Thanks for the beautiful coverage. The desert, reds, off-white, layers with the snow capped mountains is just wonderful.
There is the "Got the T-Shirt type" that misses the experience of the visit.
I'm glad I'm one who enjoys the experience.
This reminds me of the John Wayne movie "The Train Robbers" I never understood (at the time) why a logging railroad would travel through a desert. After having seen White Sands, the San Luis Valley Sand Dunes, and other similar experiences, I fully understand how a logging railroad could exist in a arid or semi arid area.
On the drive from down Near Jerome and Nogales to Flagstaff, we passed through the Joshua Tree National Forest. We'd seen enough to know a Joshua tree. We got a heck of a laugh when there was a sign on the side of the road that said "JOSHUA TREE" with an arrow pointing to one. I guess not many knew what a Joshua tree was.
One of the most interesting drives was from Flagstaff to Durango (Cortez I think) over the Navajo Trail. I never saw the Black Mesa and Lake Powell - darned.
Doug vV