Toroweap Trip (lotsapics!)

NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
edited February 28, 2013 in Journeys
Technically the trip was about shooting gorgeous landscapes, but... For me it was first and foremost about people. Hence I post it here.
Mods, feel free to move! :D

We took off from St.George, UT Friday 19th, soon after noon. In fact we started earlier, but a few stops for groceries and light lunch took their time.

We caravaned as three cars. The rest were supposed to meet us on location.

#1: This is the lead, Aaron (Nelson)'s Lexus, callsign "Quick Silver":

596677357_vBCYr-L.jpg

#2: Shaun's "Big Red":

596677603_du8ja-L.jpg

#3: And last but not least, Pathfinder's Honda, aka "White Kinght":

596677710_ZeoGC-L.jpg

#4: About an hour in we made a quick stop at the historic School House site:

596677247_cu3Mn-L.jpg

#5: Here's how it looks: a little one room white building in the middle of nowhere:

596677872_rbpXR-L.jpg

#6: The inside:

596676680_QTWtp-L.jpg

#7: Shaun is proving the fact the light is a product of labor and efforts:

596676976_bsqZp-XL.jpg

#8: After a school house stop we continued on a typical country/dirt road, minding the usual obstacles:
freely wandering cattle..:

596676591_77hmg-L.jpg

#9: "Friendly" settlers...

596678437_hgp3N-L.jpg

#10: And little sandpits:

596676487_qNMAN-L.jpg

#11: In fact, one such sand pit turned out to be a sand trap and really "caught" our attention by catching the Big Red:

596680612_TW6RU-L.jpg

#12: But nothing could stop us on our way!

596681172_Uw5CR-L.jpg

#13: And soon we were unloading our vehicles at the Toroweap campsites:

596683273_Y9jRg-L.jpg

#14: It's great to be in a shade amidst 110 degree day:

596683548_8EpfY-L.jpg

#15: Eternal question: how many photographers does it take to set up one tent?:

596684451_mwBZY-L.jpg

#16: Chris enjoys living on the edge:

596685316_9zWsR-XL.jpg

#17: Later in the evening we went to the West Point to catch on the sunset.
K-dog and Pathfinder are busy with their gear:

596694933_Gv2DV-XL.jpg

#18: Jim and Toroweap:

596695021_haMfQ-XL.jpg

#19: Our host and leader, Aaron Nelson:

596686018_WHQX2-XL.jpg

#20: Fearless Sand Kicker, Shaun Nelson:

596685739_HHASe-XL.jpg

#21: You will never see Joel (aka K-dog, aka F-stop) without his 1.3 metric ton tripod:

596685689_iv5NR-XL.jpg

#22: Joel and Shimon at the famous "Nelson Point":

596695264_BuWkA-XL.jpg

#23: It was all nice and great an hour or so in the morning. From the the moment the sun was up it took no longer than 30 minutes to force us all to retire under the shade of our gazebos, where we were doomed to spend the rest of the day:

596686431_rYhoe-L.jpg

#24: Another morning, another sunrise.
Folks at Nelson Point (they do love to live dangerously!:-)

596686964_aE6hp-XL.jpg

#25: Group portrait on our way back:

596696738_iZEZx-L.jpg

#26: Quick Silver and White Knight crews decided to stop at a Namaweap.
It only took a few miles down a *really* bumpy road by car and about a mile by foot (local flies were really enjoying a surprise lunch):

596689266_hVmAf-L.jpg

#27: What we didn't expect to find was a pre-historic version of dgrin.

Here are a few posts we managed to decypher:
C4V3M4N wrote:
Hey, gang, I my first ever full moon shot. I think I really got the craters! What do you think?:

596689748_T5TiR-L.jpg

#28:
Koy0te wrote:
Help! Had another group shoot and didn't like poses... What can I do better next time?

596690444_X9jYh-L.jpg

#29:
WildLifeShooter wrote:
Took a quick two-month trip to Las Vegas to visit WoodBill. Gosh, what a wild place! I reallly don't get it why somebody would like to move over there from our quiet lovely Namaweap cave.
Nevertheless, shot this on my way back. Was tasty, too:

596691401_cgcoU-L.jpg

#30:
BugLife wrote:
I got the cover of the "Bugs Daily":

596691228_VggTL-L.jpg

#31:
Ialokin wrote:
Sunday tease (18+): Namaweap, meet lovely Gretchen:

596694287_9XTxh-XL.jpg

@Mods: I'm not sure about if this level of nudity is OK for a public display, so feel free to move it to the BodyWork section of the creek.
Mind you, though, the piece "weighs" about 21 megapounds, so might as well leave it "as is"....


#32: All in all, the art was so familiar, no wonder Jim and Chris went all apey:

596694877_AAUJC-L.jpg

Enjoy! More snapshots here: http://nik.smugmug.com/Travel/837954

More serious work to follow...

