Nothing like traveling to a National Monument and seeing a sign at the entrance telling you, "The road above the Visitor Center is closed. We are sorry for the inconvenience." Bummer! OK, time for Plan B. We drove up to the Visitor Center at Chiricahua National Monument to get the scoop. The overnight storm and high winds had caused some vulnerable trees to fall onto the road beyond the Visitor Center. The impact of the fire that ravaged the area three years ago was still being felt.
We could understand as the wind was still very strong and the clouds were threatening. Plan B was to hike areas that were still accessible. One of those was the Faraway Ranch. So, off we went. Of course, we spread out like cats, each with our own photography interests, whatever drew our attention. Enjoy. I am offering some minimal explanations below the images.
I would really encourage you to do some research on this fabulous National Monument. The ranch, located at the entrance to the Monument, was homesteaded by Neil Erickson and his wife. The story, the site, the imagery . . . so worth more exploration. Each of us wants to go back for the rest of that story.
There is one old building with an old sign that simply says 'Exhibits'. Hmmm . . . It is full of old treasures, photos, and stories. I was immediately drawn to the area below. An 'AHA' moment. The stone camera at Painted Desert and now this old camera. Next to both were stories about how photography was influential in moving a nation to preserve huge areas of precious land to be enjoyed by current and future generations. Photography, then and now, shapes how we think about our world. It influences events and calls to us to action. In Painted Desert I wanted to purchase copies of the postcards that were produced using the images captured by the stone camera but there were none for sale. At Chiricahua you can actually see some of the images, including one with Ed Riggs and Governor Hunt. It is a bit challenging to get a shot through reflecting glass, but the result was worth it.
To us, part of any photo trip is the getting to and returning to. The images below were taken on the road from Wilcox to the entrance. We stop often.
We photoggers are not without a sense of humor! I just want to know how Greg talked Tom into this tomfoolery. Oh, now that I think about it . . . tomfoolery comes natural to Tom! Don't get that fedora wet! Love him so much. . .
Back to Willcox for the night. We ate dinner at a nearby truck stop. We go back the next morning to see if the road had been cleared. Sweet dreams all around.