In praise of the NPS at Petrified Forest

[Kirk Gittings]

So I had this fabulous time last year at The PF as the artist-in-residence. Amazing clouds etc.-perfect photography weather for me. I made some amazing images and they had great accommodations for me and treated me very well. I will fondly remember that trip till I die.

I've largely had great experiences my whole life with park service personnel but Today I've got to give a special shout out to the NPS at the PF.

So as part of the AIR I had owed them a public talk-I had wanted to wait till I had images to show so I got back in touch with them and arranged to give it next Saturday. I was going to announce it here in the odd chance that someone will be out that way. First they tell me "why don't you come out and stay awhile-we can let you have the residence again for 9 days". Holy crap Batman that was generous! (though I can only stay 4 days so as not to miss any classes I am teaching in SF).

Today I hear back from them.......they tell me to forget about giving the talk as they have arranged for me and my wife to join a two day tour with the "Friends of the Petrified Forest" group to tour the park and newly acquired adjacent lands with a paleontologist, a geologist, a botanist and an archeologist. Are you frikin kidding me? My wife and I are total science nerds-this will be heaven.

Above and beyond the call of duty........and these are not even the same people I dealt with last year!

[Peter De Smidt]

That's great to hear!

[David A. Goldfarb]

The Petrified Forest is a great place. I visited in January, and I definitely want to get back there sometime.

[Peter Collins]

Yes, the NPS is a great example of what government can be....

[Deane Johnson]

Love the photo you posted Kirk.

[David Lobato]

Nice photo. It raises my expectation of what Petrified Forest NP is like.

[Kirk Gittings]

Its incredible when the light is spectacular, otherwise interesting intellectually and "scenically" mainly.

Early tomorrow morning Victoria and I are headed back to the Petrified Forest National Park/Painted Desert in Western Arizona to work more on my artist residency that I started a year ago August. It is an amazing place with a rich history that far enhances its physical beauty. Some 12,000 years ago Clovis hunters mined the petrified wood for tool and weapon making. Later pueblo peoples built villages and farmed here extensively, building some of their structures out of Petrified wood. Into the historic period stagecoach routes ran through here and their building still stands. The Santa Fe Railroad's first tracks ran (runs) through here (including a Harvey House) and as well there is a preserved section of RT. 66 which is near and dear to me. I have spent weeks there and not begun to exhaust its opportunities. Last time I was there the light was amazing. Don't know this time. There are two specific shots I really want to get.

[Drew Wiley]

Sounds fun. Once you get away from the harried law-enforcement lifestyle of Rangers in places like Jellystone and Yosemite, most of them are very sociable. I had a
pleasant brief visit to Fossil Beds near Kenmerer, Wyo, and their wonderful little new museum. My sister and her husband are heading for Pet. Forest etc etc in a few
days. I told them to check out Blue Mesa, though I'm sure it will be minus its "official" view camera by then.

[Kirk Gittings]

From my recent artist residency at the Petrified Forest National Park. Shot with 4x5, FP4+ in Pyrocat HD.

[Drew Wiley]

That is a lovely squall, Kirk. Once again your timing is impeccable. You managed to replicate the shape of the prominent shadow on the lower left with that of the
right side of the cloud itself.