On of my biggest pleasures is to get the photos taken by everyone on a trip. Yes, I was there too, but when 10 other eyes see the same place in a different way I get my enjoyment of a place multiplied over and over. Then there is always the surprise and question when an image pops up, "How did she/he get that?"

I know how Ann gets some of her perspectives.  She hikes UP!  Like a mountain goat!  And fast! — I know how Ann gets some of her perspectives. She hikes UP! Like a mountain goat! And fast!

Below are some captures from around the park that will bring back memories for year. For me, each image adds a sense of personality and character to a very special place.

Then, if you look carefully, the rock on the left looks even more interesting.

I feel like a mom who tell my child, "Get in there and clean up your room!"  I suppose you could climb down into that opening. — I feel like a mom who tell my child, "Get in there and clean up your room!" I suppose you could climb down into that opening.

Leaving Rainbow Vista at the evening Golden Hour.

This guy sure gets around to high places.  Greg is way down there in the orange T-shirt. — This guy sure gets around to high places. Greg is way down there in the orange T-shirt.

We all want to go back. There are several hikes we did not take, and even better photos of places we have been.

Good night.  Come back soon. — Good night. Come back soon.

As we packed up the final morning.  We were headed home, going away from Valley of Fire.  "Taunt us, will you, Mother Nature?! — As we packed up the final morning. We were headed home, going away from Valley of Fire. "Taunt us, will you, Mother Nature?!

Fire Cave and Fire Wave, Seven Sisters, Beehives, White Domes, Rainbow Visa, Mouse's Tank . . . This place is the most unusual place I have photographed. Multi-colored sandstone, rock formations that appear more like extruded rock mixtures that then hardened, caves, balanced rocks that intimidate as you walk below them, and then more and more! Move over White Sands, this girl has a new favorite!!

Another interpretation of Windstone Arch.

Another cave/arch opportunity close to Windstone Arch.

In order for this to work for me I ended up cropping much more than I would have liked. I moved to avoid the overhang that Rick shows in the upper left.  There is not much room to move your camera around.  This cave was not big enough to c… — In order for this to work for me I ended up cropping much more than I would have liked. I moved to avoid the overhang that Rick shows in the upper left. There is not much room to move your camera around. This cave was not big enough to crawl into so we were challenged to shoot from a slit in the end.

Peek a boo!!  Rick trying to concentrate while hounded by the paparazzi!! — Peek a boo!! Rick trying to concentrate while hounded by the paparazzi!!

This is Three Fins, another formation located in the area of Windstone Arch.

Not all arches are in caves.  This is Arch Rock.  Our reference said that the best way to photograph this arch was to stand in the middle of the road.  Yikes.  At least traffic volume is very small along the road and we watched o… — Not all arches are in caves. This is Arch Rock. Our reference said that the best way to photograph this arch was to stand in the middle of the road. Yikes. At least traffic volume is very small along the road and we watched out for each other. Reason? You can see a darker rock behind the arch in the upper right. To get a clean open shot through the arch you have to . . . well stand in the middle of the road!

This is the back side of Arch Rock taken by Rick walking much further back and climbing up on a mound of rock.

What follows are a group of photos that give you an idea of what it might be like to just walk around in this magical place. I will post more specific areas, such as Fire Wave in the next post.