Back in the US of A

For 2012 we decided on a return to the American Southwest, but following a more easterly route exploring Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado, ending up at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Once again our main guide was Laurent Martres’ excellent … Continue reading

Friday, October 19, 2012 in Travel, USA 2012

The Turquoise Trail

Day 3 We drove the Turquoise Trail from Albuquerque to Santa Fe via Madrid (pronounced with the accent on the first syllable to avoid confusion with that other place in Spain). A pleasant drive although with some boring stretches. First … Continue reading

Saturday, October 20, 2012 in Travel, USA 2012

“Spirit Maiden”

… And here she is, now in her new home. “Spirit Maiden”, by the New Mexico sculptor Greg Gowen. This guy really does amazing things with a few bits of copper! Continue reading

Sunday, October 21, 2012 in Travel, USA 2012

The Jemez Mountain Trail

Day 4 We moved North West from Albuquerque, via the Jemez Mountain Trail, a very pretty mountain road providing an excellent alternative to just sitting on a very boring dual carriageway. As usual, Laurent Martes’ recommendations of what to photograph … Continue reading

Tuesday, October 23, 2012 in Travel, USA 2012

Angels and Badlands

Day 5 We had an early start today – up at 5.30 and a 50 mile drive to get to the “Bisti Badlands” for dawn. This was initially a bit disappointing, but then we bit the bullet and followed Martres’ … Continue reading

Wednesday, October 24, 2012 in Travel, USA 2012

Mesa Verde

Day 6 We started today with a visit to Shiprock, basically a big lump of rock jutting up out of the plain. This is sacred to the Navajo, and can look very dramatic in the right light, but was a … Continue reading

Monday, October 29, 2012 in Travel, USA 2012

Another Shot of Mesa Verde

Just in case you can’t picture Mesa Verde, here’s a more traditional shot of Cliff Palace, with Frances behind the lens this time! Continue reading

The “Aztec Highland Games”

Day 8 Spent the morning wandering around Durango, then set off for Aztec, 30 miles south, which hosts what must be the world’s most unlikely Highland games. Spent the afternoon watching very large Americans with some Celtic heritage throwing tree … Continue reading

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 in Travel, USA 2012

Master, Master, Give Us A Sign

Apparently this goes back to the notorious spare poultry dumping incident of ’06… 😀 Continue reading

… And Sand Dunes!

Day 10 Drove East from Durango through the Rockies. Another almost 11,000 ft pass, but roads not as interesting as yesterday . At coffee stop we were almost forced to purchase two enormous slices of pie, of which more later. … Continue reading

The Road to Taos

Day 11 Up at dawn to try and get golden hour light on the dunes – they are in shadow themselves in the evening. Lodge has world’s most powerful tap in world’s smallest basin. Oh well… Irish contingent dressed in … Continue reading

Saturday, November 3, 2012 in Travel, USA 2012