Friday, October 14, 2011

The Pavement Ends

Heading out of Sedona

We came to a fork in the road. We opted for the left. (I know it's not really a fork, but I need it for my story)
Pavement? We don't need no stinking pavement!

Hey, this isn't so bad!

It's deteriorating a bit

Getting bumpy (a cheap reflection for Weekend Reflections, but it's all I have this week)

Getting off the beaten path, but still a great view

The road is now getting, hey wait a minute, where's the road?

The road may be bad, but the view is spectacular

Another very bumpy stretch

Not much better

This is like driving up a set of stairs. The photo doesn't really reflect how steep this is.

Just about finished. A couple of kidney transplants and we will be just fine!

Just because I liked it!
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We'll be leaving on another roadie this Sunday. Going to another of our favorite areas, the Central California coast. I still have a few posts to do on this trip first. One is of an awesome place called Snow Canyon and the other is a from another jeep outing. This one was a bit scary at times.

Weekend Reflection:
For reflections by other photographers go to Weekend Reflections by James.  There are at least a hundred folks, most of them really good photographers who participate.

Pay it Forward:
Darn it, I almost forgot about another bloghop I singed up for. This one was started by the lovely and talented Alex J. Cavanaugh. The idea is to post three blogs that we really like, to give them some exposure. I could do this for many more than three, but here they are. I love these three blogs and think they deserve a much bigger following.

The Non-Review This is one of my absolute favorite blogs. Tim is not only a great person, he is also one of the most creative and funny people I've run across. He has several running series of posts that are great.

Sleepless in Gainesville Faye is a fantastic observer, photograper and all around great person. Her blog is one of my go to places. I think you'll really appreciate her blog during the long and cold winter. It's sunny and bright and most of the photos are from a place where it never snows.

Stickup Artist: Living in the Wild Wild West Truly an amazing photography blog. I aspire to take photos as good as the ones regularly posted on this blog.  Once again, not only a great talent, but run by a nice person.

I'm sorry I combined these two things together. I would never do that on purpose. It's just that I'm so darn A.D.D. that I, what was I saying?

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58 comments:

  1. Love getting off the beaten track and not always in an appropriate vehicle.
    Wonderful photos as always

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  2. You got some amazing photos! My little sports car wouldn't have managed the beaten path though.

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  3. lmao, wow! Beautiful but I can't believe how bad the road gets! too funny!

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  4. forget the car! You need horses! :)

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  5. Hehehe, I was expecting the pink jeep!

    We've been in this kind of path before, and yes its a bumpy ride.

    Love your travel posts!

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  6. Hey Patrick! Who told you to play out my current life through pictures!!!!

    Loved it!

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  7. WOW, they sure weren't kidding! Great pics!

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  8. Sedona is one of the most beautiful places...I just love it and I enjoyed your photos. I haven't been there in about 15 years.

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  9. You are doing photo's for Shel Silverstein's new book.

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  10. I couldn't take these full screen, I feel cheated.

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  11. Wow, those views are amazing! Glad you took that path :)

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  12. So glad you took a picture of the Jeep cause I was wondering what you were driving. :)
    Lovely shots!

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  13. Looks like a fun trip, Pat! I love Arizona and the area around Sedona! But after that ride I bet you did feel the need for new kidneys!! Marvelous, fun captures as always and a great reflection as a bonus!! Enjoy your weekend!!

    Sylvia

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  14. As you drive along that track and as it becomes more difficult the landscape becomes more interesting Patrick.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Costas

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  15. Mynx - Thanks! I'm with you on that one. The first part of this road would have been okay for most vehicles, but after a short while, higher ground clearance and better traction are needed.

    Alex - That's okay, because there many other scenic and windy roads for your sports car. Thanks Alex.

    Creepy Query Girl - Thanks! This road doesn't really go anywhere. The smooth part is still used, but the rougher sections is just where people in FWD vehicles just made their own.

    Nariane - Horses would have been nice! Maybe less bumpy also.

    Ebie - Yep! This is actually one of the Pink Jeep routes. It's called Diamondback Gulch. Thanks so much!

    Bossy Betty - Hi there! Every road has a bump now and then. But your current road has been a REALLY bumpy one. Thanks for coming by! Hope you are doing well.

    Brian - Thanks Brian! They sure were.

    Nancy - thanks Nancy! It really hasn't changed much, but it's always worth the trip. Of course, the scenery never changes.

    Budd - Thanks! I wish I was.

