RMNP Moab Fall Get-Together

Oct. 9 - 11, 2009 photographers from around the world (or at least the Rockies) will converge on the dusty town of Moab for a celebration of desert light. Bring your tripods, extra memory cards, fully charged batteries and a $1,000 check payable to me. If you must, you can skip the check but I do recommend all the other stuff.

If anyone is interested in an organized BBQ I can rent one of the local parks for Saturday afternoon. Might be an easier way to get a bunch of people together than trying to cram into one of the already crowded restaurants.

I would like to hear some ideas from ya'll about what you'd like to do while here, i.e. guided shoots, hikes, 4WD treks, etc. Also, if anyone is interested in offering any free lectures or field instruction, that'd be cool too.

MODERATORS: IF YOU WILL, PLEASE MAKE THIS A STICKY TOPIC SO IT ISN'T LOST IN THE SHUFFLE.

Looking forward to seeing you all in Moab!

Hey Bret,

Can you rent "Arches (National) Park" for a day for some tourista-free photography?

Great idea. Don't know if I can make it but will keep it in mind. Thanks!

I'd like to get a photo of TC paragliding off Mesa Arch at sunrise.

Crud. I think I'll be heading to Maine that week for a quality family visit (with some morning photography at Acadia NP thrown in...) If that falls through, I'll definitely take this as a backup opportunity!

That sounds like a good time to be had in Moab. Probably too far for a weekend from Texas though. Have a great time!

Jack, gravity is not a friend of someone who is 50# overweight.

Sweeeeet! Love the BBQ idea! I might bring something yummy for that

Sounds like a lot of fun. I think I might be able to go this October. Keep me updated on the planning Bret.

Great idea Bret!

A BBQ sounds like really good idea for Saturday. I like the idea of some 4WD treks and some guided shoots from the locals Bret. Can count me in.

Bret, do you know of any motels that might give us a discount if we book multiple rooms or is the plan for car camping? I was just thinking for people that might prefer lodging.

Sounds great! It's on my calendar!

That is towards the end of my fall vacation, so I may be able to make it!

I'd be interested in one of those "off the beaten path" tours. You know the place so well and have found many places others just don't get to.

Jack: I bet we could get a deal at one of the local hotels. I know the Gonzo Inn has worked deals w/ a friend who has run some workshops here. I think he pre-paid for the rooms, though. I'll ask the manager and let you all know what I discover.

Dang...move it up a month and I'm there. Heading to the red rock country Sept 6-11. I just didn't want to miss out on the crowds and the balmy weather.

I've always wanted to know proper application of the duraflame

I am planning on being there. Might be heading back from San Francisco that Friday so might need a ride from Grand Jct on that Friday.

RichieV

Hey Rich,
I don't know when I'll be able to break loose here and I also might have the family with me (packed vehicle), otherwise I'd offer a ride.
As it get's closer we'll see how things shake out.

Do you have more info on what this is about? Or a web line? What photo activities will be going on? Thanks!

Anyone have a lead on good (cheap) motels in Moab? I usually stay at the Holiday Inn for the reward points, but there must be something else going on in town that weekend because the rates are outrageous.

I'd love to go, but I'm not yet sure if my boss will give me the time off for the Friday since he was rather happy I was out of PTO when I came back from my summer vacation. If I do go, I'm up for some 4wd treks and will probably bring my Jeep with room for a couple of people.

Great idea, Bret!

I am game for sharing a room with people. Brett - any hook on a place for us to stay?

RichieV

I've stayed at the Apache Motel before and had no problems with it.
It's an older motel a few blocks off of Main St., which is a real plus, IMO.

I'd love to go as well, but that's my week to work.

I'll be there! Looking forward to it!!

Excellent idea Brett. I'm interested. I'll be looking for updates.

I have a week off in October for any time frame I want.... maybe I'll head out that way if you don't mind a PNW guy showing up...

