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Jeep Trip In Death Valley

We took a little jeep trip today with friends. It was an all day adventure up an obscure canyon on the west side of Death Valley. We were shooting for a client... It's great getting paid to do what you love.

Bad Water

Welcome to the lowest place in North America. This is place is called Bad Water and it is located in Death Valley, California. These incredible patterns in the dry lake bed are caused by water evaporating and leaving the salt behind. Standing amongst these salt polygons is like being on another planet. Death Valley is a never ending source of amazement.

Salt Creek, Death Valley CA

Salt creek is a salt water river. Who would have even thought that possible? It flows through Death Valley and at this time of year, December, it is not much more than a trickle. In places it dips beneath the surface only to appear again a bit "down stream". Eventually it sinks into the sands of the basin, not to be seen again. It is the home of one of many varieties of desert pupfish that actually have adapted and thrive in the salty water. Everywhere you turn, there is beauty and wonder in this amazing place. (click image for larger view)

Death Valley Movie

This is a little movie we put together to give you a taste of Death Valley, a most remarkable place.

Artist Pallet

Found this big raven sitting on a rock posing in front of Artist's Pallet, Death Valley National Park

20 Mule Team Canyon2

We are in Death Valley. One of our favorite spots is 20 Mule Team Canyon. If you think you have seen hot and dry, you haven't seen nuttin' until you've been here.... It is spectacular!!

Valley Of Fire

The Valley Of Fire is Nevada's first state park. The colors and textures are amazing. It is a short 50 miles from Las Vegas yet few take the time to visit.....

Las Vegas Office

Another tough day at the office in Las Vegas!!

Loneliest Road In America

We are working on our latest documentary about the Las Vegas water grab attempts. We are in Delta Utah and recently took a rather lengthy drive along what is often called the loneliest road in America. It is US highway 50. We learned why it earned this name. No services, no cell coverage and, well, nothing... here is a photo we took. It has earned its name!! Click on image for the full size version

Don't Need Roads

Took a little 4WD adventure today outside of Moab. Spectacular country and no, we don't need a road....

Arches National Park

Spent some time in Arches National Park today..... Just too beautiful!!
This is Balanced Rock. I just love this place....
The other shot is "Park Avenue" and is equally a awesome. I would heartily suggest a trip here.

Mesa Verde Burn

There can even be beauty in destruction. This once lush forest in Mesa Verde National Park stands decimated from fire, and yet its beauty, texture and colors show nature's handiwork. This image was taken moments before sunset this evening.... To be witness to this was way out beyond awesome.

Rio Grande River Gorge

This is the Rio Grande River Gorge. We took a little Jeep trip along the west rim and down through the middle. We crossed the Rio Grande at the Taos Junction. It was just beautiful.

Dining Car

An old train dining car. Still in use, albeit in a railroad museum..
This was in a little town outside of Santa Fe. The old railway station is still in use. It is called Lamy. Talk about a blast from the past.

And Along Came A Spider

We took a little road trip photographing New Mexico ghost towns and found this beautiful female cat face spider devouring a fly. Very, very impressive! For the whole thing CLICK ME.

Windmill

As we explored some of the high desert on the outskirts of Santa Fe, we found this windmill (and a lot of others) standing out against the billowing clouds of the New Mexico sky..... beautiful!!

Roasting Chiles

Now here is what you do in Santa Fe this time of year. You roast chiles and devour them. This is a photo of Trixi's chiles sizzling on our patio. They were delicious..

San Miguel Chapel

San Miguel Chapel in Santa Fe is said to be the oldest standing church structure in the US.

A lot of history here... Santa Fe was founded in 1610 and is currently gearing up for a 15 month 400th anniversary celebration. Quite a place. (Click for full size image)

We took a little walk in Santa Fe today along Canyon Road. It is also known as gallery road. This is what greets you as your turn onto Canyon Road. It gives a whole new meaning to "losing face"... Bad pun.

Santa Fe Lightning

Trixi shot this one from out our Motor-Home window. A lightning strike in an RV Resort is quite a site, especially when you are staying there..... EEEEEEE-HAAAAAA....

Spanish Market

Once a year Santa Fe hosts the "Spanish Market". It gives festive a whole new meaning. This is a mariachi band. It was a wonderful day enjoying the fiesta!! CLICK FOR HIGH RES VIDEO
CLICK FOR LOW RES VIDEO

Native American Market Place

Seven days a week there is an Indian Market Place in downtown Santa Fe. There are multiple tribes represented selling their hand-made art. Pretty impressive. They have to draw lottery numbers at 8 every morning to get a spot. Some win, some don't. Anyway, here is a quick shot of what it looks like.

Santa Fe Mall

We've been spending quite a bit of time shooting downtown Santa Fe as part of our project. This view of the Mall was beautiful. Keep in mind I HATE malls and for me do like one it has to be pretty special. (Click photo for larger view)

Cooking Class

OK.... We're in Santa Fe. Trixi discovered the Santa Fe School of Cooking. She took a class today. Still another reason to love this wonderful woman. I just can't wait. This is a photo of what she learned to make today. I rest my case, there is a God!!

My favorite indian

We made the trek to Santa Fe New Mexico and we love this place. We did a little tour of some of the galleries. This is a photo of a life size bronze of an American Indian. Fantastic!! The color, the detail and the texture were so lifelike. This guy looks like he is ready for business.

