Sometimes you just need to get away....


I snuck away to Arizona and didn't tell anyone. I sat quietly on a plane and thought about life. I stayed with one of my dearest friends. I watched every sunrise and every sunset for almost two weeks. I took some photographs when I felt like it. I used my phone camera a lot. I bought some tee shirts. I drank the most delicious coffee. And when I came home, I took stock of all my blessings.


Here are the best souvenirs from my trip. Shot with my IPhone, a Holga (toy camera) and a Nikon D850.

Cactus fruit detail and desert mountain landscape with saguaro cacti in Arizona wilderness.
Scenic mountain sunset view overlooking valley with greenhouses and trees silhouetted against orange sky.
Hiking trail views showing dirt paths and wildflowers with mountain vistas in background.
Vintage motel and garage signs against bright blue sky in retro Americana style.
Dried red chili peppers and rustic restaurant sign in rural setting.
Wildflowers silhouetted against dramatic sunset sky in panoramic nature landscape.
Colorful mix of orange poppies and pink cosmos flowers blooming against mountain backdrop.
Golden hour sunlight illuminating meadow filled with orange poppies and purple wildflowers.
Religious wall art and signage in minimal desert setting with blue sky.
Whimsical coffee cup with mustache next to blooming pink-topped prickly pear cactus.
Black and white spotted dog running through autumn leaves.
Black and white dog carrying orange toy through tall grass.
Bird feeder silhouetted against mountain landscape at sunset.
Silhouetted mountain landscape with hanging lamp at sunset.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds hover near red feeders against a blurred green forest background.
Series of hummingbirds visiting a hanging feeder against blue sky.
Black and white spotted dog sits attentively in tall grassy meadows at different times of day.
Purple and yellow wildflowers bloom against a dark background in a natural garden setting.
Wildflowers growing in a meadow at sunset with soft bokeh lighting effects.
Orange and pink wildflowers bloom in a field during golden hour lighting.
Colorful wildflowers dotting a grassy hillside under bright blue skies.
Pink cosmos flowers sway against a deep blue summer sky.
Dramatic landscape shots of a dirt trail through wilderness at different times of day.
Religious sign in a wildflower field beside an ornate church altar with religious statuary.
Outdoor marketplace with decorative statues and architectural elements on display.
Collection of stone Buddha statues and religious sculptures in an outdoor marketplace.
Vintage Route 66 memorabilia and dinosaur statue display at a roadside attraction.
Scenic desert canyon landscapes with rustic camera sign.
Red rock formations and desert cliffs of Sedona against a blue sky with wispy clouds.
Panoramic sunset view of red rock formations in Sedona, Arizona.
Terracotta roof tiles arranged in neat rows against a sunset sky creating a geometric pattern.
Decorative metal wall ornaments and architectural details on a beige stone wall.
Wooden carved religious artwork and sculptures displayed in warm lighting.
Ancient stone sculptures and decorative elements against a textured wall backdrop.
Mediterranean-style courtyard with arched architecture and climbing plants.
Assorted gems and stones displayed in wooden bowls at an artisan market.
Rustic display of colorful berries and dried goods in woven baskets at a market.
Garden courtyard with stone fountain, potted plants, and decorative tiled steps.
Atmospheric view of an old window display and arched passageway with vintage lighting.
Rustic wooden shutters and architectural details on an adobe-style building.
Mediterranean villa architecture with terracotta roofs and rustic stone details in warm sunlight.
Ancient stone archways and decorative fountain mask against a patterned wall.
Ornate tiled staircase with geometric patterns in Spanish colonial style.
Rustic courtyard with terracotta walls, cypress trees, and Mediterranean garden features.
Yellow daffodil bloom against blurred garden background with red accents.
Red-painted historic building with wraparound balconies among tall trees.
Urban streetscape with vintage buildings and lamp post in moody lighting.
Stone steps leading up through lush foliage with sunflowers at the base.
Moody urban street scene with vintage storefronts in black and white.
Black and white street photography showing shadows and urban textures.
Vintage wooden signs and distressed labels create a moody antique shop atmosphere.
A rustic wine tasting sign on a dark building facade reading 'Innocent Grapes Died For You'.
Architectural details of old buildings with ornate rooflines against a cloudy sky.
Eerie silhouettes against dramatic skies in an urban setting.
Spooky figure decorations on building rooftops create a haunting atmosphere.
Dark artistic photos of decorative skeletons perched on building edges.
Old brick storefronts with vintage signage and architectural details.
Antique shop displays and signage photographed in moody lighting.
Vintage shop signs and building facades captured in a cinematic style.
Artistic still life photographs of antique objects in dramatic lighting.
Moody urban landscape triptych showing old-style Texaco gas station signs and vintage buildings at dusk.
Artistic desert scene with vintage neon motel sign and red roses against dramatic sky.
Dramatic triptych of storm clouds gathering over desert mountains and dead tree.
Panoramic view of red rock formations in Sedona under stormy desert skies.
Scenic mountain vista of Sedona's red rock formations with desert vegetation in the foreground.
Dramatic landscape vista of Sedona's red rocks and desert vegetation under cloudy skies.