Posted by Kalin Wilson on March 10, 2008 at 2:42 PM
I've got an airline voucher that I have to use by 21 April. It looks like I may be able to use it for a weekend photo trip. So I'm brainstorming where I'd like to go. Of course tons of locations come to mind, most of them in my general neck of the woods:
Page, Az
Sedona, Az
New Mexico
Oregon Coast
California Coast (northern)
Yosemite
I'm thinking about warmer climes with easy access via rental car from an airport I can get to on United (continental US).
So I'd love to hear your ideas. Where would you go if you had a free airline ticket?
All are very worthy of your time, but I'm partial to the Page area because I live so close by. photo opportunities are so varied and I never tire of it.
The weather should be perfect, and you can pack in a lot of photography in one weekend without having to spend as much precious time driving between locales as you might with some of the other spots you've noted. If you're unfamiliar with the area, Laurent Martres' 'Photographing the Southwest (Utah & Arizona)' books will get you up to speed re: locations.
If you decide to choose the Page area and you want some company or help with locations, drop me a line!
Posted by Laurie Wendt on March 10, 2008 at 3:03 PM
What a nice dilemma to have!
I would think the Oregon Coast or Monterey/Carmel CA would be really nice at that time.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on March 10, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Of course everyone will have their preference.
I say broaden your portfolio with places a bit further away that you normally would never drive to. Think Spring, wildflowers, waterfalls, thawing lakes and rugged coastline all in one trip - all within close proximity. Where might this be you ask? Oregon off course!
From Portland you could be shooting world class waterfalls, dramatic coastlines, wildflowers and Mtn lakes all within 1-2 hours.
Yosemite in April is another good bet further from home. Think 'Big' waterfalls after this winter!
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on March 10, 2008 at 3:19 PM
How about Death Valley ? Should be a nice time of year.
You could even swing by Owens Valley - Mono Lake, if you have some flexibility to stretch the weekend.
Fly to Vegas. Hopefully they have direct flights from Colorado Springs.
Posted by Phillip Noll on March 10, 2008 at 3:50 PM
You could try Las Cruces, NM. Should be warmer down there and its not far from White Sands. The Organ Mountains are also very photogenic. You could also shoot the Three rivers Petroglyphs in the Tularosa Basin. Cruces would be very easy access to rental cars and great New Mexican food!
Posted by Todd Caudle on March 10, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Personally, I'd jettison any location that's within a reasonable driving distance, including any of the Four Corner states. PNW would be my choice. Columbia River Gorge seems like it could eat up a whole mess of time.
Posted by Paul Martin on March 10, 2008 at 4:48 PM
If it were me, I'd be very tempted by the Oregon coast. I've seen so many great images from there -- its moved up my list of places I want to go. I agree that any state within driving distance should be left out.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on March 10, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Great minds think alike!
I agree about bumping anything close enough to drive to, plus I'm heading to Canyonlands in May. So I'm leaning towards Oregon too. The California poppy fields may be in full bloom in a few weeks too.
White Sands is another place on the list, I'd have to see if I could fly into Las Cruces or if I'd have to go to El Paso.
I have family in Eugene, OR, which is about 60mi from the coast at Florence. Anyone familiar with that section of the coast?
Keep em coming! Thanks for the input!
Posted by Kalin Wilson on March 10, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Great minds think alike!
I agree about bumping anything close enough to drive to, plus I'm heading to Canyonlands in May. So I'm leaning towards Oregon too. The California poppy fields may be in full bloom in a few weeks too.
White Sands is another place on the list, I'd have to see if I could fly into Las Cruces or if I'd have to go to El Paso.
I have family in Eugene, OR, which is about 60mi from the coast at Florence. Anyone familiar with that section of the coast?
Keep em coming! Thanks for the input!
Posted by Laurie Wendt on March 10, 2008 at 7:50 PM
How about going east to Great Smoky Mountains National Park? I've seen some great images taken there in the spring. Knoxville being a good city to fly into.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on March 10, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Well,
Since we have been planning our vacation along the Oregon Coast I do know of some good photo ops within ~1 hr of Florence in either direction:
Yachatas
* Haceta Head - sunset/night
* Cape Perpetua
1. Austin, TX and the hill country. The wildflowers alongside the highways are a sight to behold. (Might be a bit early so I'd do some checking before committing to this one)
2. Seattle. The Skagit Valley Tulip fest is underway in April and it's the best location for acres and acres of tulip fields this side of Holland. Supplement it with side trips to the North Cascades.
