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08/25/2005 10:53:41 AM · #1 |
My husband and I will be doing a major road trip around the US one last time before leaving the country for good- on the road for the entire month of October, going places we've never been. I could use some suggestions on best places to shoot in these locales! We'll only be in each spot for a few days, so the "can't miss" stuff would be very helpful:
Washington DC
New York City (been there before but not since I've been a shooter)
Boston (same as above)
Ascot, Quebec
Prince Edward Island
Nova Scotia
Buffalo, NY/ Niagara Falls
Mount Rushmore
Yellowstone
Brian Head, UT (which of Utah's national parks are most worth going to from Brian Head? In mid to late Oct?)
Obviously we're tromping all over the northeast - I'm thinking we'll have lots of opportunities to see some amazing fall color (that will be early to mid October)- so any suggestions for best fall color locations would be great too!
After this trip we'll be spending a month in CA visiting my family, then moving to Australia! All my road trip photos after that point will look decidedly different ;)
Thanks in advance!!
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08/25/2005 11:17:53 AM · #2 |
I've heard some people say recently that Glacier National Park might be even prettier than Yellowstone (and way fewer tourists).
When you get to California, I highly recommend driving the coast (Route 1) for as much of it as possible -- slow but highly scenic. |
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08/25/2005 11:32:19 AM · #3 |
The two can't miss parks in Utah are Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, both within reach of where you'll be.
Your enjoyment of Zion will sort of depend on your fitness level. The park can be enjoyed from some lookouts, but you really have to do some hiking to see the sights.
If you are in shape, Angels Landing was one of the best hikes I ever did. 5 mile round trip, straight up to a sheer cliff overlook.....but if you're not in shape you will have a heart attack and die.
The Narrows is much easier and probably THE best hike I've ever done...you walk right in the middle of the river, and the walls of the canyone close in around you at some points 20 feet across and 500 feet high. It's truly amazing and something you'll always remember.
Bryce Canyon is one of the most unique places on Earth and you can see most of that from the lookouts. There are also hikes you can take down into the canyon from mild to extremely strenuous.
You could also shoot from Zion down to Page, AZ to hit Antelope Canyon. Here is a picture of that:
All my Zion and Bryce photos are on film but maybe later I can scan one. As far as the other places go, I live in the NE and the foliage around that time is great everywhere...maybe AAA can recommend scenic drives around the areas you'll be visiting. |
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08/25/2005 11:36:30 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I've heard some people say recently that Glacier National Park might be even prettier than Yellowstone (and way fewer tourists). |
Ooh, thanks for the tip! We may have to go into Yellowstone for a day or two anyway, just cause it's Yellowstone! I will definitely check out Glacier though.
Originally posted by GeneralE:
When you get to California, I highly recommend driving the coast (Route 1) for as much of it as possible -- slow but highly scenic. |
We did the coast of California in July! (You have to view the trip in reverse order though, sorry about that ;)
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08/25/2005 11:39:24 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by rscorp:
If you are in shape, Angels Landing was one of the best hikes I ever did. 5 mile round trip, straight up to a sheer cliff overlook.....but if you're not in shape you will have a heart attack and die. |
Hmmm, better not chance it :)
Originally posted by rscorp:
The Narrows is much easier and probably THE best hike I've ever done...It's truly amazing and something you'll always remember. |
Cool! Adding it to the list.
Originally posted by rscorp:
You could also shoot from Zion down to Page, AZ to hit Antelope Canyon. |
Yep, been thinking of that too. How much strenuous hiking is required?
Originally posted by rscorp:
I live in the NE and the foliage around that time is great everywhere...maybe AAA can recommend scenic drives around the areas you'll be visiting. |
See, this is why I'm so glad I posted here- that is an excellent idea. Thank you!!
