In what has become an annual tradition, Mike and his friend Paul picked a destination for a week of exploring, hiking and photography. In 2015 they headed off to the state of Arizona and the wonders of the southwest desert.
Arriving in Phoenix, they drove first to Tuscon and the Saguaro cactus (right); then on to the Sedona area, the Grand Canyon, and the Navajo canyonlands and valleys of the north; then back south to Canyon de Chelly and the Petrified Forest, before returning to Phoenix. Along the way, they were joined by Paul's sons, Colin and Garin.
The red rocks of Sedona
That's Colin in the photo above, right.
Bright Angel Trail, above
These were taken by Paul in Lower Antelope Canyon, a narrow slot canyon of eroded sandstone on Navajo park lands near the city of Page.
Paul took a photography walk in the canyon. His son Garin is in the lower right photo.
The area around Page included two other destination points. The Glen Canyon Recreation Area includes Horseshoe Bend, where they were treated to the sight of a rainbow in the canyon, right.
Below, Monument Valley, also on Navajo lands, is a popular location for western movies. Mike took the opportunity to pose for a picture at John Ford Point.
Canyon de Chelly, above, is a US National Monument on Navajo lands,
and a center of Native American culture and history.
In Holbrook, near Petrified Forest National Park, Mike and Paul encountered snow. From there, they drove back to Phoenix for the flight home. This last drive crossed a snowy pass in Tonto National Forest, a stark contrast with the rest of their week in Arizona.