This post was made with the assistance of Star*Explorer
"May the f/stop be with you!"
«1

Comments

  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited July 20, 2009
    :D:D:D
    You guys had great time out there !

    Nice photos
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • divamumdivamum Registered Users Posts: 9,021 Major grins
    edited July 20, 2009
    Well didn't you boys just have a good time! (Glad to see a VUE in that mix to the view - we love ours! thumb.gif)

    And Aaron, really - you have NOT been posting your best SP's as an avatar :D The truth is out now... rolleyes1.gif
    facebook | photo site |
  • TangoTango Registered Users Posts: 4,592 Major grins
    edited July 20, 2009
    Nik, what a riot!!! rolleyes1.gif nice pics! I love Shauns shirt patch....rolleyes1.gif
    I really like the shot under the tents with the GC in the BG!!!

    Diva, I still dont have any SP.... ne_nau.gif well except the one i did for the mini last year...but i think i burned it....
    Aaron Nelson
  • CWSkopecCWSkopec Registered Users Posts: 1,325 Major grins
    edited July 20, 2009
    Nik, great work! thumb.gif

    The prehistoric version of DGrin cracked me up!!

    I'm not sure what those 2 guys are doing in the last one, but I'm sure they've been in the desert too long and have heat stroke! rolleyes1.gif
    Chris
    SmugMug QA
    My Photos
  • theNOIZtheNOIZ Registered Users Posts: 272 Major grins
    edited July 20, 2009
    Nikolai,

    Great shots! It took me $10 in quarters at the local car wash to clean Big Red. Poor Shimon is somewhere in that cloud of sand and silt.
    Shaun Nelson
    [Facebook] [Twitter]
    www.ShaunNelsonPhotography.com
  • jdfaithjdfaith Registered Users Posts: 172 Major grins
    edited July 20, 2009
    Great photos and what would seem to be an even better experience and memories.

    John
    http://www.jdfaith.smugmug.com

    Take more pictures!
  • anwmn1anwmn1 Registered Users Posts: 3,469 Major grins
    edited July 20, 2009
    rolleyes1.gif

    Glad to see you are keeping with the journey humor of shots and quotes. Very fun stuff and love the front wheel drive rooster tail! deal.gif
    "The Journey of life is as much in oneself as the roads one travels"


    Aaron Newman

    Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
    Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    Great set Nik. Love that Big Red sand shot rolleyes1.gif Funny now, but not then.

    It was great finally getting to meet you.
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • FlutistFlutist Registered Users Posts: 704 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    How fun!!! clap.gif
    ~Shannon~

    Canon 50D, Rebel XTi,Canon 24-105L, Canon 50mm 1.8, Tamron 28-75 2.8, 430EX
    www.sbrownphotography.smugmug.com
    my real job
    looking for someone to photograph my wedding 8/11
  • NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    Really enjoyed these, Nik! Thanks!
    "Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

    http://www.behance.net/brosepix
  • TangoTango Registered Users Posts: 4,592 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    I thought maybe I could add a few Nik!!!


    Dan (dlplumer)
    remembrance of his school days,...the school bell.
    20090717-IMG_1322.jpg


    Chris (CWSkopec) (he loves his hat - incase you didnt catch that):D
    20090718-IMG_3067.jpg

    Jim (Pathfinder)
    20090718-IMG_3065.jpg

    and ofcourse Jims Stallion thee "White Knight"
    20090717-IMG_1320.jpg
    Aaron Nelson
  • CWSkopecCWSkopec Registered Users Posts: 1,325 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    That hat has been a good friend and a faithful soldier for nearly 10 years now... it's probably the most comfotable article of clothing I own! eek7.gif

    My girlfriend hates it, of course, but I'll keep wearing it until it's truly just threads!! :D
    Chris
    SmugMug QA
    My Photos
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    CWSkopec wrote:
    That hat has been a good friend and a faithful soldier for nearly 10 years now... it's probably the most comfotable article of clothing I own! eek7.gif

    My girlfriend hates it, of course, but I'll keep wearing it until it's truly just threads!! :D
    I hear ya... I have a couple of clothing items like that... deal.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    A Few More
    KDOG, another Yoda

    596941290_kCooe-L-2.jpg

    AZZARO (Gary) and Chris (the eldest and youngest amongst us)

    596939306_gZJFZ-L-1.jpg

    Nik, modeling

    596935864_BXnk8-L-1.jpg

    Jim Pathfinder (our resident physician)

    596937688_jnUeA-L-1.jpg

    theNoise (Shaun)

    596943453_PQaNu-L-1.jpg

    Shimon (another Yoda) on the edge

    597562805_bvKzu-L.jpg

    Yours truly having a bad hair day

    596945267_MRcej-L-1.jpg

    and our host and leader Aaron the paratrooper Nelson

    596933055_sJUKn-L-1.jpg
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    Nik,

    Looks like a very nice Journey, which is why I moved it to.... ta da... Journeys! :D
    Moderator Emeritus
    Dgrin FAQ | Me | Workshops
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    DavidTO wrote:
    Nik,

    Looks like a very nice Journey, which is why I moved it to.... ta da... Journeys! :D
    So be it:-) thumb.gif

    I think you're sure glad it's not Stone Age anymore thou :-)
    (I'm referring to my #31 "@Mods" line in case you've missed it:-)
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    Great candids, Dan! thumb.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • theNOIZtheNOIZ Registered Users Posts: 272 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    Dan,

    Great shots!

