Susan and I have always enjoyed traveling and this page chronicles our travels.
In 2008 we started a new chapter in our travels.  In planning for a photo trip in southern Utah with a few friends from Intel, we determined a 4 wheel drive vehicle would be needed to see all the sights.  While a rental was considered, I felt there would be more trips, so I bought a Land Cruiser and made some modifications for offroading.  Since then we have been “Going boldly where few have gone before”.

Click on the blue links below for a trip’s photos.

For another place to start try my Favorites, a smaller collection.

To message me click Contact

National Parks and Monuments are in this green font (these are NOT links).

  • 2022
    • Moab area – October 2022 
      • Susan and Cliff travel to Moab and meet up with our friend Ben from San Jose.   The three of us travel through the incredible scenery that surrounds Moab, including Arches National Park.
    • San Rafael Swell – October 2022 
      • Susan and Cliff travel to Hanksville, UT and explore the Swell.  We find spectacular slot canyons and a herd of wild horses.
    • Fall Colors – October 2022 
      • Susan and Cliff travel to an area near Capitol Reef National Park, Utah and the San Juan Mountain of Colorado to find fall colors.
    • National Museum of Military Vehicles – August 2022 
      • Susan and Cliff travel to this award-winning 140,000 sq. foot Museum in Dubois, WY which has nearly 500 fully restored military vehicles, and artillery pieces with a current emphasis on the American experience in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
    • San Rafael Swell – July 2022
      • Susan and Cliff take Roger who had stopped in on his way back from the East Coast. We take the scenic route over Highway 31 and go to the Little Grand Canyon in the Swell.
    • Hill Aerospace Museum – July 2022
      • This museum has many of the Air Force’s aircraft since WWII.   Roger, Susan and Cliff spend a few enjoyable hours there.
    • Land Cruiser Heritage Museum – July 2022
      • World’s best Land Cruiser Museum. If photos of Land Cruisers is not your thing, better pass on this link. Susan and Cliff spend a few hours checking out almost a 100 Cruisers.
    • Springville Art City Days – June 2022
      • We take a short break from house hunting to attend some of the events at Springville’s Art City Days. Balloon Fest, Balloon Glow, Parade, Concert by Bohemian Queen (a Queen cover band), Fireworks.
    • Chino Valley Car Show – April 2022
      • We stumble across a neat local car show.
    • Phoenix Arizona – January 2022
      • Susan and I meet up with Don and Debbie in Phoenix for a short break from our home search.  It is Don and Debbie’s first outing with their new travel trailer. 

        Desert Botanical Garden with Chihuly glass art on display adds to the experience.
        Taliesin West – Frank Lloyd Wright’s home.  The Chihuly displays add an interesting element to the visit. 
        Musical Instrument Museum – has a collection of more than 8,000 instruments from more than 200 countries.
        The Phoenix Zoo, Martin Auto Museum, and the Buddy Stubbs Motorcycle Museum round out our visit to Phoenix.

