places to shoot. Bryce is a very cool place to see, and has trails that go up and down through the canyon, with some incredible places to shoot. Just make sure you bring lots of water and strong legs if you do a long Bryce hike.

When I was at Bryce, I turned a corner around some cool rock formations to head back up the trail, and a couple was butt naked having sex right on the trail. The girl screamed and started running up the side of the canyon to hide behind a tree, as she kept bending down to pull up her pants while running, but couldn't quite get them up . It was very funny

Bob, it's been that way for years...at least 25...I was in many galleries in Sedona and visiting regularly.... and I was already dodging the new agers running down Bell Rock screaming that they experienced one of the vortices.....it was comical and hardly authentical.
Don't get me started on the hot pink jeep tours...

Oh Marlene.. just get some of those nice big purple crystals... they will help you center your aura and become one with natural energies that surround you.. ;O)

The chemical enhancement doesn't hurt the aura either!

WoW. You guys sure have painted an interesting picture for me (pardon the pun)
So if I got this straight; I'll have Crystals and Zen at Sedona
And possible porn at Bryce?

Hmmm. This trip is looking less desirable by the moment.

NO... Go... you have to go... just stick to the natural beauty... explore the canyons.. camp out for the best sunrise and sunset photos... talk to the locals for the lesser known, less crowded areas.

Thanks Bob, Ill do that. Much appreciated.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g31352-d266950-r132837973-Center_for_the_New_Age-Sedona_Arizona.html

Brian... get google earth if you don't already have it installed.... free version is fine.

turn on the photos option and search around Sedona. Click on the image icons and you will get a good idea of where you might want to explore.

@ Bob, Thanks that sounds like a great idea, seems so obvious but just didn't do it. on it right now!
@ Billy, Thanks for the link, and whoa!

I have wanted to go to Bryce for sometime now. Sedona sounds like a perfect place for me if it has the red rocks. I don't get bothered by new agers they have always been kind to me. RI was the most hospitable place I have been in a long time and have hope to go back. North Carolina is a super place the people are down to earth good folks. South Carolina and Georgia are super. The beaches along Pawleys Island are so pure and white. I loved traveling

Sedona only has about 10,000 residents. But we have 4 million annual tourists. So the chances of running into a bonafide local are pretty slim!

The new-agers are gentle, friendly, and inquisitive. Many are way sexy, too, which enhances the already stunning scenery.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

So Brian whats the plan and how can everyone come with?

This movie sums up some of the local characters. Maybe Dan knows this guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD35GbPQDC8

.......

My wife and I took drive from Scottsdale to Sedona once. Fascinating change of scenery along the way from catus to some actual trees. I recall and ancient cliff dwelling on the way.

@ L Cecka The plan is to meet up and go through the so-called 4 corners hitting Sedona, Flagstaff, Moab, and Noy so much NM. But about a week out possibly
As far as Everybody? Not sure how thats going to work out, this is more of a two or three person trip. Hopefully.

Brian, I am a Utah native, still have a home there, and spend my winters in Arizona. First lets start with Sedona. Generally everything written so far is true but aside from some of the funky atmosphere, there are some great "shots" to be had. The suggestion that you plan some of your shooting areas ahead of time is a good one. It will cut down on some of your time there.
If you are traveling from there to Bryce Canyon National Park you will head north through Flagstaff and take Highway 89 north toward Page, AZ. The reason I mention this is that if you were planning on driving through Page, to see Lake Powell, you might have a problem. Last year Hwy 89 past the junction of 89/Alt89 washed out. It is steep and had a major landslide and I don't know if it will be fixed when you are planning on going so check it out before you leave. Otherwise, just take Alt89 through Jacob Lake and end up in Kanab, UT which puts you on 89 North again. (By the way, if you have not seen the Grand Canyon, definitely drop down to the North Rim from Jacob Lake. You will be glad you did.)
Bryce Canyon National Park is not too far from Kanab and if you have extra time, Zion National Park is just a hop/skip/jump from Mount Carmel Junction, which you go through. In Zion Park you look UP, in Bryce Park you look DOWN.
I don't know how much time you are allocating but one of the other popular areas in Utah's Nat. Parks in Arches N.P. and Canyonlands N.P. If you stay in Moab, UT you can visit both from there but these National Parks are on the eastern border of Utah and would take you a while to get there from Bryce but they are very worthwhile if you love arches.

@ Barbara; Thanks so much you probably just planned my whole trip LOL. But I really do thank you for your insights into the area and surrounding area, as I have only travelled through never taking enough time to stop. So Thus the reason for the trip, and I am looking forward to achieving my optical goals there. Thanks again!!

April in Bryce can be "cool" in more ways than one - snowed in '13 - and Zion is right next to it - if you visit Zion - take the tour - in spite of others - you'll see more than just driving through it and stopping when you can. I've passed by Sedona several times - stopped once - it's more than a "day trip" - as are most places.

Always check weather condition especially in Bryce Canyon region. The roads can be closed,winter is long season there.
For best shoots and hiking you'll need snow,clouds, and sun.
You'll need time for discovery.
At least two days for Bryce,one day for hike down canyon,One-two days for visiting Codachrome Basin with its arches and spikes,
Staircase Escalante,Petrified forest site.Local people are friendly, nature is majestic.
Check my image gallery
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/viktor-savchenko.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=119592

This is sounding like a massive trip to me. Bryce is only about a 2 hour drive from me so it would only make sense for me to go there first. To do all that its starting to sound like a large investment. I may just be able to join up for part of the trip. There is alot to be considered if there is hiking, camping etc......all my travel has been me and my dog with the most simplified conditions possible.

L Cecka I have family in Reno so I know that it is quite a trip with me being in the south I'm looking at 3 days by car IF I go that route I may opt to fly into SLC or Phoenix and get a rental a lot is up in the air right now But I had also planned to do the Carolinas and Adirondacks up to Maine so really it boils down to cost and time. I really want to get out to the west first since I'm closer obviously to the east but the logistics of meals, camping etc are still unknowns at this time. Thats why i'd like to get 2-3 people and go as a group to help offset costs etc. it would be a simplified trip because of the distance but feel free to shoot suggestions, Thanks

I spent 6 months doing the kind of travel you are talking about and I had my living expenses down to bare bones. But now I have a home in NV. I would love to go to all the places you are mentioning.. The thing is u don't know how people will travel together til u do it. Sounds like an RV situation. Maybe rent an RV. Then one or more could all join in with that. I suggest a smaller trip plan for a trial run. I think someone may have to rent an RV or borrow one from a friend. Then u can stay in the National parks for low cost

I guess this discussion came to a dead end! sorry folks:(

No its not dead I'm just at dinner I will respond in a few thanks

As Virginia woolf would say we must dine well in order to think well. Enjoy!

True, And never shop on an empty stomach.... so per the discussion, I'm probably going to fly out rent a SUV and start at Flagstaff and work my way over...

Okay sounds like good idea. I may consider going to Bryce National Park in the Spring which would depend on how much I get done this winter

Great! That wouldn't be too far for you and it would be great to have some differing perspectives on shots.

Every artist has there own viewpoint. I have wanted to go there. There are many other parks in that area also.