Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2012/05/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I will do this on-list just in case anyone else is interested. The Monument Valley is really something completely different, and in a good way. You can visit any time, but obviously the weather is a factor (i.e. it may be too hot to enjoy it even now) - check the site for details. It's not a National Park, as the entry guard cheerfully tells you. For $5 per vehicle, it's a bargain at that. The basic idea is that you drive around a loop of ~14 miles. They say be prepare to stop for pictures so count on 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I did it in 4 hours :-) You never get too close to the fantastic formation but my longest lens is 85/2, and I feel it's sufficient. I don't think this is a detail shots type of environment. When you enter, you can stop at the visitor center, with food and a hotel, and indeed you can stay there all day as it is the high section of the valley. Amazing Sunset view, apparently. I bet a 150mm lens will serve well. If you drive, make sure you car has reasonably high clearance. I saw some Altima struggling the last 200 feet back up. On my Rav4, I used first gear and the car sensor kept telling me that I had no traction (duh). It's not bad really if you are used to sand or snow, but I did see couple people struggling (no traction, slid down...) You can also hire a Najavo guide to take you around. Normally you are not allowed to go off path, either on car or on foot. I do not know how much they charge but my guess is that they are relatively inexpensive. They also seem to be very patient, doing it on your schedule. Throughout the loop, there are side branches, usually with some vista and people selling beads and such. You can rent a horse tour etc. Next time I go, I may get there the previous night and hire a guide for some morning photos, we will see. Definitely well worth the experience. I can't really say why, but I am totally in awe of the place. On Tue, May 22, 2012 at 11:05 AM, Aram Langhans <leica_r8 at hotmail.com>wrote: > Gorgeous shots, Richard. I am thinking of a trip to Monument Valley. > Have driven by three times now and not stopped. Please contact me off > list about the details. Like, do you need to book a tour or can you drive > in by yourself? Best times of day? all the goodies.... > > Aram > > ------------------------------**-------------------- > From: "Richard Man" <richard at richardmanphoto.com> > Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 12:49 AM > > To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org> > Subject: [Leica] And now for something, only slightly different > > "Last one" from the Monument Valley. It took time to process it the way I >> really want: >> >> http://www.richardmanphoto.**com/PICS/L1011743-Edit-Edit.**jpg<http://www.richardmanphoto.com/PICS/L1011743-Edit-Edit.jpg> >> >> C&C always welcome >> -- >> // richard >> <http://www.richardmanphoto.**com<http://www.richardmanphoto.com> >> > >> >> >> > ______________________________**_________________ > Leica Users Group. > See > http://leica-users.org/**mailman/listinfo/lug<http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug>for > more information > -- // richard <http://www.richardmanphoto.com>