  • 2021
    • Lake Powell – September 2021
      • Don, Debbie, Ben, Melinda, Karl, Garth, Richard, Susan and Cliff spend 7 days on Lake Powell in Glen Canyon NRA.  We travel over 180 miles in the houseboat on the lake.  In Glen Canyon NRA we explore Reflection Canyon, Escalante River Arm, Hole in the Rock, and other spectacular areas along with Rainbow Bridge NM.
    • Northwestern National Parks – June 2021
      • Susan, Cliff and Joe travel to Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Devils Tower, Mt Rushmore, Badlands, Glacier, Crater Lake National Parks.
    • Arizona and Utah – April 2021
      • We (Don L (from Oregon), Vince (from WY), Duc, and myself) started with the offroad areas around St George, UT. After a couple of days we headed down thru the Grand Canyon–Parashant NM to  the Whitmore trailhead on the Grand Canyon. We head past Kanab to Big Water where we turned into the Glen Canyon NRA and caught Smoky Mt Rd north thru Grand Staircase Escalante NM to UT-12. We stayed in Hanksville, from there we went to the Factory Butte where we turned north heading into the south end of the San Rafael Swell and came out at Little Wild Horse Canyon in Goblin Valley State Park. 
    • The Mojave Road, Calif – March 2021
      • Don, Duc, Ben and Cliff with their four Land Cruisers tackle the famed Mojave Road, which takes us through the heart of the Mojave Desert and the Mojave National Preserve.   We started from Barstow and were surprised by the diverse scenery we found along the Mojave Road.  The trail’s use by native Americans goes back at least a thousand years.
  • 2020
  • 2019
    • Southwest US – September 2019
      • Susan, Cliff & Marilyn – Nevada, Arizona and Utah – Gold Butte NM, Grand Canyon NP, (Navajo Tribal Parks, Upper Antelope Canyon & Monument Valley), Natural Bridges, Goblin Valley State Park, Capitol Reef, Arches & Bryce NP & many other scenic sights.
    • San Juan Mountains – August 2019
      • Ben, Duc, Don and Cliff met up with Wendy and Vince in Silverton, CO.  Scenic 4 wheel drive trails in the high country of the San Juan Mtns, Colorado. Then the amazing backcountry of Canyonlands NP Needles District and continue on a 4×4 trail through Beef Basin & Bears Ears NM, Utah.  Then on to Capitol Reef NP, and Bryce NP, Utah
    • Central Nevada – June 2019
      • Don, Ben & Cliff take their Land Cruisers to explore the region between Austin and Tonopah, Nevada
    • Cruise Moab – May 2019
      • Ben, Duc, Tucker & Cliff take scenic backroads to Utah.  Meeting up with Vince in Nevada then on to Arizona’s Grand Canyon–Parashant NM & Grand Canyon NP backcountry and then to Moab, Utah meeting up with Roger and Joe.
    • Pre-Run for Cruise Moab Trail Leaders – April
      • Cliff made a quick trip to Moab, Utah for this training
    • Moab in Snow – January 2019
      • Susan & Cliff – Winter trip to Arizona’s Monument Valley and Utah’s Moab area
  • 2018
    • Death Valley – November 2018 
      • Tucker, Ben, Duc, Cliff and Don travel in their Land Cruisers and a Jeep through Death Valley NP’s backcountry.  Almost 90% of the park’s roads are 4 wheel drive roads and we take many of them to see the remote areas in the park.
    • San Francisco Fleet Week – October 2018
      • Joe, Susan and Cliff spend a day at the Fleet Week Airshow
    • San Juan Mountains – August 2018
      • Tucker, Duc and Cliff take a side trip on the Shafer 4×4 Trail in Canyonlands NP, Utah, then on to Silverton, CO where Richard and Don met us.   Over the next several days we take a number of scenic 4 wheel drive trails in the high country of the San Juan Mountain, Colorado. 
    • Oshkosh AirVenture – July 2018
      • Susan and Cliff have only a day to take in one of the largest airshows.  The airshow is cut short by a strong thunderstorm.
    • Cruise Moab – May 2018
      • At Cruise Moab Don, Paul, Ben, Vince and Cliff did Hells Revenge Trail, Fins N Things Trail, Arches NP, Steel Bender Trail and Poison Spider Trail.