I'm guessing that the 9th is an "arrival" date for this event and that activities will be on Saturday and Sunday...If not, I can move my motel reservation up a day.
Johns suggestion for the Apache Motel seems to be a good one, and I reserved my room today. They list some 2 room suites, so that might be an option for people wanting to share some space and costs (and not be in the same room with someone who snores )

Apache is great. John Wayne stayed there...yep...he sure did...just look out for the roosters

Sorry for my absence. I've been on a road trip for the last 3 weeks w/ limited access to the internet.

I've not been able to work out any deals w/ a local hotel. The places I recommend are:

Gonzo Inn
Holiday Inn
Sleep Inn
Best Western (either of them)
Bowen Motel
Hampton Inn
Comfort Suites
Super 8
Aarchway Inn

The 9th is the arrival date. We can schedule a sunset shoot that night, sunrise and sunset on the 10th and sunrise on the 11th. My work schedule got screwed up because they decided to fire someone, forcing me to work 2:00 PM to midnight all three nights. However, I'll still be up for some sunrise shoots and the BBQ (if ya'll don't mind me there in uniform).

Is anyone else interested in helping me coordinate some shoots? If so, send me an email and we'll get some ideas flowing.

I'm looking forward to this!

Count me in too! What we can't just all crash at Brets place? Chris Apache sounds cool just for the "Duke" connection!

For those looking for lodging I ran across this place when I was booking accomodations for my September trip to Moab. I've never stayed at the place so I can't give a first hand report but the rates seem as reasonable as anything I saw in the multitude of websites I surfed. I also like the idea of a full kitchen which will save me some bucks as opposed to eating out and a hot tub to soak my old tired bones after a full day of hiking/shooting. I'll know more when I get back from Moab around 9/10.

http://www.moab-utah.com/westwood/

The Westwood is...interesting.

Uh oh....define "interesting"

It's been there for a loooooong time, there are some wacky characters who live there and the last time I was inside one of the units I would have sworn I was on the set of "That 70's Show".

Sounds like my kinda place!

Whew...had me concerned for a minute. I'm a child of the 60's so I should feel right at home. Seriously, I'll be there for 4 days and spending 80% of my time out shooting so if the shower works and the bed doesn't have creatures I'm good.

Thanks for the heads up though.

No bugs that I'm aware of. The only hotel in town with confirmed bugs is the Days Inn.

Anyone up for camping? Gonna be chilly but theres always the back of the car.... only issue here is if I camp I might not be very well received at the Brewery or Eddie's....

I am going to be camping Christopher, I have no problem sleeping in back of my rig, do it all the time. What camp ground were you thinking of?

Eric;

Was thinking somewhere along the road that goes into Potash, along the river, if this is a possibility... or maybe upriver near Castle Valley. - Chris

That would be a descent area, probably want something fairly close to Moab since that is where everyone will be staying. Are there campgrounds up there or you thinking of just camping by the river? I never been around Potash before.

There are plenty of BLM campgrounds along the Colorado River near Moab, Eric.
11 of them are right along Hwy. 128 toward Castle Valley.

Rule #1...when a local tries to warn you off of a hotel, LISTEN! My contact was right, the Westwood Guest house is a dive. Somewhere between Flea Bag and Flop House. Took one look, and one sniff, decided I couldn't sleep there. Found an empty whiskey bottle between the mattresses and that sealed the deal. I can heartily recommend the nice new Hampton, though.

Mesa Arch tomorrow now that the holiday is over and the caravan of tourists have headed home.

I didn't realize they had that many, thanks John.

Eric: My favorite campground is located in Moonflower Canyon on Kane Creek. It's a walk-in campground next to a perennial creek shaded by cottonwoods in a narrow canyon. Most of the sites are far enough from the road to be nice & quiet, too.

Would have loved to have come but will be Europe with family and a camera!

Bret;

did you reserve the park for Saturday afternoon?