    Ms. A - Hmmm! I fixed that (or at least I thought I did).

    Sarah - Hi there! Thanks, it is the most beautiful area. I'm glad I took it also. I'll be over to catch up!

    Carletta - thanks! I figured people might be wondering, so that is exactly why I included it.

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  16. Hi Pat, the view is gorgeous. Seems like following a road with no sign makes me think of those horror/suspense/thriller that I saw makes it feel creepy. ^_^ Thanks for the visit!

    Weekend Reflection

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  17. Sylvia - Thanks Sylvia! It was a great trip. I also love that area and just might end up living out there. You have a great weekend also.

    Costas - Thanks Costas! I'll be over today...

    Kim - Hi there! Thanks so much. Yeah, I know what you mean. We didn't see another human for quite a while. Of course, I didn't think about all that until just now!

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  18. I went to Sedona a few years ago and found it totally awesome.

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  19. I love Sedona, and I am all about road tripping!

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  20. It is beautiful country but I think I would pass on that road. I am amazed that you were able to get a reflection, I would have thought there would have been a thick layer of dust on the hood.

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  21. What a road trip! Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing.

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  22. It's a good thing we have 2 kidney's :-)

    These are spectacular views, I'd like to try it on a motorcycle!

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  23. Snow Canyon near St George? I love that place! I also enjoy driving along the Central CA coast. When we lived out there, that was one of our favorite day trips. If money were no object, I'd live in Monterey.

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  24. I am in love with the desert. Great photos!

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  25. Japy - Thanks so much! I appreciate it.

    Patti - We've been going there once a year. I can't get enough.

    Martha Z - The reflection must be due to my exceptional wax job on the jeep. Nah, it was towards the beginning of our drive.

    Karen - Thanks and you are welcome! It was a good trip.

    Woody - thanks! I think it would be great on a motorcycle.

    KarenG - Yes, that Snow Canyon! They say it's one of the most overlooked parks in the country. If it was bigger, it might have been a national park. It's beautiful. I have some great photos to post from there.

    Belle - I don't really want to live in the desert, but I sure love visiting and exploring it. thanks Belle!

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  26. I'll have to visit Sedona some day. There's a lot of dirt roading around here, too. Makes the car really dirty.

    Will check out your links.

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  27. Another excellent post! I really enjoyed the pictures and I totally agree with you about Stickup Artist, she's amazing! I'll have to checkout the other two blogs. Have fun on the coast, my wife and I were in Santa Barbara a few days ago for our anniversary.

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  28. That was kind of cool, like I was taking a drive with you. Thanks for highlighting my blog. Your blog has always been one of my top favorites if not my favorite altogether.

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  29. Great photos!! - a bit too warm for me, tho.
    Have fun going off-road. You're welcome to head (far) north when you're ready to go off-the-grid for real. :)

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  30. this made me laugh! kidney transplants! ha ha!

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  31. Hey Pat, thanks for the shout out though it looks to me you are doing great on your photography! (and talk about being a nice person)! Your travels are so inspirational. It seems you've lit a fire under quite a few of us! The colors, rock formations, and vistas you've captured are breathtaking!

    Will look forward to following you up the coastline...

    Happy Trails!!

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  32. What an adventure! That last stretch must have been pretty scary.Lovely views to compensate for all the bumps!

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  33. Amazing pics. Looks like fun and I don't know if "Bouncin Barb" could have survived that ride unscathed! Wow...rough ridin'.

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  34. Awesome pics!

    Thanks for the recommendations!

    New follower. Nice to meet you!

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  35. Cool... lot's of memories there from the days when I was a student at NAU for a year. A friend had a jeep and we went on many a trip into the "pavement ends" territory. That's Edward Abbey country. And I thoroughly agree with you about Stickup Artist, she is something else again... Will have to check out the other two, had seen them before. So many blogs, so little time !

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  36. Always interesting what can happen off the beaten track, like how you told it with your shots and blog hopped here too!

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  37. M Pax - I hope you do get to visit Sedona. Good star gazing there!

    James - Thanks James! Santa Barbara is a great place. I'm sure you got some good pics while there.

    Tim - Thanks Tim! Hey, it was my pleasure. I really think you'd have a zillion followers with more exposure. thanks for the nice words Tim, I really do appreciate it.

    Melodie - Thanks! It was only in the low 80's while we were there. I just looked at your profile to see where you are from. That is waaayyy north. Thanks so much for commenting and signing on.