    • Goblin & Hole in the Rock Trail – Apr 2018
      • Before Cruise Moab Don, Paul, Ben, Vince and Cliff travel to Goblin Valley State Park and thru Glen Canyon NRA to take the Hole in the Rock Trail on the south side of Lake Powell.
  • 2017
    • Eastern Oregon for Solar Eclipse – August 2017 
      • Susan & Cliff are in remote eastern Oregon to catch the total solar eclipse, and dodge the crowds to the west that flocked to see it.
    • San Juan Mountains (HIH) – July 2017
      • Cliff attends “Hundreds in the Hills” Land Cruiser Event on the scenic 4 wheel drive trails in the high country of the San Juan Mtns, Colorado.  A stop in Moab, Utah on the way home for some photography at Marlboro Point.
    • Death Valley – May 2017
      • Cliff & Don in the backcountry of Death Valley NP
    • Texas Road Trip – April 2017
      • Cliff is on a road trip that takes him through- California, Death Valley NP, Arizona, Winslow, Petrified Forest NP, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Palo Duro Canyon State Park, and the VLA Radio Telescope (used in the movie Contact).
    • Carrizo Plains – April 2017
      • Susan & Cliff take in the spectacular wildflowers in Carrizo Plain NM a famous Southern California location
    • Anza-Borrego – March 2017
      • Susan & Cliff – Desert wildflowers and some odd metal sculptures in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, east of San Diego, California
  • 2016
    • Grand Staircase – Oct 2016
      • Susan & Cliff in Utah’s Grand Staircase Escalante NM and Canyonlands NP. In Grand Staircase: Cottonwood Canyon Road, Grosvenor Arch, Willis Creek slot canyon, Wahweap Towers (or Hoodoos), Lower Calf Creek Falls, Devils Garden and in Canyonlands NP Needles District, Elephant Hill, Chesler Park & The Joints.
    • Rubithon – June 2016
      • Cliff rides with Don in his 1995 Land Cruiser to take on the famed Rubicon Trail.  It is considered one of the hardest 4 wheel drive trails in the US.  Rubithon is the annual Toyota event held there.
    • Utah & Colorado – May 2016
      • After Cruise Moab, Don, Tucker and Cliff went to Telluride, CO then back into Utah for Hovenweap NM.  Traveled to Arizona for Marble Canyon and White Pocket.  Back again into Utah for Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, Hole in the Rock Road, Zebra Slot, and Capitol Reef NP, Burr Trail, Lower San Rafael road along the Green River.
    • Cruise Moab – May 2016 
      • Don, Richard, Tucker and Cliff travel to Cruise Moab and net up with Vince.   They started out with the Kokopelli Trail (3 day overnight to Moab starting at the Colorado/Utah border).  In Moab they tackled the Hells Revenge Trail, and Metal Masher Trail.
  • 2015
    • Capitol Reef – Oct 2015
      • Susan and Cliff’s trip to a number of southern Utah sights is cut short when the Land Cruiser gets stuck in the mud in Capitol Reef NP
    • Arizona – Utah – May 2015
      • After Cruise Moab Cliff and Don visited a number of sights in Arizona and Utah. In Arizona – Toroweap in Grand Canyon NP, White Pocket, Lower Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, and Monument Valley. In Utah – Lockhart Basin.
    • Cruise Moab – May 2015 
      • Both Cliff and Don took their Land Cruisers to Cruise Moab this year. They met up with Richard, Allen and Vince for the event. They started with the Kokopelli Trail then Porcupine Rim Trail,  Flat Iron Mesa Trail and Fins N Things.
    • Waterfalls in Oregon and Washington – April 2015
      • Susan and Cliff visit waterfalls in Oregon and Washington.  We also stop to see the azaleas at Gwynn Acres Farm, Oregon.
  • 2014
    • White Rim Trail – November 2014 
      • Cliff, Susan, Debbie & Don – The White Rim is a 100 mile 4 wheel drive trail in the scenic Canyonlands NP, Island in the Sky District, Utah
    • San Rafael Swell – October 2014

