(belated) Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year!

Just a quick seasonal greeting to everyone that has been following my blog.

I'm back in the UK, full of festive cheer, after a crazy last 3 weeks in the US.

After Antelope Canyon, featured in the last post, I revisted Grand Canyon, then zigzagged out of Arizona and across SE Utah via Monument Valley, Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park, before scaring myself silly driving I-70 in a car clearly incapable of dealing with the piles of snow building up under my tyres!

Once the New Year madness has settled, I'll post an update with the last part of the shoot, update the Mother Road Images website with the new material and give some pointers to my agents' sites where you can see more from the Open Road.

Until then... all the best for 2009!!!

From Big to Small...

Compared to Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon should hardly be called "canyon"!

In places it's only a shoulder's width, which can make both photographing and just enjoying it a little tricky at times.

Having said that, it is one of the few places (along with it's much bigger cousin) that really lives up to the hype, and received "wows" from every single person in our Navajo escorted visit.

Grand Canyon!

This is the Hole-in-the-Ground to end all Holes-in-the-Ground!

When you first see it, the scale really takes your breath away. But it's not long before you find yourself running around, trying to get that interesting tree in shot, along with the amazing view and the pink sky... then your breath gets taken away again when you realise how stupidly near the edge you are!

... and now a Meteorite Impact!

This huge hole in the Arizona desert was made by the impact of a meteorite some 50,000 years ago. The meteorite was around 50m diameter, producing this crater of about 1,200m in diameter and 170m deep.

Imagine the result of such an impact today, in a more populated area.

Dinosaurs Run Amok...

Shocking scenes today, in Holbrook Arizona, as dinosaurs run amok.

Authorities warned all mannequins not to go out alone, while on the plains, a triceratops was the latest victim of the marauding T-Rex!

RedTop Diner on Route 66

Many thanks to Jerry Ueckert (pictured) for inviting me over to his newly restored Valentine Diner, in Edgewood, NM. Once there were 1000's of these pre-fabricated Diners around the US, now there are fewer than 20. For more information on Valentine Diners, click here and here.

Back Getting My Kicks!

First full day back on Route 66 and I have some great diner pictures and a full belly to show for it! This is the classic Route 66 Diner on Central Avenue (formerly part of Route 66) in Albuquerque. Thanks to the friendly and helpful staff there. This road also has a number of surviving Motels, some still in good condition with working neon signs to match the Diner.

On to Colorado

Having dipped my toe in the water of New England, I now find myself in well and truly in the "West".

Colorado has everything, from the exciting city of Denver...

... to the clear air of the Rocky Mountains.

Primative Movie Making...

... or how to get the right shot.

In other words... just take lots!

These were taken on the Kancamagus Highway in the White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire.

A River Runs Through It

Finally found some consistent Fall Foliage yesterday.

Maine was beautiful, but too many evergreen trees in the forest for that cliché hillside of colour.

On the other hand, the White Mountain Forest here in New Hampshire (State Moto "Live Free or Die"... which is nice!) is amazing.

I had a lot of fun down by the Swift River for this shot.

I'll be heading back there over the next couple of days, for some under-the-canopy pictures.