After my initial ride on a rental bike with tour group I soon realized that the physical logistics and time that would need to be devoted to photographing a story about mountain biking in Arizona would require bike ownership. They next day I was at a bike shop purchasing my new Canondale. Over the next two months I would periodically be out riding, meeting riders, scouting and exploring the desert trails at Brown’s Mountain Ranch in North Scottsdale and various slick rock trails of Sedona.
"I Just Want To Go Home"
The story of the San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe is unique: It’s the only federally recognized tribe in Arizona without its own land. The tribe used to have a place of its own, but now that land is part of the Navajo Nation. In 2000, the Paiutes signed a treaty with the Navajos that would grant the Paiutes 5,400 acres, but that agreement has yet to be ratified by Congress.
"The Roaring Twenties"
AZRA boatman, Trevor Doty, navigates the “Roaring Twenties”. This section rapids of the Colorado River are so named because of their mile markers from Lee’s Ferry but some have additional names like 24 Mile Rapid aka Georgie Rapid, named after Grand Canyon legend, Georgie White Clark, the first woman to operate a commercial guiding business in the Grand Canyon.
"Enter The Gorge......"
One a cold, rainswept day in May, AZRA boatman, Steve Mace enters the gorge. Colorado River / Grand Canyon
"These Are Few Of Our Favorite Things"
This story showcases the favorite dishes from the editorial staff’s favorite restaurants that are located near the Arizona Highways offices. The places they frequent during lunch hour. In the current April 2019 issue of Arizona Highways.
"The Whitewater Is Coming.........."
AZRA boatman, Trevor Doty crashes through the “Roaring Twenties”. Colorado River / Grand Canyon.
January 2019 "Spring Is Almost Here"
And veteran riverguide Margeaux Bestard is ready for the 2019 Grand Canyon rafting season to begin.
December 2018 "Outtakes • Chairwoman"
One day this past July, I spent the day with newly elected White Mountain Apache Chairwoman, Gwendena Lee - Gatgewood photographing her for an Arizona Highways story. With logistical support from her chief of staff, Jerry Glossy Jr. I was able to fit a number of photographic opportunities and locations into her busy work day schedule. The magazine used a few of those opportunities in the story but I wanted to share some that were not published.
November 2018 " Retired White Mountain Apache Tribe Chairman Ronnie Lupe"
In July, while doing a story for Arizona Highways on Gwendena Lee - Gatewood the newly elected first Chairwoman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, I was fortunate to meet and photograph retired Chairman Ronnie Lupe who had served on the tribe’s council since 1966 and was elected chairman 9 times.
November 2018 " The First Chairwoman"
In April 2018, the White Mountain Apache Tribe elected Gwendena Lee - Gatewood to be it’s first female chairman. Gwendena replaced her mentor, 87 year old retiring Chairman Ronnie Lupe who had decided not to run for his 10th term.
October 2018 "Bringing JOY To The River"
When not guiding on the Colorado River, AZRA boatman Joy Gustafson, spends her winters working as a sea kayak guide and brings her guests out to sea for some up close whale experiences in Pacific Ocean around Maui.
September 2018 "Alex Thevenin"
For over twenty years, Alex Thevenin has guided guests through the Grand Canyon Gorge.
August 2018 "Runnin' Against The Wind"
On a windy day, Jay Healy guides his motor rig down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon Gorge.
July 2018 "Bringin' the BTUs"
Jay Healy, flexes his culinary chops riverside by bringin’ the BTUs to his brûlée pineapple upside down cake.
June 2018 "B.J. Boyle's 200th"
This past May 2018, I was able to join veteran Grand Canyon Boatman, B.J. Boyle on his milestone 200th trip down the Colorado River. Since it was his 200th of course "we got Bass".
May 2018 "A Call From Dennis Smoldt of AZRA"
On Saturday morning, May 19th, I awoke to a voicemail from Dennis Smoldt, AZRA's Field Personnel Manager asking if I would be able to hike in on Tuesday, May 22 to be a support paddler on the paddle boat for the lower half of Grand Canyon. Apparently a guest had injured themselves and needed to leave the trip. I called Dennis back and said of course I can do that! I always feel fortunate that AZRA and their boatman have given me the opportunity to join them on a number of their charters over the past 5 summers as a working assistant. It's an adventure and there always seems to be some photographs to be made in the whitewater of the Colorado River.
THANKS FOR THE CALL DENNIS !!!
March 2018 "Charles With Horses" • Salt River, Tonto National Forest
Paddleboard season is upon us. Lots of river days ahead.
January 2018 "Jody"
In between navigating the walls of white water on the Colorado River, veteran river guide Jody Tinsley has been known to enjoy reading a poem or two or three or four.......
December 2017 "Jed"
This past fall I had the pleasure of photographing, Montana native and new addition to the AZRA team, Jed Tarlow who has guided on rivers in Idaho, Quebec and China.
November 2017 "Margeaux Always Makes A Big Splash When She Enters A Rapid"
Born to row......