Gallup NM

Well after 7 beautiful days in Sedona Arizona (with no internet so no blog entries) we have arrived in Gallup New Mexico and the drive was spectacular. We will be staying here for a night and then on to Santa Fe. As usual, Trixi did the driving and I carefully navigated... The drive from Sedona to Flagstaff up Hwy 89A was a gas... we loved it. As you can tell from the video we listened to an audio-book along the way which made the time fly!

Mr. Fix-It

We have been getting ready for our next assignment on the road. There we were, ready to go and wouldn't you know it, the internet satellite dish went south. (It's supposed to point south, not go south). It would not contact the satellite, the GPS was toast and worst of all, it would not come down. Driving somewhere with that large sail on the top is not an option. So here I am fixing it. I have a headset on talking to tech support as I changed the upper control board. After I baked in the sun for a while it finally was back up and running. Trixi had a great time taking videos of the rooftop techno guru...

The Chicken Ranch

We decided that no trip to Pahrump Nevada was complete without driving by one of the few remaining lawful brothels in the United States. It is called "The Chicken Ranch". We didn't see any chickens but we did see one patron greeted by a chick at the door. Very colorful! (Click picture for larger image)

Wagons HO!

It's hot and dusty here in many places but near the Furnace Creek Golf Course we found a lot of history snuggled up against palm trees and green grass. This old horse drawn wagon is a great example of the collision between today and yesterday. There is such beauty here against the bluest skies you have EVER seen. (Click Photo For Full Size Version)

Gonna Get Hot

Oh yes.... There IS a reason they call it "Death Valley"...

Golden Canyon From Zabriskie Point

An unbelievable view from Zabriskie Point looking down Golden Canyon. Click Photo for 7 minute Death Valley Movie.

Hot

You think it's hot here? Where'd you get your first clue. Wait until summer when it REALLY gets hot.

Road To Death Valley

It is not hard to imagine that this area was once covered by a large magnificent lake called Lake Manly. Being there is truly amazing. Click the image for full size photo. Click HERE for more information about Lake Manly.

Solar Panels

We were treated to a tour of the Solar Farm here at Death Valley.  It produces about 1 million watts of electrical energy at peak capacity, and peak capacity happens a lot here in the land of the sun.  It was fascinating and the technology shows great promise.  The magic of death valley continues.  Click the photo for the full size version.

Scotty's Castle

Scotty's Castle is a must see if you go to Death Valley.  Quite a place.  (click on photo for full size image) For more information click HERE.

Dante's Overlook

The view from Dante's Overlook.  You can see pretty much the entire Death Valley basin.  Click the photo for the larger view.  This place is beautiful!

Desert Blooms

More beautiful desert flowers.  Click the image for full size.

Zabriskie Point

This is the parking lot at Zabriskie point at sunset. Just beautiful. Also here is a great video of Death Valley we put together. Make sure your sound is turned up.

Click Me For A Great Death Valley Video

More Sphinx Moth Caterpillars

I don't know. Maybe you are getting tired of these guys. But these caterpillars, the sphinx moth (also nown as the humming bird moth) is just so beautiful that when I spotted three of them together, I just couldn't resist. Welcome to Death Vallely. (Click photo for full size image).

Desert Flowers

This scene is about a mile below the mouth of Hole In The Wall Canyon, Death Valley. As you can see, the spring wild flowers have arrived. The contrasts and the colors are unforgettable. (Click on photo for full size view).

20 Mule Team Canyon

This is 20 Mule Team Canyon. The colors are just nothing short of spectacular. Click the image for full size.

Hole In The Wall, Death Valley

We went 4-wheeling it into Hole In The Wall in Death Valley today. Here it is. Fantastic country.

Titus Canyon Via Google

This is titus canyon via google earth and satellite imagery. Gives you a little better idea of what this area is like. AWESOME!

Titus Canyon

This is Titus Canyon. We have made two trips here so far and the geology is mind-shattering. It is a narrow canyon with huge jutting canyon walls on each side. The rocks were thrust upward when the North American Plate and the Pacific Plate started their battle. And the battle continues. Just standing in this geological war-zone is a magic experience.

Caterpillar

Once a year, in the spring, the wildflowers bloom in Death Valley. The little critters that eat wild flowers also come out! Here is one of each.

Pupfish Mating

The endangered desert Pupfish is a rare and amazing sight. These fish defy all odds. To just see one is rare enough, but we actually filmed a pair mating. We have the footage in HD and we are ecstatic. Please enjoy this low res version. We loved the opportunity to watch it in person!

I thought it might be fun for you to see a little video clip we took of the wild burrows.. Very beautiful animals.

Rhyolite

This is a photo of a ghost town named Rhyolite just outside the boundary of Death Valley National Park. We visited there today and took so many beautiful images of a lost time and place that it boggled us. We were also lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some wild burrows, common to the Death Valley area but a totally new sight to myself and Trixi. They were much larger and more beautiful than I had imagined.

How Low Can You Go

OK.... Here I am at the lowest place in the northern hemisphere. Pretty nifty huh? I shall hence forth be known as Bad-Water-Bret. Catchy ain't it?

Artist Drive

There simply are no words to adequately describe Death Valley. This place is just magic.