So, here are two photos, the Readers Digest version of a southwestern U.S. vacation. It's something we should consider more often when looking over our treks away from home.
We've all seen pictures of Aunt Mary wandering down the beach in her non-flattering mauve bathing suit, the Grand Canyon (what, again? yawn) or a photo of a moose's feet (apparently, the head is on another picture somewhere).
It's a shock, I know, but people generally don't care about vacation photos unless they took them or are in them with their grandkids. And maybe if they are going to the same place next week.
With that in mind, here's my recent excellent adventure roundup. Slept in the van almost exclusively (most often at the poor man's RV park, all-night WalMarts), ate more PB&J sandwiches than most people do in a year and breathed nothing but fresh air for two weeks. Revisited many sites, saw a few new ones.
Drove washboard dirt roads to ghost towns so far off the main road that only the buzzards would know where to find me. Was amazed at the vibrant yellow aspen in Colorado on the first day, and was just as excited about them on the last day. Was humbled during visits to Navajo homes. Met many wonderful people. And I haven't shaved since I left.
So, here are the highlights of my 2010 September-October vacation in just two photos. I won't bore you with the other 800 pictures. You're welcome.
Bottom photo is scenery from the Four Corners area (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico).
The top photo is from my third visit to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Took a photo class there and learned that this is the most photographed single event in the world. It makes sense; nearly every one of the one million visitors to the fiesta has a camera, and wonderful pictures are everywhere.
You can't miss.
Fantastic photos!