      • Cliff, Steve, Randy and John explore the Copper Globe Mine and Goblin Valley SP Crack Canyon and encounter several wild mustang herds in the San Rafael Swell.  South of Hanksville we hike the Dirty Devil River area to enter Happy Canyon.  We hike into Little Death Hollow west of Capitol Reef.

    • Cruise Moab – May 2014 
      • Cliff and Don L met up with Allen and Tom in Moab, UT
    • Utah Canyoneering – May 2014 
      • After Cruise Moab Don L and Cliff met up with Steve and Don V to canyonneer Angel Cove and Winter Camp slot canyons along with visits to Canyonlands NP & Arches NP and a couple of remote cliff dwellings.
  • 2013
    • California North Coast – November 2013
      • Susan, Cliff & Karl travel to the Hall Mine in Northern California. Returning home by way of the North Coast, Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Redwood National Park and Ma-le’l Dunes.
    • Fall in the Eastern Sierras – October 2013
      • Cliff and Steve find Fall colors in several locations including some enhanced by an early snowfall
    • White Mountains & Nevada – August 2013
      • Cliff, Don L, Tucker, Kirby, and Mark’s offroad trip through the rugged White Mountains and remote western Nevada.
    • Road Trip to Wisconsin – July 2013
      • Cliff’s trip to Wisconsin taking in Crater Lake NP, Palouse Falls SP, Devils Tower NM, Great Sand Dunes NP and some other sights along the way.
    • Idaho – Jun 2013
      • Susan & Cliff meet up with some friends from Boise and travel to the Sawtooth Mountains.
    • Cruise Moab – May 2013 
      • Cliff’s second time and Don L’s first time to attend Cruise Moab, They visited Goblin Valley State Park before signing in for the San Rafael Swell Overnight which is two days of trails in the Swell. Next they did the Gold Bar Rim trail where Cliff broke his front differential trying to get up a big ledge. 
    • Eastern Sierras – April 2013
      • Steve, Randy and Cliff travel to some petroglyphs in Owens Valley,  Cerro Gordo and Salt Tram Summit Station in the Inyo Mountains, Saline Valley and its hot springs in Death Valley NP, Mammoth Mountain area, Mono Lake and Bodie State Park.
    • Tule Lake Birding – March 2013
      • Cliff and his photography friends on a birding trip to Tule Lake NWR and Lower Klamath NWR.  We encounter many birds including a number of eagles.
  • 2012
    • Utah Photography Trip #4 – October 2012 
      • Don, Steve, Randy, Tucker and Cliff on their fourth photo trip to Utah – Canyonlands NP, Goblin Valley State Park, Capitol Reef NP & Bryce NP
    • Las Vegas Photoshop World – September 2012
      • Cliff attends the conference, and on the way takes some photos of Petroglyphs, Valley of Fire State Park and Big Horn Sheep in Zion NP.
    • Owens Valley – July 2012
      • Susan, Cliff and their friend Garth take a quick trip to Lake Tahoe, Mono Lake, Bristlecone Pine Forest, Alabama Hills of California.
    • Owens and Death Valley – May 2012
      • Cliff, Steve, Randy and John take a short trip to Mono Lake, Alabama Hills and Death Valley NP‘s Eureka Dunes. Caught photos of a hawk catching a snake.
    • Southern Utah Indian Ruins and Petroglyphs – May 2012
      • Don and Cliff explore Southern Utah from the San Rafael Swell to Cedar Mesa. Includes sections of Goblin Valley SP, Canyonlands NP and Beef Basin.
    • Nevada Ghost Towns – Mar 2012
      • Steve and Cliff explore Berlin and Ione Ghost Towns in Nevada.  In addition to the town there is Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, and a large mine at Berlin.  We stop at Ludwig Mine and Fort Churchill on the way home.
  • 2011
  • 2010
    • Susan and Cliff’s Nevada & Arizona – December 2010
      • In Nevada, Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden, Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park and Gold Butte NM Little Finland.   In Arizona, Sedona and London Bridge.
    • Fall in Eastern Sierras – October 2010
      • Steve and Cliff travel to Eastern Sierras and Bristlecone Pine Forest (oldest living trees)
