My Southwest Adventure - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/30/2007 03:10:43 PM · #1

My Southwest Adventure

I have listed several places that I'm going next week in my post. Any tips about these spots would be greatly appreciated :)

freakin_hilarious

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

04/30/2007 03:22:58 PM · #2

Sweet! First stop, Albuquerque! I've lived here basically my whole life (except for a few years at college). Of course, I haven't been into photography for very long, so I might not be much help as far as locations go. One thing I do recommend - head on up to Sandia Crest. You can either drive up or take the Tram. Awesome view of the city, especially around sunset.

More info: //www.sandiapeak.com/

Shoot me a PM once you get your schedule worked out. There is a remote possibility that we could get together (if you are so inclined). Things are pretty busy in Nathanland, so I have no idea if that will even be possible, but hey, it's worth a shot.

MadMan2k

Sony Alpha a6400

Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 Di III VXD

04/30/2007 03:40:24 PM · #3

The Sandia tram is a great idea. My dad and I went on that last September - it was pretty, but freezing (just about literally, and we weren't expecting that).

Stop by Kurt's Camera Corral on Central too, it's a good store.

If you were going in the fall, I'd suggest Haviland lake outside of Durango, CO, but it doesn't look very good this time of year. The Durango/Silverton narrow guage railroad might be a good one though, either to ride or shoot. I guess it doesn't have much relevance to your class, though...

Ristyz

Apple iPhone 12 Pro

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

04/30/2007 03:51:02 PM · #4

When you get into the neighborhood, pick up this map "Indian Country". It's the best map of the four corners area. It can be gotten at BLM offices and the like as well as most book stores and sometimes grocery stores.

Don't do the Sandia Peak Tramway on a day that's forcast to be very windy or you could end up at the top for hours, they will shut the tram down in high winds. (I once made it down on the car available car after shooting a wedding party up there!)

I live in Farmington, NM by the four corners, which is quite central to your listed locations and have been to most of them. I also lived in ABQ for many years. You may PM me for a phone number if you wish any more info.

-C

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

04/30/2007 03:54:09 PM · #5

My schedule isn't flexible since I'm going out with a group. We will be in Farmington for a couple nights though. We are staying at the Navaho Prep School while we are there...

Ristyz

Apple iPhone 12 Pro

04/30/2007 04:09:17 PM · #6

I understand..... still, pick up one of those maps.... or let me bring one to you when you're in Farm. I'm only about 4-5 miles from Navajo Prep and the BLM Office is on the way! When people ask where you went, no matter the state, it's on that map! (plus I'm a big map higlighter... I know some arent' interested in that!)

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/30/2007 04:31:24 PM · #7

Originally posted by Ristyz:

I'm looking for my ininerary...

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

04/30/2007 04:55:36 PM · #8

If you will be in or around Page or Phoenix AZ let me know and I'll point you to some great photo op places that may not be known to many outside the area.

Dseale

Sony Alpha a7 III

Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f1.8 ZA

04/30/2007 05:09:29 PM · #9

There are some awesome places very near to the Loretto Chapel that you're going to in santa fe, and they're all walking distance. I went on a SW road trip a couple summers ago and I had a great time.

San Miguel Mission

Palace of the Governors is a great place for street candids

Canyon Road has some cool stores on it.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis is an awesome church that isn't far from Loretto.

Message edited by author 2007-04-30 17:12:35.

PhantomEWO

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/30/2007 05:42:57 PM · #10

For me Mesa Verde is best in the afternoon. The main cliff dwellings mostly face the setting sun. In the morning or mid day they will be mostly in shadows., sounds like fun.

PhantomEWO

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/30/2007 05:54:38 PM · #11

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

My schedule isn't flexible since I'm going out with a group. We will be in Farmington for a couple nights though. We are staying at the Navaho Prep School while we are there...

Farmington in right in the middle of Indian country. Just down the road is Shiprock.

. On the rocks on the edge of the road between Farmington and Shiprock are tons of petroglyphs. Many are just a few feet off the main highway. Around Shiprock you can find lots of small "modern" indian villages. One of the best places to see undistrubed Indian ruins in not far away in Montezuma Creek just outside of Monticello. There are dozens of old villages, so easy to pickup a bushel basket of pottery pieces in a few minutes. Also not far from Four Corners is Hovenweep National Monument. There is so much to see and do. Sounds like fun.

04/30/2007 07:01:30 PM · #12

We will be in the following cities on the following nights:

May 6 - Albuquerque, NM
May 7 - Farmington, NM
May 8 - Farmington, NM
May 9 - Farmington, NM
May 10 - Tuba City, AZ
May 11 - Tuba City, AZ
May 12 - Albuquerque, NM
May 13 - Albuquerque, NM

I don't have my site visit agenda handy. I'll get a fresh copy of that tomorrow and post it.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

05/01/2007 01:05:01 PM · #13

Itinerary:

May 5 - Hickory, NC to Clarksville, AR Drive
May 6 - Clarksville, AR to Albuquerque, NM Drive + OK City Tour
May 7 - Petroglyph National Monument / Acoma Pueblo
May 8 - Aztec Ruins / Chaco Canyon
May 9 - Mesa Verde / 4-Corners
May 10 - Navajo Prep School / Tuba City, AZ
May 11 - Grand Canyon
May 12 - Hopi Cultural Center / Canyon de Chelly
May 13 - Loretto Chapel / Glorieta Pass / Bandelier
May 14 - Albuquerque, NM to Clarksville, AR Drive
May 15 - Clarksville, AR to Hickory, NC Drive

These are all of the sites we'll be visiting.

