Nichole McDaniel Art Travel Adventure
Utah, Travel, Photography
Nichole McDaniel
Day 4 - Quail Creek State Park, Utah

The lake isn't very big and there wasn't too much to explore, which was nice in comparison to other, more crowded lakes nearby. It was pleasant how quiet it was and we were able to relax and take in the surrounding mountains. Each of us enjoyed taking a moment to cool off in the water. This was one of the most memorable parts of the trip for me. Just taking it in and enjoying time with Ben.

Day 4 - Quail Creek State Park, Utah
Arizona, Photography, Travel
Nichole McDaniel
Day 1 - Pandemic Road Trip - Setting out for ...

We packed the SUV with the usual road trip necessities. This time, it included Lysol, masks, and lots of hand sanitizer. Leaving home around 1PM, we made our way toward Arizona in the middle of August during a heat wave...the ideal travel time to go to the desert ;)

Day 1 - Pandemic Road Trip - Setting out for Adventure
California, Photography, Travel
Nichole McDaniel
Sunrise at Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur

My goal was to capture the sunrise at the beach, maybe I should have left a little sooner to get my camera set up. But I was still made it for the experience I was hoping for. This beach was perfect. I drove part of Big Sur in the dark to get there but it is easily accessible from a road off of Highway 1. The short walk to the beach only built up the anticipation of what the beach and sunrise would look like.

Sunrise at Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur
California, Photography, Travel
Nichole McDaniel
Monterey & Carmel by the Sea

Monterey has a unique rocky shore line creating large crashing waves allowing for amazing photos. The downtown area is also fun with plenty of shops, great restaurants and beautiful parks near the bay where all the boats are docked.

Monterey & Carmel by the Sea
California, Travel
Nichole McDaniel
Santa Cruz and The Mystery Spot

Our next destination was the “Mystery Spot,” and we didn’t really know what to expect. This illusion-based tourist attraction is in the middle of the woods, down a windy one lane road. When you get there you find a really unique tourist attraction, including a souvenir shop, food and plenty of photo opportunities. The tours are $8 a person, plus $5 per vehicle for parking, cash or check only and tours last about 45 minutes.

Santa Cruz and The Mystery Spot

Photography

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Day 6 - Bryce Canyon National Park -Exploring & Stargazing

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Day 6 - Bryce Canyon National Park -Exploring & Stargazing

The great thing about our cabin was its proximity to the Rim Trail where we had walked earlier in the day (about a 3 minute walk). We grabbed our camping chairs and enjoyed our beers while watching the sunset and the stars slowly emerge, one by one. I don't know if I have ever seen so many stars. I grabbed my tripod for my camera to attempt a little astrophotography. I know they aren't great compared to other photographers, but I was excited to test it out and capture this cool experience we shared together. I will definitely be exploring the stars more with my camera. I can see how addicting it can be.

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Sunrise at Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur

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Sunrise at Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur

My goal was to capture the sunrise at the beach, maybe I should have left a little sooner to get my camera set up. But I was still made it for the experience I was hoping for. This beach was perfect. I drove part of Big Sur in the dark to get there but it is easily accessible from a road off of Highway 1. The short walk to the beach only built up the anticipation of what the beach and sunrise would look like.

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Santa Cruz and The Mystery Spot

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Santa Cruz and The Mystery Spot

Our next destination was the “Mystery Spot,” and we didn’t really know what to expect. This illusion-based tourist attraction is in the middle of the woods, down a windy one lane road. When you get there you find a really unique tourist attraction, including a souvenir shop, food and plenty of photo opportunities. The tours are $8 a person, plus $5 per vehicle for parking, cash or check only and tours last about 45 minutes.

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A Day in Death Valley: Devil’s Golf Course

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The Devil’s Golf Course

Walking among the salt and rock formations at Devil’s Golf Course, Death Valley National Park

Walking among the salt and rock formations at Devil’s Golf Course, Death Valley National Park

Where "only the devil could play golf" humorously stated the 1934 National Park Service guide book to Death Valley National Monument. Obviously the name stuck. The Devil’s Golf Course can be found 1.3 miles down a gravel road off of Badwater Road. I actually passed it up and had to turn around. This is worth the stop if you have time.

Informational Sign found at the Devil’s Golf Course, Death Valley National Park, CA.Photo By: Nichole McDaniel

These beautiful and other worldly crystalized salts are forever changing with the weather effects of the desert. It was cold when I went but the sign stated on a warm day you can hear the metallic cracking sound caused by the salt expanding and contracting. Sounds cool, maybe next time. The Devil’s Golf Course along with the Badwater Basin were my two favorite stops.

These formations are really sharp, so please be careful. Devils Golf Course is few feet above the flood level in Death Valley unlike the Badwater Basin. Without the water to smooth the salt pan here, salt pinnacles form. These delicate pinnacles form when the salty water rises up from the mud, the capillary action forces the water up, quickly evaporating, leave a little residue of salt behind. These pinnacles develop slowly, sometimes at rate of an inch in 35 years. This site gives a little more detail about the Lake and process that created the Devil’s Golf Course- Geo Maps.

It is one of the quicker of the stops but I doubt you will see anything else like it.

Panoramic Views of the Devil’s Golf CoursePhoto By: Nichole McDaniel

Panoramic Views of the Devil’s Golf Course

Photo By: Nichole McDaniel

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Super Moon Adventures in New York City

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Super Moon Adventures in New York City

What trouble can two girlfriends get into exploring the Big Apple, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and TriBeCa? Ok maybe trouble is the wrong word, but we had a blast making friends and taking on the city. This Day 1 New York City Travel Blog includes walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, dinning in great restaurants fit for any foodie, and an evening only the Super Moon could provide. Provided by yours truly, Nichole McDaniel.

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10 Random and Interesting Locations in San Francisco

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10 Random and Interesting Locations in San Francisco

Ever wonder about the history or interesting facts of the places you may pass everyday or a really interesting place you walked by and took a photo? Well I decided to do a little research about a few places I saw on my road trip to San Francisco. I hope you find out something interesting you didn't know before about this historic and beautiful city! I know I sure did.