An ode to the Parks

The parks do not belong to one state or to one section.... The Yosemite, the Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon are national properties in which every citizen has a vested interest; they belong as much to the man of Massachusetts, of Michigan, of Florida, as they do to the people of California, of Wyoming, and of Arizona.

Stephen T. Mather, NPS Director, 1917-1929

As National Park Week rolls around, I reminisced on the impact the US National Park System has had in my life so far. And I have come to realize that without such a system, my passion for photography, my love of the outdoors, and my curiosity to explore, would have all suffered a slow premature death. One of my very first hiking trips in the National Park system was in Yosemite, where I got to see the grandeur of Half dome nestled in its stellar surroundings. Even my first backpack into the heart of its mountainous wilderness, where, camping in the meadows next to a glistening alpine lake, I got to experience the freedom the wild outdoors provide, especially in a protected setting like Yosemite, was unforgettable.

It was these formative trips into the National parks a decade ago that have fostered not just my passion for the outdoors, but also an ethos of conservation of the natural wonders. I am forever grateful for the magnanimity of the National Park service that asks for so little.

Thank you.

Yosemite National Park
CA USA

 

A moment together

Most of the cameras, and almost all the eyes were pointed at the grandeur of nature ahead: the towering brick-red sandstone buttes rising from the rugged desert landscape with the vast sky above breaking out in deep red while the last vestiges of sunlight set the sandstone edifices ablaze. As a photographer, even my attention was directed in that direction, until it was not.

After multiple compositions of that photogenic spectacle, I turned my eyes west, looking back at the rim of the View Hotel at Monument Valley, where I caught a small group of friends standing on the edge and enjoying the evening, whilst the sky behind was taking on a breath-taking crimson coating. I stood in awe enjoying this superb silhouette of a rare perspective in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Monument Valley
AZ USA

 

The Last Vestiges of Winter

The last vestiges of winter are still hanging on through mid-April, leading to plunging mercury lines and people searching for their winter-wear. It brought memories of the cold winter the city went through, as well as my own escapades into the snow-capped cascades.

One such trip was the climb up-to Huntoon point where I was witness to a spectacle of sun and snow like no other. Fresh snowfall from the prior night had coated the ragged peaks with a carpet of pure undisturbed white, while strong winds had created tree-shines on the south-facing slopes. It was surreal to experience the transition from verdant greenery to the refreshing white climbing up from the depths below.

Conditions like these come together perhaps a couple of times a year, and I was glad to experience one of them. Hopefully it will keep me engaged until the next winter.

North Cascades National Park
WA USA

Remnants of Summer memories

We don't remember days; we remember moments

As I made my way into a really scenic section of the Sierra Nevadas one early summer, the crisp sound of gurgling water, the fresh breeze carrying cool air from the mountains, and the beautiful vistas of snow-capped peaks under a picuresque sky awaited me. I may not remember my exact footsteps, but memories of the beautiful scenery, of dipping my hot feet in the cold waters of the creek, and of sitting by the shores of one of the innumerable lakes enjoying the afternoon sun, were preserved in a dream-like state.

Such is the draw of forming experiences hiking in the Sierras

Inyo National Forest
CA USA

Waterfall Season

It's waterfall season again. And that means walking up slippery mossy trails towards the sound of rushing water, getting sprayed on by the cool mist on a warm summer day, wiping camera and lenses furiously while waiting for the breeze to die down, and plunging feet-first into freezing cold water to wedge the tripod into awkward positions to get the perfect composition. And that also means contending with hundreds of tourists at popular spots trying to get their 5 seconds of selfie fame

Nevertheless, the allure of a waterfall is special, akin to a maiden with silky white hair tumbling down the mossy cliffs, constantly swaying and shifting gracefully, and breathing fresh air into the lush vegetation all around. Her sound can be heard from afar, a peaceful white noise growing in intensity as one gets closer, until you get a glimpse of her through the trees. It is no wonder that they take on feminine names: Elowah, Bridalveil, Fairy, Wahkeena and so on.

Here is to another waterfall season, and many more to come.

