A few formations that I thought you would enjoy from Bryce Canyon on our recent visit. Taken in direct sunlight, but still worth a look I thought. thanks Bob

[stormtech]

As usual I look at your pics with awe Bob. To me these pics are of places that could be from another world. I especially like the last one of the natural tunnel.

While I am not a traveled person by far, your tour out west this year makes me think. I hear people from time to time planning a vacation to other countries to see the sights, but to me, there is so much to see right here in our own country that there wouldn't be enough time in my life just to explore the USA.

[lamented bovine]

As usual I look at your pics with awe Bob. To me these pics are of places that could be from another world. I especially like the last one of the natural tunnel.

While I am not a traveled person by far, your tour out west this year makes me think. I hear people from time to time planning a vacation to other countries to see the sights, but to me, there is so much to see right here in our own country that there wouldn't be enough time in my life just to explore the USA.

Great series of shots Bob. Just quietly why are they called the Hodooos?

Cheers
Shane

[Bob Harris]

As usual I look at your pics with awe Bob. To me these pics are of places that could be from another world. I especially like the last one of the natural tunnel.

While I am not a traveled person by far, your tour out west this year makes me think. I hear people from time to time planning a vacation to other countries to see the sights, but to me, there is so much to see right here in our own country that there wouldn't be enough time in my life just to explore the USA.

Stan, we have been on the road full timing in our motorhome for the last 8 years and we are still amazed at the sights to see here in the US. We have been fortunate to visit and study the Revolutionary War and Civil War battlegrounds and museums, visit many of the American Indian nation lands and learn their history. A trip from Louisiana to Minnesota to follow the Mississippi River to locate the headwaters was a wonderful trip and don't forget Montana and the Dakotas and all the S/W states. Following part of the Louis and Clark expedition produced unbelievable landscapes and touring Texas really took some time it is so large in size and history. I could go on and on, but you are right, we have so much here in the USA, I am sure we will run out of time before finishing our adventures, but it has been a wonderful experience for sure.

[Bob Harris]

Great series of shots Bob. Just quietly why are they called the Hodooos?

Cheers
Shane

Shane you asked why they are called hoodoos, not what they are so this is the best explaination I could find. hoodoo and voodoo are not the same thing at all. Here is what I found:
Voodoo is a different word and quite a different concept. The word voodoo comes from another African language called Ewe where vodu is the name of a specific demon or tutelary deity. Voodoo passed into American English by way of Louisiana Creole voudou. Very early in America, hoodoo came to mean 'jinx' or 'cast a spell on' as a noun and a verb: "Something hoodooed me out in the swamp last night. I think it was my ex-husband."

They are different words entirely, obviously. But not according to the Oxford Canadian Dictionary. The Merriam-Webster Dictionaries, the authorative compendium of American English, does accept the new research. You know, our knowledge of word borrowing has advanced quite beyond the clichés of Victorian "philology" upon which the Oxford English Dictionary was founded. We now understand that, when two groups speaking utterly different languages mingle and must communicate, the loan of a word is not always in one direction. American aboriginal peoples of the northwest picked up the word hoodoo from English-speaking fur trappers and, like them, used hoodoo to refer to any malignant creature or evil supernatural force. That's how it came to be applied to the curious columns of earth or rock. For they were thought to be evil in the mythologies of many first peoples. But, borrowing works in the other direction as well. For example, in Siksika (Blackfoot) mythology, the strange hoodooesque shapes were giants whom the Great Spirit had turned to stone because of their evil deeds. Deep in the night, the petrified giants could awaken and throw boulders down upon any humans passing nearby. European newcomers to what would become the Canadian and American west heard aboriginal peoples' description of these strange formations and translated certain Siksika words and terms from several Siouan languages like Dakota and Lakota and used the word hoodoo as the translation. In some cases the English word displaced the Siouan word. In other cases the Siouan word remained.

I bet you are sorry you asked.

[deaning]

Very nice set Bob! Here in Aussie you would be called a Grey Nomad, retirees that hit the road. I can't wait.

[Bob Harris]

Very nice set Bob! Here in Aussie you would be called a Grey Nomad, retirees that hit the road. I can't wait.

Ray Allen, who does a lot of RVing in Australia, also mentioned that. He meets with other RV friends who enjoy the lifestyle. Our kids just call us "Hippie Gypsies".

[daacon]

A few classic ones in there Bob and thanks for the articles.

[slowpez]

Stan, we have been on the road full timing in our motorhome for the last 8 years and we are still amazed at the sights to see here in the US. We have been fortunate to visit and study the Revolutionary War and Civil War battlegrounds and museums, visit many of the American Indian nation lands and learn their history. A trip from Louisiana to Minnesota to follow the Mississippi River to locate the headwaters was a wonderful trip and don't forget Montana and the Dakotas and all the S/W states. Following part of the Louis and Clark expedition produced unbelievable landscapes and touring Texas really took some time it is so large in size and history. I could go on and on, but you are right, we have so much here in the USA, I am sure we will run out of time before finishing our adventures, but it has been a wonderful experience for sure.

Ditto Bob. So much to see and so little time.

[crewl1]

Our kids just call us "Hippie Gypsies".

When I grow up I want to be like you Great shots of the geographic treasures!

[Colorado CJ]

Nice photos Bob! I really envy your ability to travel the country, looks like huge amounts of fun.

Be careful going through that tunnel in the last photo though, don't look like too much room for the RV

[loco]

Such beautiful natural magnificence! I always look forward to seeing more of your photos, Bob! The last shot is my favorite from this set. Such a cool place!

[Bob Harris]

A few classic ones in there Bob and thanks for the articles.

thanks Dave, I learned a bit too about the hoodoo.

[Bob Harris]

Ditto Bob. So much to see and so little time.

one thing Susan, you do get out and around quite a bit. That Alaska trip was a once in a lifetime adventure.

[Bob Harris]

When I grow up I want to be like you Great shots of the geographic treasures!

We have visited here several times over the years Larry, but I never get bored with the park.