[Saurabh M]

How did you find the interior space??

Well, its an out and out driver's car. The front seats are very well positioned. The essential controls fall well in place, except the stereo controls. The audio controls appear quite primitive and quite low placed. Which means that you will have to take your eye away from the road to fiddle with the stereo. Moreover, this version did not have any audion controls on the steering. It, however, came with a in-dash, 6 CD changer with good sound quality.

There is absolutely no leg room at the rear, if you push the front seats a bit back. I guess, the rear seats must be meant for fat dogs only to lie down.

The grip of the steering wheel was also frustrating and quite narrow.

What are those cracks on the road in that picture before the Zion?

I guess the cracks keep developing due to the extreme climatic conditions, with large temperature differences between days and nights.

[nikunj_cal]

Amazing photos. Can you please email them at their full blown resolution to my email id. I would like to set them as my desktop background ! Did you use a DSLR with a tripod to take those photos by any chance ??

[mjothi]

For a moment I thought you went to Mars!!!

Excellent photography.

I love that bike. Beautiful art in the machine.

Keep them coming.

[planet_rocker]

what is wrong with you bongs (@1100D and Saurabh)? why are the exotic places always attracting you guys? don't you guys ever feel lazy?

on a serious note: superb pics Saurabh. keep the thread updated with more pics.

Rated 5 stars.

[Saurabh M]

Amazing photos. Can you please email them at their full blown resolution to my email id. I would like to set them as my desktop background ! Did you use a DSLR with a tripod to take those photos by any chance ??

The file size are quite big, so might be difficult to mail them. I would suggest that you wait for the travelogue to complete. I am sure you will get more pics to put on your desktop background After that, you can pick and choose and I can send you those specific ones.

The night shots and the shots from air were taken with an Olympus FE340, without a tripod. The rest are taken on a Nikon D80.

keep the thread updated with more pics.

What you have seen yet is nothing compared to what is yet to come . Thanks for the 5 star rating.

On a different note, this is probably the last chance for a long drive before winter sets in.

[1100D]

Originally Posted by Saurabh M

What you have seen yet is nothing compared to what is yet to come . Thanks for the 5 star rating.

You Bet!!

Sorry for checking this out quite late. The pictures are great.

Tell me about the Red-road on the opening shot of the Mustang.

[Saurabh M]

Tell me about the Red-road on the opening shot of the Mustang

This shot was taken inside Zion NP. The road through Zion is Copper in color. They have probably used the same material that is found in the mountains of Zion. Nevertheless, it does add a nice touch to the surroundings. The moment you cross out of Zion, the road becomes the usual black/grey color.

[Saurabh M]

It was time to leave Zion, as we had to reach North Rim by 4pm.



For those who haven't met me


After Zion, the road winds down to a very green plateau before it starts winding up again.

The vast plateau


2 extreme modes of exploring the Canyon


The best bet..kidding


North Rim is less popular with tourists than the South Rim and hence less crowded. It is also easier to find parking spaces and you can really enjoy the prestine nature here.

The customary shot


We made up some of the lost time at Zion and reach the North Rim Visitor Center by 4;30pm. Picked up a map from there and started exploring the surroundings. The North Rim has some beautiful cottages where one can spend the night.

The North Rim cottages


As I walk past the cottages and head towards Bright Angel point (one of the view points), I was simply awe-struck with the enormity of the Canyon. I was standing there, speechless and humbled by the creativity of Mother Nature. I was staring at one of the most magnificent sights on Earth. I had read about it in books and seen in movies, but never realized about the scale it might be.

I regain my senses and take a few pics. No pic can capture the true scale, due to its sheer scale. After spending around 45mins, we head towards another viewpoint, called the Point Imperial viewpoint. It’s a scenic drive to the viewpoint through forests and winding roads. Point Imperial, the highest point on the North Rim at 8,803 feet, overlooks the Painted Desert and the eastern end of Grand Canyon. Here the canyon transforms as the narrow walls of Marble Canyon, visible only as a winding gash, open dramatically to become “grand.” Layers of red and black rocks, not visible at Bright Angel Point, add contrast and color.

Thats Painted Desert in the distance


When we reach there, it was virtually empty, with a couple of cars scattered around the parking lot.

The lonely Mustang


It was getting cloudy and the air was getting cooler. We could clearly see the Painted Desert and the Marble Canyon from here. It was already 5:45pm. We took a few snaps and decided to wait for the sunset. The thick cloud cover was playing spoilsport but also added a dramatic touch to the whole setting.



Still to come, more pics of the North Rim. Stay Tuned.

[Saurabh M]

Here are some more pics from Bright Angel point.

When it was still sunny


More of Bright Angel Point


Someone daring


Probably one of the best views of the entire tour


The clouds start creeping in


Point Imperial. The Painted Desert getting under the cloud cover
Attachment 47465

Simply out of the world


Gradually the wind started picking up speed and it got much cooler.

Time to head back. Its really chilly now


But how can you go back before you catch a glimpse of the last Sun rays lit up the Canyon.

Nature's best


We stayed there till 7pm and started our journey back to Flagstaff. When we started, the Mustang was the only car left in the lot.

We still had around 200 miles to cover to reach Flagstaff. Most of these roads would be hilly terrain. Ours seemed to be the only car on the road.

The return journey was uneventful. We stopped a couple of times to tank up and take rest. It had been a long day.

While we head back, here's looking back at a day very well spent.


Finally we reached the hotel (Rodeway Inn) at Flagstaff at 10:30pm. I was very tired. We picked up food from a nearby Mac, put the cameras on charge and retired for the day.

Day 2 comes to an end here.

Still to come:

Day 3: South Rim, East Rim, Painted Desert, Monument Valley
Day 4: West Rim, Route 66, Hoover Dam

[1100D]

Breathtaking is an understatement, although I have a fair idea of how the reality is, inspite of these wonderful pictures, what to say other than "life is beautiful" (as long as you are exploring around).

[Saurabh M]

Can't agree more. The GC is one of the best creations of nature. It is virtually impossible to capture its grandeur in any form of photography. It needs to be experienced.

[P180V1]

EXCELLENT set of pics, & nice write up too.

CHEERS,
G D

[cooldude1988765]

Amazing pictures cant wait for day 3 and 4.
Which camera are you using BTW ?

[planet_rocker]

beautiful pics Saurabh.

how did you manage to bend the front registration plate?

[Saurabh M]

Which camera are you using BTW ?

Most of the pics are taken with a Nikon D80. The aerial ones and the night shots in the first post are with an Olympus FE340.

how did you manage to bend the front registration plate?

Well, it was already bent. On the contrary, I tried to make it straight, but could not.