When I retired I embarked on a 4-year road trip in pursuit of apex predators and wide-open spaces. A month here, two months there. Hundreds of motels. Tent-camping in the Tetons. Something like 7-8 round trips coast to coast, Atlantic to Pacific. Three different Ford SUVs, umpteen thousands of miles.
I tended to winter in warmer climates. Tuscon was a favorite. And of course while in Arizona I sought out the Grand Canyon. I opted for a helicopter tour.
Unbeknownst to me, taking acceptable video while squeezed into the back seat of a wind-buffeted chopper 6000 feet above the Colorado River is impossible. Not to mention that at that time, ten years ago, I didn’t know squat about how to operate a camera. So I did what most tourists do – I bought a DVD from the gift shop.
Surprisingly, I got some good still photos through the scratched and sun-baked, plastic canopy, which was horrible at catching and reflecting colors from inside the cabin. It is only now that I have enough Photoshop skills to rescue them. I can’t decide between color and black & white versions; you be the judge.
It’s rather exhilarating to be flying virtually nap of the earth and suddenly a mile deep chasm opens up under you. Takes your breath away.
🙂 🙂 🙂
giblets & flapdoodle 
Several years ago, when Boys & Girls Clubs had a national conference in Phoenix, a friend and I drove up to the South Rim and took the airplane canyon flight (a Ford Tri-Motor, I think). A few weeks after we did such, I read where one of the planes and choppers had crashed! The canyon is one of those rare occurrences one has to experience. The awesomeness of it cannot be captured on film or expressed in words. Having seen the spectacle, I sort of like the B&W photos. Heck, such was good enough for Ansel Adams!
—————————————–From: “giblets & flapdoodle”
To: jamesnewland2@charter.net Cc: Sent: Friday March 4 2022 11:41:51AM Subject: [New post] Grand Canyon Flyover
oopsjohn posted: ” When I retired I embarked on a 4-year road trip in pursuit of apex predators and wide-open spaces. A month here, two months there. Hundreds of motels. Tent-camping in the Tetons. Something like 7-8 round trips coast to coast, Atlantic to Pacific. Three d”
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Funny, Cobb also mentioned to me that helicopters sometimes crash! But you’re right, it’s a rare experience best seen from the air. At least we didn’t ride a damn mule to the bottom!
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I love B&W but in this comparative instance, I preferred to color best. I felt and appreciated the beauty of the canyon much more than the B&W. This from someone who has never been there.
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You know, originally I thought the B&W were pretty special, but when I saw them side by side I kinda like the color best. Might depend on the context of where I post them. I recall you putting some comparisons up on Flickr, too.
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Yes, I remember doing that, but I don’t recall the subject.
The B&W of the canyon comes across as more stark than it seems to be in reality. Probably great included in several shots of it in “living color”!
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