"Passport Series USA"
Passport series is a travel photography project, this time it's an incredible journey through the natural parks of the United States of America in 2023.
"Passport series - USA" - Author Photography
After a stopover from Porto to Madrid, where I spent the night, to return to Lisbon for a 13-hour flight, my road trip through the natural parks of the United States of America begins in California.
Don't make the same mistake as me, you can't book a flight with several stopovers and only check in on the last one before your destination. That was my idea, to board the direct flight to San Francisco in Lisbon, but the price was appealing, but there was the inconvenience of the Porto-Madrid trip, with a night's "stay" at the airport and an early morning flight to Lisbon to finally board the final flight, which took 13 hours.
After the first bump in the road, I arrive in San Francisco.
I picked up the car, which had already been rented here, checked into the first of several motels along this trip and began to discover the city.
First stop was the Palace of Fine Arts in Marina Disctrict, which has a good view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the famous Alcatraz prison.
A short drive to Battery Spencer, a viewpoint by the Golden Gate with an incredible view over the bridge and the city.
Making the most of the time available, I was also able to get a view of the city from Twin Peaks, in the city center.
The first day ends with jet lag, sleep and changed schedules, but I'm happy to be on a different trip, alone, with no worries or pressure.
The second day begins with a 3-hour drive into the interior of the first natural park, Yosamite Valley.
For someone who likes photography, Yosemite Park is immediately associated with the work of photographer Ansel Adams and when you get here, you realize why he spent so much time photographing and documenting this area so well.
The scale, size and imposing nature of the el capitan or half dome, which are the highest points, leaves you speechless. There's no way of describing being in front of 2000 meters of rock and stone that rises steeply next to you. One of the things that impresses about the USA is the obvious scale and size.
One of the aims of the trip was to do some trails and spend some time in nature and the places I was going to pass through. The trails are very well signposted, there's plenty of information available and there are also lots of people doing the trails, so it was very difficult to get lost. There was still a bit of snow/ice at the highest points, even though it was the middle of May.
After visiting Death Valley, where we found the Badwatter Basin, one of the lowest points on the planet, about 86 meters below sea level, with temperatures around 42/43 degrees. Passing Zabriskie Point and Artist Palette on the way back to Las Vegas.
From Las Vegas I went to the Hualapai Indian Reservation, where the West entrance to the Grand Canyon is located.
The Grand Canyon is a valley about 446 km long and about 19 km at its widest, formed by erosion and carved by the Colorado River. Once again, words fail to describe its size and impact.
A storm and possible thunderstorm prevented access to the famous suspended Skywalk viewpoint, which is made of iron.
So, after spending some time in other parts of the reserve, I hit the road to visit the main entrance to the Grand Canyon visitor center.
After a night's rest, in the morning I set off in the direction of Page, Arizona.
This whole area has colors and a completely surreal aspect, the various shades of orange are predominant in the landscape, with its maximum exponent in Antelope Canyon.
The various canyons are located in a reservation and area protected by the Navajo tribe, and as such, all visits are accompanied and guided by members of the tribe. The fact that the tour is guided makes it a little more educational and enlightening about the history of the area.
By this time, I had already met several people from various states, made some friendships that happened because I was so willing to travel alone and was more available to approach and be approached.
By this stage, the image I had of the American people was already quite positive, due to the friendliness and kindness I encountered throughout the trip. Inside, Americans aren't much different from the Portuguese, in fact.
"The road matters more than the arrival"
T.S. Eliot
As you can see from the images, Antelope Canyonis undoubtedly a place that looks like it's straight out of a movie. The erosion that has taken place over millions of years has transformed this place into a unique space, with completely surreal shapes and colors. There are several canyons, I had the opportunity to visit one in the morning, Antelope X and Lower Antelope in the afternoon.
The visit takes about an hour and there are several groups, which doesn't allow enough time to photograph as I would like and as this place deserves, but it's worth the visit, you enter a place that transports you to another dimension.
The end of the day was used to watch the sunset at Horsehoe Bend, where the Colorado River makes a 180º turn.
The day starts early, or rather, every day of this trip meant waking up early, because almost every day there was a "short" journey of 2 or 3 hours between the destinations I had planned.
This day was dedicated to hiking in Bryce Canyon, along The Navajo Loop Trail, which is the best and simplest way to get to know this amphitheater.
Most of these natural parks are accessible with the purchase of an annual pass, which allows entry to these and other parks. At the entrance to the parks, there is a gate where you can present the pass or buy the entrance ticket, where you will be given maps and useful information. There are well-marked parking lots and almost all the parks have a network of buses that loop around the various points of interest. So everything is well organized and practical so that you can enjoy nature without any confusion.
The last park to visit is Zion National Park. For a change, another place with a giant dimension, a huge valley with enormous cliffs and mountains, where you feel small.
The morning was dedicated to hiking one of the most famous trails, Angels Landing. The trail has a certain difficulty and is not suitable for people with a fear of heights, not least because at the highest point we reached 1760 meters.
The risk is real, not least because 16 deaths were reported in 2023. The winding, tight and, in some areas, almost steep climb is only possible with the help of an iron chain that helps to support those going up, but also those coming down, in exactly the same place at the same time. So you can't be too careful.
That said, the experience is incredible, the adrenaline rush of overcoming a demanding challenge makes reaching the highest point even more valuable, and contemplating the beauty of the landscape makes it worth the difficulty and the risk.
It was the best way to round off this trip. Driving more than 4,000 kilometers, alone and without internet, being able to connect with the places and the people, without rushing, visiting and getting to know as I pleased, was undoubtedly a very positive way.
The trip ends with a return to Las Vegas for the flight to New York.
"A mind that opens up to a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions"
Oliver Wendell Holmes