So 4 AM came and I hit the road to take some great sunrise photos in Sedona, AZ. It hasn’t rained in this area in over 2 months, but of course the day I choose to make this side trip it decides to rain ALL day!!!

I shot anyway but didn’t nearly get what I wanted, not a single ray of sunshine was able to punch through the clouds! The colors are washed out and the contrast is horrible. I was using Velvia on the RZ67, so hopefully the colors from the rock and brush pop out a bit more. Shots from the D2X are posted below. These are unedited straight from the camera, maybe some Photoshop magic will bring them to life…

I haven’t done NEARLY as many activities as I planned before I came out here (hence the combined days post), but that’s OK! To be honest, I enjoyed simply relaxing at café and restaurant outdoor patios and enjoying the weather. My only regret is not shooting more. I’m FINALLY driving up to Sedona in a few hours for some sunrise shooting. I planned to go the past couple of days, but wind storms and threat of rain prevented it. It’s actually raining as I write this, but one way or another I’m headed up.

Those who know me know that I am NOT an early morning person, so I’m pulling an all nighter then heading out around 4 AM. I should get there around 5:30, which gives me enough time to find a decent spot to setup and shoot. I’m hoping some of the clouds are still around to add some drama to the shots, time will tell! I bought a couple of rolls of Fuji Velvia just for the occasion. In the mean time, I’m sitting here in this Denny’s inhaling coffee. It’s gonna be a long night!

As far as activities during the week that are worth mentioning. I ate dinner @ Maria Maria, great Skirt Steak! I went to a club called PHX Nightclub which left a lot to be desired. The older I get the more I can appreciate bars and lounges. I’m not a big drinker at all, but I love to converse! All the “ra ra” of clubs doesn’t appeal to me as much any more. Maybe had I not work in one for a couple of years the interest would still be there. Then again, maybe it was just a lame club! LOL

Days 3 & 4 of the trip were pretty uneventful. I went to a spoken word event on the night of day three that turned out to be very nice. I finally got a chance to meet up with another old friend (Dana) on day 4 at a restaurant called the Bamboo Club. Again, it was great to see an old face!

The rest of the time was spent relaxing, enjoying the weather, and working on a new project. Tuesday will be the first desert adventure day, so I should have plenty of photos to post!

I woke up and wrapped up planning for the rest of my trip. Every day isn’t accounted for, but I’ll just wing it and make them random adventure days. Today’s agenda consists of being outside soaking up this fantastic weather, driving around and learning the area a bit, and generally doing a whole lot of nothing!

I managed to find a small Creole/Caribbean restaurant near Tempe. I was really hoping to get some curry goat, but jerk chicken and red beans & rice hit the spot! If you are in the mood for desert try the Southern Pecan, Chocolate Chip, or Banana Waffle w/whip cream!

2727 E. Broadway Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85040

The owners of the restaurant are super nice! They gave me a few tips on what to check out while I was here, they even told me to check out the competition (another Caribbean restaurant down the street)! After I left I felt like driving around some more and taking in some sights…

Later I met up with my friend Tanya and her boyfriend for drinks at a place called San Felipe Cantina Restaurant in Tempe. I recently connected with a LOT of my friends from elementary school on Facebook, Tanya is one of them. I’ve known most of them since kindergarten! I hadn’t seen her since eighth grade, it was good to see an old face from my childhood. Another old classmate was suppose to meet us as well but she had to cancel. ( Dana!) We all plan to hookup later this week with a couple of others as well.

I had a hell of a headache after I left (and no, not from drinking!), so I called it a night when I got back to my room. I’m looking forward to another day of beautiful weather tomorrow!

I have quite a few friends who’ve visited Phoenix, AZ and later moved there.  Just about all of them love living in Phoenix, so I figured I’d check it out.  I hear Phoenix has some fantastic scenery, so I’m looking forward to doing some shooting (photography people!) out in the desert and mountains as well as connect with old faces!

I caught an early flight out of O’Hare and arrived at Sky Harbor Airport around 11 AM.  The flight was pretty smooth except for a little turbulence over the Rocky Mountains.  Then again, I slept almost the whole flight!  I was up the entire night before preparing for the trip and taking care of a few other odds and ends.  I stepped off of the plane and…ahhhhh, heat!!!  I was born and raised in Chicago so you’d think I’d be use to the cold.  I swear my body was built for year round good weather.  One of these days I’ll relocate…Phoenix perhaps???

Anyway, I made my way to baggage claim and then took a shuttle to the car rental building.  I was almost duped into upgrading to a compact by the customer rep guy.  He told me I probably wouldn’t “fit” into the compact.  After I told him I’d manage he said my car wouldn’t have power locks, power windows, or AC!!!  Had there not been a 48% “airport” tax on the rental I may have considered paying the $150 he asked for the upgrade.  When I went to garage to pick up my car I found out that I was allowed to pickup whatever car that had in the lot.  I went ahead of got the Dodge Caliber as I was suppose to have gotten in the first place, but of course I got the one with AC, power everything, and XM Radio as an extra perk. 

By then I was starving and sleepy, but I wanted to explore just a little.  I drove downtown for a bit, took in the scenery (and fantastic 80 degree weather!), and headed out a ways from downtown.  Finally I stopped at McD’s to grab something quick to eat and enter the address of the hotel in my GPS.  I must have been using “the force” when I was driving, as the hotel was less than a mile and a half away.

My room is TINY, but nice.  Apparently they have been remodeling all of their rooms.  I think I’m the first person to stay in this room since it was made over, it still has a faint scent of new paint and fresh hardwood.

I took a long much needed nap, showered & shaved, and headed out to do a lil’ exploring.  By then it was dark so I didn’t take any photos.  Right now I’m planning out the day for tomorrow.  Hopefully I’ll have something much more interesting to post!

Goodnight all…