    TexWisGirl - Thanks! They are still throbbing...

    Stickup Artist - My pleasure. I really like your blog and photos. The photos from our trip up the coast are going to have to wait a bit. I have several more posts to do on our last our last trip. Thanks so much!

    lotusleaf - It sure was. The only real scary thing was that we were alone. If we broke down, it might have been quite a while before somebody came along. Because of that I think we are going to get a winch for the jeep.

    Bouncin' Barb - Thanks! It was pretty rough, but still fun!

    Alison - Thanks so much! I appreciate your comment and for signing on!

    Owen - My across the street nieghbor's kid goes to NAU. My brother also lived in Flagstaff for several years. I know what you are saying. I'm maxed out on the number of blogs I can follow and have to find one to delete if want to follow another. That sucks!

    Pat - Thanks so much for stopping by! I agree about leaving the beaten path. I love the back roads and fringe areas of towns.

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  38. Liked the comments on your trip as much as your pics! Good you had a jeep!

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  39. Great photos and adventure. Take it easy on the next off roader. Kidneys are not easy to come by.

    Darryl and Ruth :)

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  40. jeannette - Thanks on both counts jeannette! I appreciate it. Yes, a jeep was essential.

    Darryl and Ruth - Thanks! We went on a better one a few days later, More in the mountains though. I'll be posting photos from that as soon as I get a chance..

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  41. thank you for taking me along!
    sedona looks and sounds a great place...definitely a must-see!

    wonderful photos, too. :)

    have a great weekend!

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  42. I really must go see that beautiful red rock that is Sedona someday. Thanks for the pictures.

    PS I also featured Tim's blog in the blogfest.

    Be well, Pat.
    xoRobyn

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  43. These are beautiful as usual...love the rich red colour of the soil. A journey into another time.

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  44. Beautiful series, as in a western movie. greetings. Leovi.

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  45. sedona was one of my favorite day trips. i wish i could've spent more time there. ^_^

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  46. Hurrah for off-road vehicles. My kids,living in the Rockies, talk about "four bying" all the time. (Is that how it's spelled? I go for the phonetics every time.)
    Rosemary

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  47. I like your story Pat...and your illustrations. I used to deliver for a messenger service way back when. One time I decided to try a new way and ended up with no more road looking at a farmer's field. It's fun to play and explore.

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  48. these are awesome ... perhaps you needed a pack mule!

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  49. i missed the pay it forward hop, so stopping by fashionably late! nice to meet u :)

    and im glad the dude abides!

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  50. The best scenery and views are always somewhere past those 'pavement ends' signs.

    I really like the old fence. Have fun at the coast.

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  51. Betty M - My pleasure! I think it should be on everybody's list. It's kid of like the grand canyon, just too much to take it all in. Thanks Betty!

    Robyn - I hope you get a chance! You are most welcome and thank you! I hope a lot of new people get to enjoy Tim's blog.

    Reka - Thanks so much! It is an amazing place.

    Leovi - Thanks Leovi! MANY western movies were filmed in and around Sedona.

    Lovkyne - It's a great place. I want to be there when it snows next time. It is supposed to be an amazing sight.

    Rosemary - It's close enough! Having a FWD vechicle totally expands our trips. Our RV is now our central point and we venture out from there.

    awarewriter - Thanks so much! I agree, it's an adventure!

    Reka - Thanks Reka! Yes it is and it's an amazing journey.

    missing moments - Thanks so much! A pack mule would have worked out even better. Slower, but better!

    Jeremy - Hi there! Thanks so much for signing on and commenting. I really do appreciate it!

    SquirrelQueen - That is so true. One of the nice things about the Sedona area, is that you can get right up to the beautiful things. I've never seen where anybody has ever defaced them either. Thanks!

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  52. Next time, please remind me to use the potty before going along for one of these adventures. Your photos are so awesome, I could actually almost "feel" the bumps in the "road".

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  53. This is a fantastic post, and a great photo story! I agree, the view is beautiful.

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  54. Marlene - You don't have to use it first, the whole place is available for those purposes. Just watch out for catus!

    Wandering Thought - Thanks so much! I can look at that scenery for hours.

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  55. You have captured some beautiful shots, Pat. Well done!!

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  56. We have crazy birds of prey down here. I love your photos. I've never been to Arizona. My mom loved taking a vacation to Sedona. she would mention it often and she's a seasoned traveler.

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  57. Ya know this is my kinda non-road trip, dontcha?

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