Here's to the SECOND most beautiful state in the union!

I can't tell you how happy the image of my Mom walking among pinyon pines on red rock makes me. Her spirit matching the beauty and adventurous nature of the land and her fortitude equaled only by the trees ability to thrive growing straight out of rock. We had a long journey out of Alaska, but both settled in states where the weather and amenities are more conducive to our overall well being.

The following are a few images from our recent trip to Arizona.

Jeans strong enough to stand on their own--when frozen solid!

The Canyon

Upon planning a family trip to the Grand Canyon over the phone, my Mom, an Arizona resident, kindly informed me that it's simply referred to as 'The Canyon' by those in the know. The 'Grand' part apparently, is understood.

Photographically, The Canyon is an impossible spectacle to capture. I say that because I didn't have the remainder of 2011 to stay and do it justice. A combination of time, talent, patience, physicality, warm clothes and luck is required, but mostly time. The Canyon is a living testament to the smallness of man.

"In 1910 George Collingwood, a young forest ranger, traveled with friends to the South rim. 'All we could do was to look,' he wrote home, 'and then we all swore sort of softly, and in between the curses we would speak of the wonders of God.'"

--The Incredible Grand Canyon, by Scott Thybony

Happy New Year to all!