If you're wanting to try birdlife, the Fort Myers area of Florida is great for nesting herons and egrets in April. On the other side is the St Augustine Alligator park which has awesome bird nests, with some almost within arm's reach.
Another thought, Great Smoky Mts NP is full of wildflowers in April as is Antelope Valley in central California.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on March 11, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Thanks again, everyone. Great suggestions.
Don, Antelope Valley is high on my list. I'd love to spend a day shooting poppies.
Right now, I think the Oregon Coast is top on my list. Now I just need to see if I get to use the voucher or not.
Discussion
18 repliesPage, Az
Sedona, Az
New Mexico
Oregon Coast
California Coast (northern)
Yosemite
I'm thinking about warmer climes with easy access via rental car from an airport I can get to on United (continental US).
So I'd love to hear your ideas. Where would you go if you had a free airline ticket?
The weather should be perfect, and you can pack in a lot of photography in one weekend without having to spend as much precious time driving between locales as you might with some of the other spots you've noted. If you're unfamiliar with the area, Laurent Martres' 'Photographing the Southwest (Utah & Arizona)' books will get you up to speed re: locations.
If you decide to choose the Page area and you want some company or help with locations, drop me a line!
I would think the Oregon Coast or Monterey/Carmel CA would be really nice at that time.
I say broaden your portfolio with places a bit further away that you normally would never drive to. Think Spring, wildflowers, waterfalls, thawing lakes and rugged coastline all in one trip - all within close proximity. Where might this be you ask? Oregon off course!
Check this out shot from last April:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=17062&b=vf15&st=0&la=1779&ph=3&sid=453&u=453
From Portland you could be shooting world class waterfalls, dramatic coastlines, wildflowers and Mtn lakes all within 1-2 hours.
Yosemite in April is another good bet further from home. Think 'Big' waterfalls after this winter!
You could even swing by Owens Valley - Mono Lake, if you have some flexibility to stretch the weekend.
Fly to Vegas. Hopefully they have direct flights from Colorado Springs.
I agree about bumping anything close enough to drive to, plus I'm heading to Canyonlands in May. So I'm leaning towards Oregon too. The California poppy fields may be in full bloom in a few weeks too.
White Sands is another place on the list, I'd have to see if I could fly into Las Cruces or if I'd have to go to El Paso.
I have family in Eugene, OR, which is about 60mi from the coast at Florence. Anyone familiar with that section of the coast?
Keep em coming! Thanks for the input!
I agree about bumping anything close enough to drive to, plus I'm heading to Canyonlands in May. So I'm leaning towards Oregon too. The California poppy fields may be in full bloom in a few weeks too.
White Sands is another place on the list, I'd have to see if I could fly into Las Cruces or if I'd have to go to El Paso.
I have family in Eugene, OR, which is about 60mi from the coast at Florence. Anyone familiar with that section of the coast?
Keep em coming! Thanks for the input!
Since we have been planning our vacation along the Oregon Coast I do know of some good photo ops within ~1 hr of Florence in either direction:
Yachatas
* Haceta Head - sunset/night
* Cape Perpetua
Newport
* Yaquina Head Lighthouse
* South Beach
* Seal Rock Recreation Area
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=26953&CGISESSID=e2236d0ca9a10e858c30ba6c8926c5b5&u=24512
Bandon
* Coquille River Lighthouse - sunset/night from across the river
* Shore Acres State Park
* Cape Arago & Lighthouse
* Elk Creek Falls
http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/waterfall.php?num=1371&p=0
* Upper Coquille River Falls
http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/waterfall.php?num=1826&p=0
Then east of Eugene on the 58 is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Oregon:
http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/waterfall.php?num=1672&p=0
Great info, Derek!
1. Austin, TX and the hill country. The wildflowers alongside the highways are a sight to behold. (Might be a bit early so I'd do some checking before committing to this one)
2. Seattle. The Skagit Valley Tulip fest is underway in April and it's the best location for acres and acres of tulip fields this side of Holland. Supplement it with side trips to the North Cascades.
That's what I'd do.
I'd also vote for Oregon this time of year.
Another thought, Great Smoky Mts NP is full of wildflowers in April as is Antelope Valley in central California.
Don, Antelope Valley is high on my list. I'd love to spend a day shooting poppies.
Right now, I think the Oregon Coast is top on my list. Now I just need to see if I get to use the voucher or not.