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08/25/2005 11:43:12 AM · #6 |
Antelope Canyon is not strenuous at all. There are actually two areas, Upper and Lower. I think Upper is the one you want to go to but you can check on any website. The one I went to, the Navaho's drive you out to the entrance ( it's on their land ) and you literally just walk right into this huge crack in the earth. Flat, maybe 150 yards long, and flippin' extraordinary. Make sure you go at the right time of day ( I think around noon ) so you get the right angle of light falling in from the top. Easy walk.
The other side from what I hear is not much harder, you might just have to decend a ladder to get in it. |
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08/25/2005 11:58:02 AM · #7 |
If you're going to be in DC, you almost have to do Skyline Drive in Va. It follows along the mountains from Northwestern Va to Tennessee where you can then hit the Smokies (another beautiful place) in North Carolina. If you like caves, there are quite a few on your route.
The colors in Shenandoah Valley in the fall are amazing.
Enjoy - sounds like it'll be a great trip!
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08/25/2005 06:26:11 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by dahkota:
If you're going to be in DC, you almost have to do Skyline Drive in Va. The colors in Shenandoah Valley in the fall are amazing.
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Hey cool, thanks for that! We just rearranged our trip a bit to make more time for it- great suggestion!
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08/25/2005 06:33:42 PM · #9 |
I highly recommend Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, two gorgeous places. Antelope canyon is not to be missed.
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08/26/2005 10:21:11 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Ennil:
I highly recommend Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, two gorgeous places. Antelope canyon is not to be missed. |
Thanks for that- it's definitely moved higher on my priority list- that's during the last half of the trip, which isn't very well defined yet, but we're workin' on it. I really want to make that happen.
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08/26/2005 10:32:38 AM · #11 |
Shouldn't Cape Cod be on your list? It's one of America's finer places, geologically speaking. Noplace else quite like it.
Robt.
Message edited by author 2005-08-26 10:33:08.
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08/26/2005 10:34:19 AM · #12 |
| On your way to Niagara, take a swing through the Finger Lakes. They're beautiful, especially that time of year. |
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08/26/2005 10:39:11 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by eqsite:
On your way to Niagara, take a swing through the Finger Lakes. They're beautiful, especially that time of year. |
I second this. Let eqsite and kadi know when/if you come through so we can "do lunch" and show you some gorgeous gorges, vinyards, etc. |
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08/26/2005 10:46:02 AM · #14 |
I'm not the jealous sort of person, but this sort of trip makes me green with envy! Sounds awesome and I hope you will be safe and everything will go well. And THEN...I can't wait to see you share all of your pictures here!
The gtg in DC for nighttime monument shooting was great. I really think the metro DC area was better for photography at night. Not as hot, not as crowded, and well lit. |
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08/26/2005 11:19:52 AM · #15 |
I know it's been said - but you really need to hit Antelope Canyon... and bring a tripod down in with you. It is one of the most photographed spots in the US (maybe World?). Even though I've been before I would not leave the country without going back again.
Best times to be inside are about 10am - 1pm (depending on season). |
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08/26/2005 11:20:19 AM · #16 |
Robert you are right, Upper Antelope Canyon is the one I would suggest. The lower is the one you have to climb ladders to get in and out of. It is considerably more difficult to access.
Mid to late morning is the best time to go to the upper Antelope Canyon to catch the sun rays, we got there to late and missed the rays.
If you decide to go to Upper Antelope Canyon, go straight to the Navajo Reservation and pay them to gain access. The guided tours are very expensive! We checked a couple of them in town and they were just around $100 and I think that was for 1 person. If money is not an option the guided tours may be nice, they claim they will help you in getting the shots you want (sun rays and etc).
I think the costs at the Navajo Reservation for permit to access the land and the entry fee were around $30-40 (2 people).
You will need a tripod for photographing inside the Canyon, also you have to be very patient there are numerous professional photographers that go to this site! You will need to allow others to get their shots before proceeding through the Canyon.
