Don's aerial assault of the Grand Canyon...

Don B. · #1 Posted **Jul 8, 2007, 4:13 AM**

--don

KevinFromTexas · #2 Posted **Jul 8, 2007, 5:29 AM**

Beautiful. Looks like it was about to pour. Did it? The Western US is stunning. All the colors contrasting with each other. Simple beautiful. Thanks for posting those.

PHX602 · #3 Posted **Jul 8, 2007, 5:43 AM**

Stunning work.

innov8 · #4 Posted **Jul 8, 2007, 5:43 AM**

Fantastic Don... your shots are great as always

urbanflyer · #5 Posted **Jul 8, 2007, 11:07 AM**

Jesus Don...don't know how I missed these. Truly spectacular. This is why man learned to fly...

Don B. · #6 Posted **Jul 8, 2007, 1:22 PM**

^ Thanks.

Yes, it did rain. On my freshly detailed car. Then again, we need the rain and I had forgotten to do the modern rain dance (washing my car) so there it is.

It was a fairly bumpy ride for about 25 minutes with no A/C. I'm also terrified of heights. Therefore, I was sweating profusely and had some difficulty maintaining my composure. After my Hawaii helicopter tour (which lasted an hour), I now know better than to put myself in one of these for more than 30 minutes at a time.

But, it was all worth it.

--don

KevinFromTexas · #7 Posted **Jul 8, 2007, 11:11 PM**

Looks great. It's sort of surprising to see that much greenery there.

Locofresh55 · #8 Posted **Jul 9, 2007, 5:38 AM**

You know what you should try next time don???? Pics from the North Rim side. It's very rare to see pics from the North RIm...and truth be told, I'm not even sure if there are helicopter tours from the North Rim (Most people say it's hard enough just getting over there....especially if you live south of the canyon). I've been hearing about the SKywalk and how most environmentalists are upset at the native american nation that had this thing put in. This tribe is "SUPPOSED" to be one with nature and they would never damage their land...yet their is the SKYwalk and new mega casino/4Star hotel and now a possible expanded freeway to take you to the Skywalk. All to make some money......I guess. I for one do wanna try out the skywalk because that puts you 4000 FT about the canyon floor......That's like being 1500 ft about Burj Dubai. Anyways, DON..killer pics man....If you could do the same thing for like monument valley or petrified forest...I"d love to see those. TKS

olga · #9 Posted **Jul 9, 2007, 7:48 AM**

Wow,that surely is an amazing landscape. Great photos, I specially like the next to last one.

Don B. · #10 Posted **Jul 9, 2007, 12:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locofresh55

You know what you should try next time don???? Pics from the North Rim side. It's very rare to see pics from the North RIm...and truth be told, I'm not even sure if there are helicopter tours from the North Rim (Most people say it's hard enough just getting over there....especially if you live south of the canyon). I've been hearing about the SKywalk and how most environmentalists are upset at the native american nation that had this thing put in. This tribe is "SUPPOSED" to be one with nature and they would never damage their land...yet their is the SKYwalk and new mega casino/4Star hotel and now a possible expanded freeway to take you to the Skywalk. All to make some money......I guess. I for one do wanna try out the skywalk because that puts you 4000 FT about the canyon floor......That's like being 1500 ft about Burj Dubai. Anyways, DON..killer pics man....If you could do the same thing for like monument valley or petrified forest...I"d love to see those. TKS

Interesting you mention the Skywalk. That was my first choice, as the trip was a birthday gift from my partner. We drove up from Prescott, which is only 2 hours from the South Rim. However, it is 4.5 hours over dirt roads to the Skywalk and it is $75 per person, compared to $120 for the helicopter flight from the South Rim. That's why I chose the helicopter ride over the Skywalk.

As for the North Rim - yeah, I'd love to shoot from there someday. But it is another 5 hours of driving each way to get to the North Rim from the southern approach. I could almost make it to Salt Lake City or Denver in that time and distance, places I'd rather visit. Maybe some day.

Thanks...

--don

MayDay · #11 Posted **Jul 9, 2007, 3:14 PM**

Absolutely amazing shots, Don!

By the way, is everyone aware that you are NOT allowed to take cameras onto the skywalk? My partner and I briefly considered stopping by but with the $75 fee PLUS you can't take cameras, we said forget it.

Don B. · #12 Posted **Jul 9, 2007, 5:12 PM**

^ No, I wasn't aware of that, and if true, that's just stupid. Not allowed to take cameras out there? What would be the point of going?

Silliness.

--don

MayDay · #13 Posted **Jul 9, 2007, 5:32 PM**

From the official site (red arrow is my emphasis):

http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/mainmenu.html

Buckeye Native 001 · #14 Posted **Jul 9, 2007, 6:12 PM**

What, I can pay $75 dollars to see the Grand Canyon, but I can't bring my camera? No thanks.

Don, these are stunning pics, as usual. The Grand Canyon is by far the best thing about living in Arizona.

Locofresh55 · #15 Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 4:50 AM**

They're currently accepting nominations for the new 7 natural wonders of the world. If the Grand Canyon isn't a sure thing....Arizonans and even Americans will surely be in an uproar. Definitely gotta put the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef as two definites.

BTW DON...I'd hate to see you spend 75 bucks to have someone take a pic of your on the SKYwalk and it prolly won't even look good. I'd go with the chopper ride too.

Ex-Ithacan · #16 Posted **Jul 10, 2007, 4:33 PM**

Beautiful pics Don, thanks for braving the flight to bring them to us. These pics kind of make our scraper "canyons" seem insignificant. I guess Man isn't all that all the time. Thanks for the tour.

giallo · #17 Posted **Jul 11, 2007, 9:18 AM**

Fantastic photos, Don.

ltsmotorsport · #18 Posted **Jul 20, 2007, 8:57 AM**

Amazing photos. I really need to see this place in person.