Christopher: We do have the Rotary Park for Saturday afternoon. Our reservation starts at 1:00 PM and we have it for the rest of the day. There are covered picnic tables, a BBQ (charcoal) grill and bathrooms.

Rotary Park is located on Mill Creek Rd. across from Red Rock Elementary School. There are two parking lots: one upper and one lower. Both are small but we can use the school parking lot across the street. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. I know, it sucks but those are the rules.

Should we start a "what are you bringing" list?

Bret; thanks for reserving that. I will be there for sure. I am heading out on Thursday and meeting a friend in Bluff. We will hunt ruins in Comb Ridge / Butler Wash area if anyone is interested in joining us. My plan is to return to Moab Saturday for the cookout, and then we should plan a sunset location nearby with the group and get a group photo.

Should we start a "what are you bringing" list?

I'll be happy to provide something...Maybe we need a "What is needed" list and have people choose what they want to bring?

I am really bummed. I am not going to be able to make this event due to out of state work both weeks around the trip.

RichieV

I think the BBQ should be a "bring your own meat" gig, with everybody bringing along chips, salads, cookies, etc. for the masses to share.

I think the BBQ should be a "bring your own meat" gig, with everybody bringing along chips, salads, cookies, etc. for the masses to share.

Sounds good to me. See you all there, with groceries in hand!

Hey Bret, I am going to try to make it if I can, but I cannot take Friday off from work. Do you know what the rough schedule is? Sunrise shoot Saturday morning, BBQ afternoon? If I can arrange it, I might drive out Friday night and try to head that way. Let me know what the tentative plans are so I can see if I can make it work. If I can, be happy to bring some food.

Hey Koveh,
Everyone is meeting Saturday afternoon @ 1pm for a barbecue. I'm sure shooting plans for Saturday sunset and beyond will be made there. I know I've got a few places in mind...

So is there anything planned for Friday? Or is Saturday BBQ the first time everyone is getting together?

I don't think there's anything planned for Friday - sounds like a number of folks will be arriving that day (including me).

I will be there in early afternoon Friday, anyone up for an evening shoot on Friday or maybe morning shoot on Saturday?

Hey Erik,
I'm not sure what time I'll be arriving on Friday. But I was planning on shooting at the White Rim Overlook (Island in the Sky) for sunrise on Saturday. Bret expressed interest in this location too. You're welcome to join me/us. I was thinking of being at the parking area around 6am. I've never been there, but its supposed to be a short .5 mile walk to the overlook areas.

Eric/Scott...
If you don't mind another, I'd like to join you Saturday morning...I've never shot from there.

That sounds good for Saturday morning for sure. Are we planning on meeting at Canyonlands Island in Sky park entrance at 6AM then?

Of course you can join us, Bob!

I've never shot from there either, but Martres mentions it in his book as a very scenic, but less visited location. For the most part I try to avoid the crowds, and I think its probably safe to assume that an October Saturday sunrise at Mesa Arch will be elbow to elbow with photographers.

Let's plan on meeting at the White Rim Overlook Picnic/Parking Area at 6am. Its just North of the Grand View Point Overlook which is at the end of the road. It should be about a 45 minute drive from Moab. I'll be driving a gold Xterra with CNP and RMNP stickers on the back window.

Sounds great! I just looked it up in Martres book...looks like a nice shoot.

I'll be in a tan Malibu with a RMNP sticker on the trunk.

I'm planning on Dead Horse point both Friday eve. and Sat. morning. I haven't been there before - any pointers?

Dead Horse point is little better morning shoot then a evening. I say get there early and spend some time walking around to find the best location, especially if you want a foreground in the shot. Sunrise there can be awesome, especially if you get nice sky. Good luck Chuck.

White Rim sounds good, meet you there at 6AM then.

I'll be in Red Subaru Forester

I'm in Moab...I'm thinking of shooting the Fisher Towers at sunset from SB 128 (about 25 miles from Moab) if anyone else gets in town in time.
Otherwise, I'll be in Canyonlands in the AM.