Rick has wanted to photograph the Fossil Creek area for a long time (that being any time more than 30 days to a photographer). This special creek, described by the Coconino National Forest Recreation Site, "Fossil Creek is only one of two National Wildlife and Scenic rivers in AZ." Hmmm . . . wonder where the other one is. When one is next to it, appreciating the rapid flow, it is easy to believe the number of over 30 million gallons of water being put into the creek each day!!! Not only that, but the temperature of the water is reported to be between 70 and 72 degrees year round. The water contains minerals that give it a blue green color, a photographer's delight. The photo above may be my favorite of the photos that I took. It was taken from the bridge, just as you enter the 'best part of all'. After a grueling 15+ mile washboard dirt road, the bridge marked the beginning of what was to be an awesome day!! Worth every foot! Of course, that is easy for me to say as Rick did the hard work of driving us in as much comfort as one could ask for when riding on a washboard. Thank you, Rick. You are awesome!
From the bridge facing northish.
From the other side of the bridge.
Further down from the bridge. Can you just imagine my excitement?
OK, an ordinary documentary photo of a creek. Really?
Checking out my new 16 stop ND filter. Love that it does not seem to distort color. Not happy with the fact that 16 stops means shutter speeds of 3 minutes or more (really).
Vying for attention, interesting rocks along the creek.
Now that you have seen the creek, we want to show you the journey to get there. We lucked out in driving amidst wildflowers, a wonderful pond, an old coral and just enough rock formations to keep us in 'Oh, stop please' mode. Rick patiently pulled over for every request.
There are always the 'details' to any site. These are the small things that make me smile. Truly complex, they remind me that my space is awesomely grand and it starts with . . . grasshoppers!
Even the drive back to Camp Verde was spectacular. We want to return and check out the waterfalls further up the creek, a hike we did not make while we were there. I have already reserved my seat on Rick's next trip. Thanks for sharing our trip.