Days 00 – Scouting and Puttering
We arrived in Zion National Park in time for some scouting. Sure, we’ve been here several times before, but we are always looking for new locations. This time, by chance, I met the Park Superintendent. I was outside, waiting for the administrative office to open so I could pick up our permit. In any national park, those who run workshops need to get a special-use permit for same. I noticed a Tarantula ambling across the lecture area and had seen two gentleman talking.
“Excuse me,” I called out, and they turned toward me. “Do you want to see a Tarantula?”
“Oh, yes,” they replied as they hurried toward me.
“Be careful. They are very gentle, unless you make them angry.”
Out came the cameras and, for good measure, the iPhones, as the arachnid ambled toward the desert.
I noticed that one of the gentlemen was not carrying his camera in a way that we feel protects it. And we are not talking about “that noise” position that our alumni know so well. This is strictly carrying the camera. So, I demonstrated what we recommend, and the man was most appreciative.
“Is this your first visit to the Park,” I inquired.
“I’m the Park Superintendent,” he answered. He was not in uniform, so I had not a clue. We both got a good laugh out of that, then shared favorite national park locations we love across the country. Arnie and I ran into him later along the Virgin River where he was walking with a childhood buddy and his wife. We chatted some more. Lovely man.
Arnie and checked out some more locations but decided we preferred the ones we already have. We explored some possibilities just outside the park boundaries, in hopes of a different view. Nada!
We decided to talk a walk along the river. It should be noted that the Virgin River is one of he signature elements of this park. It is, in fact, the reason, we have this beautiful valley and canyon. We stopped at one of our locations and took different positions, Arnie high, me down on the ground. The sun was fading, and the reflections on the water were lovely.
Arnie and I enjoy good food and wine. We don’t live a fancy lifestyle, so this is one of our pleasures. There is a restaurant in Springdale near the east entrance of the park that we love. We headed there for the second night in a row, ordered the same flavorful bottle of wine and enjoyed a leisurely meal outside on the front terrace.
“Let’s go back and see if we can get a night shot,” I said. Arnie agreed, so we headed back into the park.
The moon was up, almost full, and cast an eerie glow on the landscape. Boy, was it bright. I grabbed my tripod and scooted into position. Arnie grabbed the flashlight as protection against night traffic. Then, he used it to open up some of the dark areas for me. It is always fun when we collaborate on an image.
Next: First Day of the Workshop … along the Virgin River …
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What is the recommended way to carry a camera? Thanks!
Nancy,
Excellent question, and I think worthy of a blog, but the short answer is always carry your camera so the lens is facing in toward your body, not out toward the elements where it could get damaged or worse.
Take care,
TBC