Thank You!
April 9th, 2005

We’ve been getting so many incredibly nice comments in our guestbook that we decided it is time for a public “Thank You!” Rhonda and I really appreciate all the nice comments and we are always thrilled to hear that someone is out there is enjoying our perspective on our little... or maybe not so little... corner of the world. Please keep your comments coming - we just love hearing from everyone!

Rhonda and I had a very relaxing winter so we were both anxious to grab our cameras and head out as soon as it warmed up. It was pretty mild in February, beautiful in March and April is just great. We’ve already had some days near 80 degrees! So far this year we’ve enjoyed numerous trips into Arches and Canyonlands National Parks (our “backyard”), several trips to the canyons of the San Rafael Swell, and all kinds of weekend day hikes in the areas surrounding Moab. All of the photos at the top of this page were taken this year as Rhonda and I continue our journey together. You can usually spot me on the trail because I’m the one with the camera pressed into my face, often with my hat spun around at a ridiculous angle so I can take a vertical photo. Rhonda, however, always looks very nice!

The coming year holds all sorts of camping trips throughout southern Utah for us. We will, no doubt, take many thousands of new photos. We even have a trip planned to Yosemite National Park in California. I’m excited about photographing Yosemite but it’s hard leaving Utah for even a week or two. Man, am I addicted to these red rocks or what?!

I hope some of you can get out here this year to enjoy what southern Utah has to offer. Knowing that my website has encouraged a few of you to visit this remarkable area, or maybe just help you to get a bit more out of your trip, is a great feeling. However, above all, I want everyone to have a safe trip. I feel an obligation to share the following…

As I’ve said many times before, this is truly one of the most spectacular places on Earth. You can approach this area on many levels - from a relaxing sightseeing trip to an epic adventure. It’s up to you to set the level of your personal adventure. However, I like to remind visitors that most of southern Utah is technically a desert environment and proper precautions must be taken. The spectacular scenery out here can literally change your life, but it can also be hazardous to your health. It’s not unusual for temperatures in July and August to top 100 degrees, occasionally getting up near 110 in mid-afternoon. Try to get started with your hikes early in the morning; the lighting is better at that time of day anyway. Also, remember to drink a lot of water - at least one gallon of water per person per day. With our super low humidity you have no idea how much fluid your body is losing. Your perspiration completely evaporates and you feel remarkably cool, but you need to replenish those lost fluids. Don’t wait until you get thirsty to start drinking, it will be too late. I usually drink 50% of my water in the first hour and a half of a 4-hour hike. Even if you only get moderately dehydrated, a dehydration headache is a real killer. Trust me, I’ve had a few. Wear a hat, bring some energy snacks, and don’t push yourself too hard. If you’ve had enough, turn back. People that gauge the quality of a hike only by its length pretty much miss the whole point of visiting this beautiful area. Age isn’t a factor either - I’ve come across fit people in their mid-20s who were seriously dehydrated and in extremely dangerous condition. Don’t take this rugged country for granted. If you’ll be visiting the backcountry with a 4WD vehicle, make sure it is in good condition and bring all kinds of extra food and water. If possible, try to travel with another 4WD vehicle in case one should break down. Cell phone coverage is extremely limited in the backcountry of southern Utah so don’t count on that for getting you out of a tight spot.

OK, now with all of that said, I can say that with the proper precautions a visit to southern Utah can be one of the most incredible experiences of your entire life. If the photos on this site often look like another planet, it’s because visiting southern Utah is actually like visiting another planet. There is no other place on this planet that contains such impressive red rock formations on such a grand scale. I’ve been exploring this area for 20 years and I’ve just barely scratched the surface. Southern Utah isn’t just 5 National Parks - it’s a whole other world. Come and see for yourself!

- Robert
April 9th, 2005

2005 So Far...