National Monument- Gandhi Ashram at Sabarmati

Recently I had been to Ahmedabad and well, visit to Ahmedabad is incomplete without a mention of Sabarmati Ashram or Gandhi Ashram. I am not going to write anything about Mahatma Gandhi here- His greatness was in his simplicity and so is his ashram. Located on the banks of Sabarmati river-  Sabarmati Ashram is one of Gandhi's residences and he lived here for around twelve years. A beautiful and peaceful place in busy Ahmedabad.

Natural Wonder- Monument Valley, an abode of beauty, peace and spirits!

Internationally recognized icon of American South-west- Monument Valley is one of the most spectacular and most photographed landscape on earth. Located on the state-line of Arizona and Utah Monument Valley lies entirely within the Navajo Nation. Navajo people call it The Valley of Rocks and their imagination and beliefs see much more in these rocks. At the elevation of more than 5,000ft asl the Monument Valley Tribal Park, is home of very beautiful cluster of large red sandstone buttes, spires and mesas. Most part of the park is accessible only with the guided tours. The most interesting masterpieces are hidden in the remote areas.

Urban Wildlife- A little monkey who tried blowing a balloon!

For the last couple of months I had been living in Vadodara, Gujarat my favorite place next to Bangalore. Since my parents are along I am doing great deal of pilgrimage :) Well, that is a whole different story and has nothing to do with this little monkey. Only that I met the little one in one of the temples.

Temples of India- Sun Temple at Modhera, defines the beauty of Indian medieval architecture

One of the very few shrines dedicated to Hindu God Sun, Modhera temple is one of the masterpieces of medieval architecture in Gujarat, India. The brilliant architecture, exquisite carving on sandstone just two hours away from the busy-crazy Ahmedabad! Though plundered by enemies and earthquakes the temple has much to offer even in its dilapidated state! One of the magnificent specimens of Indian medieval architecture!

National Monument- Canyon de Chelly, where the walls tell history!

Canyon de Chelly which means 'rock canyon', the home of Navajo people! If you know Native American history then you know the Battle of Canyon de Chelly between Navajo Nation and United States military, and also the Long Walk of Navajo people. It is the only National Monument completely owned by Navajo Tribal Trust and cooperatively managed by National Park Service (NPS). By federal and tribal law, visitors are allowed to travel inside the canyon only when accompanied by a Navajo guide. But, there are no restrictions in place to view the canyon from the rim. The law is in place to protect the sacred Navajo sites and the household of the people still live there.

Natural Wonder- Meteor Crater

Meteor Crater is a 50,000 year old meteorite impact crater privately owned by Barringer family in Arizona. The crater is 3,99ft wide and 570ft deep in the almost barren desert. Earlier known as Canyon Diablo crater it is a National Natural Landmark and also a popular tourist attraction. Since there is no vegetation cover the crater can be viewed very clearly.Visitors are charged an entrance fee ($16) by the Barringer Crater Company to see the crater. Worth a visit if you are near Flagstaff or you are driving on I-40 near Winslow.

National Parks- Petrified Forest where the trees turned into gems!

Vast desert shrub steppe as far as you can see and the painted badlands emerging out of it with crystalized wood scattered all around is what you see in Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. The amazement you feel is limitless! Blue Mesa, Painted Desert, Tepees in this eroded badlands are beyond one's imagination. I had never thought the drowned trees might even turn into logs of gems! Yes- it is possible when nature finds a way to do it!

Natural Wonder- White Sands National Monument, a white heaven!

I have seen black sand in Hawaii, pink sand in Utah, normal sand in Pacific coast and also Indian coast then I saw white sand in New Mexico. Well, not on any ocean or lakeside beach but, the wave like gypsum sand dunes in the middle of New Mexico! I had seen tons pictures of this landform prior to my visit but, when I was standing there on one of the highest dunes looking 360 deg around me none of those pictures including the pictures I have posted here make any justice to the beauty of this natural wonder!

Natural Wonder- The 'Hat' of Mexican Hat :)

First, Did you know there is a tiny place called Mexican Hat in Utah, USA? If yes, then do you know why is this town named Mexican Hat? Well, Mexican Hat is a hardly known small settlement on the banks of San Juan river located at the edge of most popular Monument Valley, just 22-miles away. Very few people live here, may be less than 100!

National Parks- Mesa Verde, a tour back in time!