Multnomah Falls
OR USA

The Cap on Concepcion

It was a long and weary day. Just 12 hours prior, I was scrambling on all fours up the slippery steep scree of the Concepcion Volcano, wondering if I could even make it down alive. But I did. And stayed up awake long enough to capture the night as it came alive under moonlight and starlight.

Even as my eyes were refusing to stay open after the tiring hike, I pursued with the objective of capturing the night sky. The cool breeze and the clear skies were encouraging, and the rise of the waning moon turned the night sky into day. Perhaps what captivated me most was the sombrero that formed atop the volcano, adding a unique dimension to the scene.

It certainly was a test of perseverence, doing hard work after getting tired of doing the hard work I already did. But it was worth it.

Ometepe
Nicaragua

 

Walking the Plank

It was a cold and foggy morning when I awoke that morning in my hotel. My upset tummy hadn't subsided, and the effects of the high altitude were still there. I didn't want to get out of my bed, but I forced myself to and embarked on the 10mi loop of Laguna Quilotoa.

And I was glad I did, for the vistas I encountered were sublime, combining breath-taking scenery, high-alpine atmosphere, and the glistening lake in a volcanic crater. It was a visual treat to see this grand spectacle of geology stretching between the turquoise waters of the lake, the ragged walls of the crater, the tiny farms and fields on the outer slopes, dotted with distant Andean villages getting ready for the morning rituals just as the sun broke through the fog.

As I turn my sights once again towards the volcanic mountain ranges of Central and South America, I was reminded of this trek in Ecuador, and of the other dramatic volcanoes and the Andean range that forms the spine of the continent. And I can't wait to explore more of it.

Quilotoa
Cotopaxi Ecuador

A Bend in the River II

As I came across this bend in the river, ensconced in the vibrant coniferous greenery of the Canadian Rockies, I was reminded of another similar bend in the Colorado river near the town of Page, AZ. While the contrast couldn't be more different, there was common thread that connected these two natural wonders, ie, water.

It was water that carved away the deep gorge in the red sandstone layers of the desert Southwest, and it was water that carved away these layers of sedimentary rock of the geologically young Canadian Rockies. While one region was a waterless desert, this one had all the markings of a lush rainforest, signifying the over-abundance of water.

I enjoyed walking in this forest, even as I was getting soaked in the misty rain that was so typical of this breath-taking region of Canada

Banff National Park
AB Canada

Holy Light

I have been duly impressed by the awe-inspiring cathedrals of continental Europe, with their dazzling architecture inside and out, their intricate inlays, beautiful frescoes and colorful stained-glass windows, and had been hard-pressed to find something equivalent on the other side of the Atlantic. That held true until I visited the beautiful Notre Dame of Montreal.
Ornate documentation and vibrant colors add life to a rectangular floorplan lacking a nave and transept, while complex woodwork in the pulpit and the altar showcase the creative strengths the original designer. It was a memorable experience to wander around the peaceful cathedral, admiring the showmanship of its creators.

Montreal
QC, Canada

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Blue Hour at the Blue City

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To visit Morocco is like turning the pages of some illuminated Persian manuscript all embroidered with bright shapes and subtle lines

Edith Wharton

Search for Chefchaouen and you get dazzling imagery of vibrant blue alleys and embroidered doorways framing the everyday life of the local community which thrives there. I got very absorbed exploring the innumerable unnamed streets, staring at artwork in colorful cul-de-sacs, enjoying the local children playing games, eyeing the variety of carpets and spices on sale in the souvenir stores, and catching the odd glimpse of feline denizens who seem to have command of the town with a calm demeanor.

I decided to take a step back to see how it was actually laid out, and until I got to that vista point, I never realized the scale of that town. From high above, the medina was a smorgasbord of "blue"-washed concrete buildings smashed together high up in the up on the hillside, with orange street-lights highlighting the thoroughfares snaking up the hills and highlighting the mosques that acted as focal points for the medina.I tried to imagine how it would have been a few decades ago, a thriving community of traders nestled high in the mountains. And how now, we, as tourists, get the opportunity and resources to visit places like these....