In The Canyons
Winter in Zion National Park tends to be mild with cold temperatures, rain, and sometimes snow. Zion is located at a low altitude of 615 feet, so when snow falls it doesn’t last for long.
Zion’s canyons are mostly made of layers of sedimentary rock. These rock layers were deposited between 110 - 270 million years ago.
Fog forms in Zion National Park when water droplets in the atmosphere come together to form a thick haze close to the ground. The water droplets arise from temperature changes in a humid area, such as a warm breeze over a cool lake.
The steep hike to Angels Landing is 2.6-miles via switchbacks along a canyon in Zion National Park. The last half-mile of the hike includes scaling a cliff while holding onto a chain.
The Dry Desert
Driving through Valley of Fire State Park feels otherworldly while surrounded by bright red Aztec sandstone and tan limestone. These formations in southeastern Nevada are the result of sand dunes eroding 150 million years ago.
Thousands of years ago giant sloths planted Joshua Trees by eating the seeds and passing them throughout the Mojave Desert. Ever since the sloths’ extinction, around 10,000 years ago, the Joshua Tree population has declined and will continue to decline due to fluctuating temperatures, wildfires, and urban expansion in the desert.
A full harvest moon rises above canyons in Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park. This harvest moon allows for a few extra minutes of light after the sun has set.
A feral cat peers from the roof of the Area 51 Alien Cathouse in Amargosa Valley, Nevada. The brothel caters to extraterrestrial fantasies and invites guests to stay in rooms for a few hours to a few weeks.
The sun rises over Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park . The multi-colored hills were created by the force of water.
Rainbow colors streak across the sky minutes before the sunrise at Zabriskie Point. Manly Beacon, the center spire, juts above the badlands at an elevation of 823 ft.
A waxing moon is setting in Joshua Tree National Park. Because Joshua Trees do not have tree rings, scientists use their height and branch count to estimate their age.
The moon shines above Palm Springs as seen from Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park. The easily accessible peak features a panoramic view of Coachella Valley and summits Mount San Jacinto and Mount Gorgonio.
Monument House was built in Joshua Tree in 1989 by experimental architect Josh Schweitzer. The house was built as a family vacation home but does not seem to be inhabited anymore.
A new moon in Joshua Tree National Park brings starry skies while light pollution results in a glow over distant mountains. After the sun sets the desert often becomes frigid and windy.
The Strange Past and Frightening Future of Joshua Tree
Road Tripping Through Central America
Mormons traveled to Wyoming in the 1890s to establish a community known today as Mormon Row. Settlers built 27 homesteads which are still standing today in Grand Teton National Park.
Anemone Geyser in Yellowstone National Park is made up of two geysers and has an average temperature of 184.8˚F. The majority of the world’s geysers are found near this geyser in Upper Geyser Basin.
Fog rests upon Upper Jade Lake in Wyoming at sunrise. This five-mile trail features multiple lakes and, if you’re lucky, a team of horses galloping along the dirt path.
Bison stampede to a nearby lake right after sun rise in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone is home to the largest bison population on public land where thousands of bison roam throughout the park.
Pacific Northwest
Mountains peak through clouds at Hurricane Ridge, which is named after its intense wind, in Washington. Olympic National Park receives 400 inches of snowfall annually.
Fog rises to the tree tops during an early morning in Sequim. This northern Washington town has earned the nickname “Sunny Sequim” because it is found in the rain shadow of Olympic National Park, so it only receives an average of 16 inches of rain annually.
The sky turns pink as the sun sets behind Mount Rainier, which is an active volcano. This mountain is the most glaciated peak in the Contiguous US and has an elevation of 14,410 feet.
The total solar eclipse occurred at 10:20 a.m. on August 21, 2017 in Ashwood, Oregon. Temperatures decreased and shadows elongated as the new moon made its way in between the sun and the earth. Read blog post.
Backpacking Europe
Fog lingers around Kalkkögel on a cool, summer morning. This eastern Austrian mountain range can easily be reached via cable car from Fulpmes.
The Buda Castle is lit up on a summer evening as seen from Gellert Hill. The castle is home to the Hungarian National Gallery and The Budapest History Museum.
A herd of cows appear on the Naturlehrweg Trail at Schlick 2000 in Austria. Booming moos and the jingles of bells hanging around their necks were the only sounds echoing throughout the silent mountain range.
On Lake Michigan
Snowstorms and windchill cause Lake Michigan to freeze over during the winter. Crashing waves turned into ice as the water froze against the St. Joseph Lighthouse.
Chicago rests upon frozen Lake Michigan during a frigid sunrise. Many ice formations can be seen on the lake during winter including pancake ice, ice volcanos, and ice shards.
Pink clouds reflect along the Chicago skyline as seen from the Adler Planetarium. Early mornings bring solitude in a usually busy city.
From Desert to City
A red filter over an external flash creates a vibrant landscape during a starry night in Joshua Tree National Park. The unique trees received their name from Mormon settlers who thought the twisting branches that open up to the sky resembled a biblical story where a man named Joshua throws his hands up in prayer.
A blizzard in Chicago brings quiet streets in Wrigleyville on a February night. Wrigley Field is one of the oldest National League ballparks, and the Cubs have been playing there since 1916.
And Most Importantly, The Pacific Ocean
A raven rests upon a tree on Santa Cruz Island. Ravens are a common sight on the Channel Islands and their population has increased over recent years.
Colorful, luxury houses line the coast of San Francisco. The average rent for a one-bedroom in the Golden City is $2,700.
A dolphin jumps out of the Pacific Ocean to greet boat riders. Dolphins are the only animal besides humans that are known to understand syntax.