One reason I enjoyed going through with the Navajo is that they have vehicles going in and out about every half hour or hour and we stayed behind and just caught the next vehicle back to the entrance. Gave me more time in between all the tours :)
Oh and be sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes! You will have to walk some in sand and it can be tricky in the wrong shoes :) Also be aware that the ride out to the Canyon can be a little bumpy across the packed sand roads.
I'm not trying to discourage you :) Antelope Canyon is one of the highest rated locations for amateur and professional photographers.
Hope you enjoy it and have lots of fun!
Originally posted by rscorp:
Antelope Canyon is not strenuous at all. There are actually two areas, Upper and Lower. I think Upper is the one you want to go to but you can check on any website. The one I went to, the Navaho's drive you out to the entrance ( it's on their land ) and you literally just walk right into this huge crack in the earth. Flat, maybe 150 yards long, and flippin' extraordinary. Make sure you go at the right time of day ( I think around noon ) so you get the right angle of light falling in from the top. Easy walk.
The other side from what I hear is not much harder, you might just have to decend a ladder to get in it. |
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08/26/2005 11:22:33 AM · #17 |
Andi, you say "before leaving the country for good", where are you heading?
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08/26/2005 11:35:18 AM · #18 |
I forgot to mention one thing!
When you are driving through Arizona and Utah around the National Parks and Canyons be aware of all the Mule Deer and Elk! Especially early morning or late afternoon. And be prepared to stop quickly, when visitors see the Deer along side the road they tend to stop real quick to look and get shots.
It really saddened us to see all the Mule Deer that were struck by cars around the National Parks! Especially The Grand Canyon, Zion Canyon, and Bryce Canyon. That would have really spoiled our trip in a hurry!
I reminded Penny when we were driving through Deer areas to slow down and be alert.
When we were entering the Zion Canyon area (Less than 5 miles) I think we counted 5 Mule Deer along side of the road that were struck by cars.
I took this shot as we were leaving the Grand Canyon:
Sorry if I'm whining, but we love wildlife :)
Edit additional note:
One morning in Bryce Canyon around 6:00am (Up for Sunrise shots) I was talking to one of the park Rangers and he told me that a few days before we arrived a Toyota tangled with and Elk in the park and I don't think I have to tell you taht the Toyota lost!
He was on his way down into the Canyon to look for illegal Deer/Elk hunters, and he was "heavily" armed :)
Message edited by author 2005-08-26 11:41:10.
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08/26/2005 12:29:05 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by RHoldenSr:
Andi, you say "before leaving the country for good", where are you heading? |
Australia! My husband is Australian, we're heading back to his home state. If you're *really* interested, you can read our story here. It is the most romantic story on earth (no I'm not biased! :D), so worth the read. This is the story about the most recent decision, and it's a much shorter story ;)
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08/26/2005 12:30:07 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by RHoldenSr:
When you are driving through Arizona and Utah around the National Parks and Canyons be aware of all the Mule Deer and Elk! |
Will do!
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08/26/2005 12:31:15 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by ahaze:
...Brian Head, UT (which of Utah's national parks are most worth going to from Brian Head? In mid to late Oct?) |
I would also suggest going to Arches National Park if you get a chance.
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08/26/2005 01:36:42 PM · #22 |
It's a bit far but Tahquamenon Falls in the Upper Penninsula is great.
Tahquamenon Falls
List of Water Falls in Upper Michigan
Fall colors
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08/26/2005 01:40:59 PM · #23 |
Those sites have awful photos of such beautiful nature ! |
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08/26/2005 05:12:13 PM · #24 |
Ya they do have very bad photos. Which is why its up to Ahaze to take very good photos.
(honestly the pictures there don't even begin to come close to how cool it is.) Which I would guess is why MI isn't crowded with crap loads of people to see them. :)
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08/26/2005 07:14:12 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by darkyoda:
It's a bit far but... |
Yeah, considering how long our drive already is, I don't know if we'd be able to add in even more drive time ;)
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