    Man, I'm ugly. I'm cool, but ugly. rolleyes1.gif

    That candid shot of Aaron is great. It's a "kinder, gentler, Aaron avatar." :D
    Shaun Nelson
    [Facebook] [Twitter]
    www.ShaunNelsonPhotography.com
  • EiaEia Registered Users Posts: 3,627 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    And here I thought you guys would look intimidating! :D

    Glad to see you had a great time and pics to show!
    ~AnnaMaria~ My little life in God's big universe
  • CuongCuong Registered Users Posts: 1,510 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    dlplumer wrote:
    Nik, modeling

    596935864_BXnk8-L-1.jpg
    Nik, looks like your nude photography is rubbing off on you.:D

    Cuong
    "She Was a Little Taste of Heaven – And a One-Way Ticket to Hell!" - Max Phillips
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 21, 2009
    Cuong wrote:
    Nik, looks like your nude photography is rubbing off on you.:D
    Cuong
    Laughing.gif!
    Yes, it's a fine example of how one can use carefully yet naturally placed limbs to cover the hawt zones and create an "implied" image out of a totally unclothed subject...mwink.gifrolleyes1.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited July 22, 2009
    What a great bunch of candid shots! And what a fantastic trip.

    We had great discussions sitting in the shade waiting for the sun to drop low enough for us to survive in the sunshine.

    The White Knight survived the trip to Toroweap and back, and has carried me through Arizona to New Mexico in a absolutely drenching rain storm, so much of the dirt has miraculously washed a way.

    A white truck always looks clean and official, like an Authorized Vehicle.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 22, 2009
    pathfinder wrote:
    What a great bunch of candid shots! And what a fantastic trip.

    We had great discussions sitting in the shade waiting for the sun to drop low enough for us to survive in the sunshine.

    The White Knight survived the trip to Toroweap and back, and has carried me through Arizona to New Mexico in a absolutely drenching rain storm, so much of the dirt has miraculously washed a way.

    A white truck always looks clean and official, like an Authorized Vehicle.
    Great to hear you and (now clean) WK made it! :-)
    It was awesome to hang out with you again! thumb.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • anwmn1anwmn1 Registered Users Posts: 3,469 Major grins
    edited July 22, 2009
    Some great portraits added to this thread. These trips are so much fun to be a part of - I can't wait for the next one so I can participate. deal.gif:D
    "The Journey of life is as much in oneself as the roads one travels"


    Aaron Newman

    Website:www.CapturingLightandEmotion.com
    Facebook: Capturing Light and Emotion
  • TangoTango Registered Users Posts: 4,592 Major grins
    edited July 24, 2009
    Lords a Leaping

    20090717-IMG_2921.jpg

    20090719-IMG_1371.jpg

    20090718-IMG_1340.jpg

    20090718-IMG_1331.jpg

    20090718-IMG_1339.jpg
    Aaron Nelson
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 24, 2009
    AaronNelson wrote:
    Lords a Leaping...
    I knew this would come about... mwink.gifrolleyes1.gif
    IMPORTANT: you have to pull up your mental strength and imagine a scantily clad lady instead of me. Then F-stop's pose would be totally natural and the whole picture gets 10 times better deal.gifrolleyes1.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited July 24, 2009
    I love this shot clap.gifiloveyou.gif
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited July 24, 2009
    Nikolai wrote:
    IMPORTANT: you have to pull up your mental strength and imagine a scantily clad lady instead of me. Then F-stop's pose would be totally natural and the whole picture gets 10 times better deal.gifrolleyes1.gif

    Maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do. mwink.gifrolleyes1.gif

    Hey Nik, great set! clap.gif Really love the memories you captured here. Great photography and I love 'em all. Kudos to Aaron for getting the money shot as well. :D

    Looking forward to the next outing, wherever that is.

    Cheers,
    -joel
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited July 24, 2009
    kdog wrote:
    Maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do. mwink.gifrolleyes1.gif

    Hey Nik, great set! clap.gif Really love the memories you captured here. Great photography and I love 'em all. Kudos to Aaron for getting the money shot as well. :D

    Looking forward to the next outing, wherever that is.

    Cheers,
    -joel
    I'm thinking Sequioia/Kings Canyon. Or maybe Death Valley/Mono Lake again... I just need to find a willing model mwink.gif
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited February 28, 2013
    Great to re-visit these photos, especially yours, Nik. Great trip wings.gif
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
Sign In or Register to comment.