Well, I had mentioned about Anasazi Civilization earlier with little info I have about these ancient people. But, then there is much more they left for us to dig deep as far back in history as we can possibly go! I visited Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado and was awestruck by the well preserved cliff dwellings. Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is one place where these ancient dwellings are best preserved. The park is designated as a World Heritage Site because of its archaeological relevance.

Random Thoughts- Pareidolia in Rocks Part II

I had posted an article on Pareidolia in rocks earlier and now found more pictures which made me think of a sequel! I am finding it very interesting now :) Repeating- Pareidolia, in simple, is a term used to seeing faces or animals in clouds and rock formations. Well, the term has much deeper and scientific meaning which you can read in Wiki. We hear about sleeping giants and rock faces which are common examples.

Natural Wonder- Goosenecks of San Juan River in Utah

Another place made me feel what a tiny place I occupied in the big world! If you want to be alone away from the tourists (and also locals!) in a place soaked in serenity then head to Utah. You will find many of them. You can chat with the rocks and sing with the rivers. This is Goosenecks State Park in Utah which made me just shut up! I was there at sunrise, early morning haze made it look more mysterious!

National Monument- Utah's Natural Bridges

The Utah landscape is so rugged that its hard to imagine what lies in those mysterious canyons. Where do these canyons lead you?! When do the dry river floods in a flash? At the elevation of 6,500ft above sea level intermittent rivers have carved canyons and three massive bridges. Natural Bridges National Monument protects this area, plants animals and the native indian ruins. 

Landscape Gallery from Arches National Park

Arches National Park is so beautiful that every rock formation deserves the visitor to stop and a click a photo! I stopped at every turnout also at places where there was a bit of shoulder. And now I see those pictures to re-relay the memories. Every picture looks amazing! I thought of putting them together!

Utah State Parks- Anasazi State Museum

Many years ago I had watched a movie GERONIMO! which was on coming TNT. It kind of hooked me to the TV till the end. The rugged landscape of Arizona and New Mexico, the history of America and the photography ... At the end I felt sad for the guy! I remembered about this movie on an Apache hero when I visited the Anasazi State Museum in Utah. There was a postcard with Geronimo's picture on it. 

National Parks- Anshi-Dandeli, an adventure destination of Karnataka

Just 85Kms from my childhood hometown Hubli, Dandeli has been a frequent destination for me and my family. I had been to this place many times in the past, like pre-2005 years. I have done extensive trekking and wildlife viewing those days. In the last decade Dandeli has emerged as a destination for adventure activities around Kali river. For me Dandeli is synonymous with 'river rafting'. For bird watchers it means Hornbills and much more!!!

National Parks- Arches, the land of red rocks and arches!

The relationship between the landscape and time is always amazing! The forces of nature create wonders in time. The wind has carved thousands of arches in one place- Arches National Park, 6-miles from Moab, Utah. Home for the world famous landmark- Delicate Arch! Arches National Park in the high desert of Utah is a red rock wonderland and is a home for thousands of natural arches, hundreds of massive spires, colossal fins and many other wind-formed sandstone formations. A place to witness vast expanses of breathtaking scenery.

State Parks of Utah- Dead Horse Point, what is in the name?

What a beautiful view and what a name 'Dead Horse Point'?! Well, this amazing place is surrounded by the legends of ghostly horses and cruel cowboys. The point, a narrow neck of the land which is as wide as just the road was once gated with the horses corralled by the cowboys who never came back for some unknown reason. The horses were trapped with no way out on a high mesa, without water and food they all died! Long later people who found the remains of these many unfortunate horses named this overlook- Dead Horse Point!

National Parks- Canyonlands, the forbidding landscape!

Canyonlands- well named! The national park is home for countless canyons carved by Colorado river and its tributaries. Canyonlands National Park is another lesser known park in Utah. The remoteness and ruggedness makes it less popular. The park covers a large rugged area and is divided into three districts (MAP) by Colorado and Green rivers. There are no roads to connect these sections internally and it takes hours to reach each district by driving around them. Driving on those remote roads is at times an eerie experience especially during early mornings and late evenings when you are the only one on the road! But, that is fascinating huh? For- Life begins at the end of our comfort zone!

Natural Wonder- Utah's Goblin Valley, like nowhere else!

I never get tired of saying Utah is a land of unbelievably strange landscapes. This land has always surprised me with its unique and beautiful rock formations carved by natural forces over time! Be it arches, canyons, natural bridges, hoodoos and 'Goblins'!  For your amazement ... here is ... Goblin Valley State Park of Utah.