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

05/01/2007 01:18:14 PM · #14

We had an interesting experience in Tuba City years ago. We had driven to California, and were making our way back east with stops at various attractions along the way. We had visited the Grand Canyon, and started heading east to find somewhere to stay.

Tuba City was the next town of any size, and we stopped to ask someone where we could find lodging. At the time, there was only one hotel in town, and it was full, but someone told us there was also "a hotel at the high school." Well, it turned out that the "hotel" WAS the high school.

During the school year, Native American children actually stay at the school at dorms, much like college, because they service a huge geographic area. Then during the summer, a group of students actually runs the dorms as a hotel. They called it "NASE" (Native American Student Exchange).

With few other options, we stayed there for something like $16 a night. They advertised all sorts of amenities, like a pool (you weren't allowed to use it!), TV (in a shared lounge, and it received 1 channel), game room (a room with a checkerboard with no pieces), etc.

Our room was a small dorm room with bathrooms down the hall and bunk beds. It wasn't exactly luxurious, but we made the best of it -- it made for an interesting experience, anyway!

The Painted Dessert is in this general vicinity, if I'm not mistaken. That whole area was beautiful.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

05/01/2007 01:37:45 PM · #15

Have your ultrawide ready to go in the Loretto Chapel. It's a beautiful place with an interesting story about "The Miraculous Staircaise", although they've made it a bit touristy for a church.

Sounds like a great trip John, I looking forward to seeing your photos. Have fun!

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

05/01/2007 01:43:54 PM · #16

I'm taking three lenses and maybe a fourth if i have room in my bag. I plan to take the 10-20, 24-70, and the 70-200. If i can squeeze it in, i'll take the 17-40 as well.

I'm taking one of the mini-manfrotto tripods so i won't have to lug my big one around so much.

Ristyz

Apple iPhone 12 Pro

05/01/2007 01:52:35 PM · #17

You'll be glad to know that Tuba City now has a few hotels..... if you park real close to one of them you can borrow some bandwidth fot submitting DPC entries! (I entered my 'time' entry there after hacking my post processing on the lappy in the car and before completing my drive home!)

John, did you get my PM? I don't think my PMs go through now since I've had 0 replys in 3 or 4 PMs over the 2 months so I'm wondering..... (not all you, you just got one).

05/01/2007 01:59:30 PM · #18

Originally posted by Ristyz:

I probably have it, but i filter DPC mail into a folder and don't look at it every day.. i'll look when I get home..

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

05/03/2007 12:43:58 AM · #19

We will be writing to a blog while we are on this trip. We hope to be able to update it every day, pending no technical failures.

//cvcc-swa.blogspot.com

Tag along with us if you like :)

Cutter

Nikon D700

05/03/2007 01:28:16 AM · #20

Just got back from traveling these exact places....pm me if you have specific questions.

Artifacts

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/03/2007 02:00:19 AM · #21

I realize you don't need to add more to your itinerary but I have a couple recommendations... :)

1-Dinosaur Tracks:
There is a stop right beside the road about 8 miles west of Tuba City called Dinosaur Tracks or maybe Jurrasic Park now. Its just off the road and you'll drive right by it both going and returning from the Grand Canyon. It is a quick pit stop that doesn't look like much from the road and a Navajo family that lives there will provide archeological misinformation about the tracks and will want a small donation but it is well worth a half hour or so to see and photograph. It is an ancient exposed river bed where real velociraptor dinosaur footprints and at least one small skeleton are preserved in fossilized mud. Its a very rare thing to see:

...

2-Monument Valley:
Based on what I read it looks like you will also go near Kayenta once or twice which is about 70 miles east of Tuba City. From there it is only about 25 miles to Monument Valley, easily as good a photo opportunity as the Grand Canyon itself. Its about 50 extra miles of driving there and back for a quick trip up to the entrance and a vista of the famous Mintons and some classic Monument Valley panoramas. But to do the place justice and for a fee of about $15/vehicle you would want to take the self-guided 19 mile loop drive on a dirt road to really see the place. That, unfortunately, would probably take a half day total, but worth serious consideration.

05/03/2007 02:28:33 PM · #22

Originally posted by stdavidson:

I realize you don't need to add more to your itinerary but I have a couple recommendations... :)

Those all look good and I do know that I will be through monument valley. I'm not sure what time of day it will be, but we are planning to stop alongside the road at some point there to shoot a few photos. I won't be able to do the loop though. The schedule we will be on won't have a lot of 'flex' so we'll see what happens :)

Artifacts

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

05/03/2007 03:26:07 PM · #23

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Originally posted by stdavidson:
I realize you don't need to add more to your itinerary but I have a couple recommendations... :)

Those all look good and I do know that I will be through monument valley. I'm not sure what time of day it will be, but we are planning to stop alongside the road at some point there to shoot a few photos. I won't be able to do the loop though. The schedule we will be on won't have a lot of 'flex' so we'll see what happens :)

If driving by Monument Valley on Arizona highway 160 past Kayenta you will not see Monument Valley vistas and will be disappointed. Though interesting it will not be special.

If you are driving by Monument Valley on Arizona Highway 163 then you will be able to get many nice classic Monument Valley vistas along the highway. But then drive the extra two miles to the visitor center off the highway for pictures of the Mintons and other vistas. Costs nothing to do that and takes little extra time when on a tight schedule.

Have a GREAT trip!!