    • Yellowstone Wildlife trip – September 2010  
      • Steve, Don V, Randy, and Cliff head to Grand Tetons NP and Yellowstone NP for wildlife photos.  Bears, Elk, Moose & Bison, etc.  With all the great scenery we also did happen upon some landscape photos also.
    • California Capitol Airshows 2010
      • A number of aircraft, the F-22, F-18, U-2, B-2, P-38, C-17, C-5, KC-10, along with Patriots Air team.
    • Utah Transcontinental Railroad – August 2010
      • Cliff visits Golden Spike NHP and then drives many miles of the last completed section of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Trip also includes Bonneville Salt Flats, Antelope Island State Park and Lucin Sun Tunnels.
    • Susan and Cliff’s Southwest trip – May 2010
      • Colorado – Colorado NM, Gateway Auto Museum, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NM, Durango and Silverton Railway, Mesa Verde NP
        New Mexico – Bisti Badlands
        Arizona – Canyon de Chelly NM, Upper Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend
    • Cruise Moab – April 2010  
      • Cliff in his Land Cruiser, Karl and Melinda in their RV travel to Moab, Utah for Cruise Moab. Cruise Moab is an annual offroad event for Toyota 4 wheel drive vehicles. This was the first year for Cliff to attend.  Cliff went home via Valley of the Gods and then took Nevada back roads.
  • 2009
    • Utah Photography Trip #3 – October 2009
      • Steve, Don, Randy, John, Tucker and Cliff piled into a Land Cruiser and a 4Runner for a 9 day trip to; Toroweap in Grand Canyon NP, Paw Hole, White Pocket, The Subway in Zion NP, Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, Zebra Slot Canyon, & Capitol Reef NP.
    • Canyonlands The Maze – April 2009
      • Cliff and Susan take a 4 wheel drive trail in the San Rafael Swell. Next stop was Arches NP.  Then a 4 wheel drive trail to Horseshoe Canyon and on to the Canyonlands NP, The Maze District, Utah.
    • Utah Photography Trip #2 – April 2009 
      • Steve, Don V, Randy, Roger and Cliff’s trip to Utah covered Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP, Paw Hole, White Pocket, Cottonwood Cove, Wahweap Towers, Cottonwood Canyon Road, Bryce NP & Zion NP.
    • California Capitol Airshows in 2008 & 2009
      • Navy Blue Angels in 2008 and the Air Force Thunderbirds in 2009 
    • Yosemite Horsetail Falls – February 2009
      • Steve, Don V, Randy and Cliff travel to Yosemite NP – The conditions were right to catch Horsetail Falls lit up like it is on fire.   Also captured some other park scenes.
    • Death Valley – Jan 2009
      • Steve, Don V, Randy, Tucker and Cliff explore a number of the backroad locations in the Park.  Death Valley NP has about 10 times more dirt and 4-wheel drive roads than it has paved.  
  • 2008
    • Dirty Toy School – Dec 2008
      • Cliff attends a great school held in Anza-Borrego on how to drive 4 wheel drive vehicles in offroad situations. Training also covered what to do when you get stuck or breakdown.
    • Utah Photography Trip #1 – October 2008 
      • Cliff made a loop through Death Valley NP on the way to Vegas where he picked up Steve, Don V, and Randy.   From Vegas we visit Arches NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Canyonlands NP Island in the Sky District, Capitol Reef NP, and in Grand Staircase-Escalante NM; Cottonwood Cove, Golden Cathedral, Peek-a-boo Gulch, Spooky Gulch.  On the way back Cliff went through Great Basin NP.
    • Inyo Mountains – September 2008
      • First Land Cruiser trip – Susan & Cliff, Leonard on a trip to test out modifications to the Land Cruiser. We meet up with cousin Leonard in Lone Pine. Itinerary: Alabama Hills, Cerro Gordo, Saline Valley Salt Tram and Bishop Creek.
    • Alabama Hills and Death Valley – January 2008
      • Steve, Roger and Cliff attend the PMA Photography Conference in Las Vegas, and on the way stop in Alabama Hills and Death Valley NP.
  • 2007
  • Under construction – check back