Tag: Permits

The Wave Revisited

Arizona, Desert Southwest, National Parks, Utah

It had been 3 years since I last won a lottery permit to visit The Wave at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. More and more people are showing up for the dreaded lottery so its been difficult to get a permit. They only issue 10 per day for walk ins and I was fortunate to get one. About 5o people showed up for this days’ lottery. A few years ago, only 7 showed up for a weekday drawing in January. On one day during the this past year’s Christmas Holidays, 390 hopefuls showed up for the 10 spots, an all-time record.

This is the first of three posts. This first post will show images of The Wave proper. The second post will be from Sand Cove, an unusual geologic wonderland nearby. The third post will showcase abstract images from these two areas.

My friend and photography protege Alison shot a number of the images in these 3 posts and also served as a great model!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The nearby Second Wave.

 

So You Want To Go To “The Wave”

Desert Southwest, Out In The Field

The online lottery process that chooses 10 fortunates per day may have up to 1,000 losers. Yes, I met 2 guys from North Carolina at The Wave who said they were 2 of 880 applicants for that one day. The in-person lottery has better odds but you have to show up in Kanab, Utah at the BLM office by 9:00 am sharp. There is more than one BLM office in Kanab. Hint, think Dave Thomas. There may be over 100 people clutching what they hope is one of 10 magic numbers for that days’ drawing which grants you access for the next day.  I’ve seen the winners celebrate as if Publishers Clearing House  had just shown up at their door. On one occasion, I was one of 10 hoping to get the final permit for the day and my heart had never beaten faster. I got the permit but kept my cool.  I live about 50 miles from Kanab so I can go when I’m most likely to score a permit.  I’m not going to give you too many particulars on when is the best time to try for the lottery. My heart can’t take it. But here’s what you’ll get.  Images are available as downloadable files or prints by clicking on photo. Except the one of me.

 

All To Myself
All To Myself

 

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Not So All To Myself

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The Right Way To Do A SELFIE
The Second Wave
The Second Wave
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Nearby Sand Cove

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