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National Parks & Monuments around North America Galleries

Exploring the White Rim Trail and Canyonlands National Park, Utah - October 2009 : The 100+ Mile White Rim Trail has been something we've wanted to tackle for years now. Staying with our good friend Jim Ryan of Dual Sport Utah in Moab, we were able to take a few days out from riding motorcycles and hiking with him and his wife to go tackle this amazing trail in Canyonlands National Park. We were blessed with beautiful weather, light dust due to recent rains and an amazing time we wont soon forget. This trail is something I'm thinking we'll do a few more times because of how much we enjoyed it. Its at the top of our list of recommendations that's for sure! When you purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thanks for looking and stop back often as the galleries are always being updated as our adventure continues. Pat & Cindy Bonish - Bonish Photo

Exploring the White Rim Trail and Canyonlands National Park, Utah - October 2009

The 100+ Mile White Rim Trail has been something we've wanted to tackl ...

Updated: Nov 01, 2009 12:34pm PST

Devils Tower National Monument - Wyoming 2009 :

Devils Tower National Monument - Wyoming 2009

Updated: Aug 02, 2009 10:05am PST

Devils Den State Park - Arkansas 2009 : Devils Den State Park in Northwest Arkansas is probably one of our favorite State Parks of the state. And that's saying something because Arkansas is probably one of our favorite places to visit because of their beautiful state parks. Hiking the Devils Den Trail, the Lake Trail and just relaxing in the beauty of the Ozark Mountains or riding up and down the twisty roads on the motorcycle all make this place rank at the top of our list of Favorite Places! If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark would not be on the print. Remember that the sales of our images are the only way we generate income to keep this adventure going. Thanks for looking!

Devils Den State Park - Arkansas 2009

Devils Den State Park in Northwest Arkansas is probably one of our fav ...

Updated: May 20, 2009 4:34pm PST

Middleton Place Plantation - Charleston, South Carolina : Middleton Place is a National Historic Landmark and a carefully preserved 18th-century plantation that has survived revolution, Civil War, and the affects of the 1886 earthquake that leveled much of Charleston. Middleton Plantation was the home of four important generations of Middletons, beginning with Henry Middleton, President of the First Continental Congress; Arthur, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; Henry, Governor of South Carolina and an American Minister to Russia; and Williams, a signer of the Ordinance of Secession. There isnt as much to see when it comes to the house, as there is only one left still standing, but the grounds are just breathtaking. If you do plan to visit, try your hardest to make it in the early spring when everything will be in bloom. We hit it in late February and the buds were just starting to open. I can only imagine how intoxicating it would smell to experience it in full bloom. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking and come back soon!

Middleton Place Plantation - Charleston, South Carolina

Middleton Place is a National Historic Landmark and a carefully preser ...

Updated: Feb 25, 2009 7:42pm PST

Atalaya Castle - Huntington Beach, South Carolina : This Spanish Mediterranean type castle called Atalaya, a Spanish term for Watchtower was built between 1931 to 1933. Archer Huntington, son of transportation magnate Collis P. Huntington and Anna Hyatt Huntington, noted sculptor, we the original owners of the home. During World War II, the home was used by the Military as a base and the Huntingtons returned to Atalaya after the war. It is now a State Park, and part of the Huntington State Park/Brookgreen Gardens attraction for the Myrtle Beach area. All photos were taken by Pat or Cindy Bonish. If you were to purchase any of the images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking and come back soon!

Atalaya Castle - Huntington Beach, South Carolina

This Spanish Mediterranean type castle called Atalaya, a Spanish term ...

Updated: Feb 25, 2009 6:13pm PST

Outer Banks, North Carolina : I'd like to apologize first for the lack of interesting shots from the Outer Banks. We planned on spending a few days exploring the islands and inland lakes, but when we got there, the temperatures were in the low to upper 30's and the winds were blowing around 25mph!! So needless to say, we just sort of buzzed through and didnt stay as nearly as long as we would have liked. We did snap some pictures, so I thought I'd post them just to have this location high lighted in our galleries. Hopefully there will be a next time, and we'll get to experience the beauty of the Outer Banks with much more detail Thanks for looking, and if you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print.

Outer Banks, North Carolina

I'd like to apologize first for the lack of interesting shots from the ...

Updated: Mar 03, 2009 5:51pm PST

Coyote Buttes - Arizona/Utah : The Coyote Buttes recreation area lies right on the border between Arizona and Utah in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness area. This area in also home to the world famous Wave which is one of the amazing wonders of the world. This whole area is open to the public, but accessable only with a permit you must apply for in the Kanab Field Office. With plenty of BLM Camping areas to Boondock at, we camped in this area for a week with multiple hikes taken daily. If I had to choose, it's as close to a hikers, photographers dream as one could ask for. The collection of fellow photographers and hikers we met along the trails was proof people travel from all over the world to witness God's beauty that makes this area so saught after. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Coyote Buttes - Arizona/Utah

The Coyote Buttes recreation area lies right on the border between Ari ...

Updated: Nov 11, 2008 3:29am PST

Yosemite National Park California : Early June was a good time to visit Yosemite National Park we thought. School hadnt let out and it wouldnt be crowded with all tourists. NOT!! The place was filled to capacity and getting a campsite was out of the question. Even though we stayed here for over a week, we were so stressed out from trying to find a campsite each night, or hiding from the park rangers in the parking lots we left with a sour taste left in our minds. I never thought I'd be able to get this many good pictures out of our weeks stay. I guess I was just so upset with our stay that at the time the pictures didnt look good to me. Going back over them a few months later, I had forgotten all about the bad stuff and only remembered the beautiful sights we had with every direction we looked. Even if there were fires going on in the surrounding mountains that were leaving the valley with a blanket of smoke to haze the pictures up. Needless to say, we cant wait to go back, and next time we'll either go earlier than June, or later than September to miss the crowds. It's no wonder the park is so busy, Yosemite is everything they say it is. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Yosemite National Park California

Early June was a good time to visit Yosemite National Park we thought. ...

Updated: Nov 13, 2008 2:28pm PST

Grand Teton National Park & Jackson Hole - Wyoming : Grand Teton National Park in the spring is probably one of the most beautiful places we've been in the last two years. Wild flowers as far as the eye can see with the Grand Teton Mountain Range still snowcapped as the backdrop! Breathtaking beauty every where you look! We also met up with Luca Diana, a local photographer/kayak instructor who showed us around the town of Jackson Hole, introduced us to a few other locals and acted as our tour guide. Thanks for all the info Luca, and we cant wait to hook back up again. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Grand Teton National Park & Jackson Hole - Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park in the spring is probably one of the most be ...

Updated: Aug 08, 2008 5:58pm PST

Sequoia National Park California : Sequoia National Park was probably one of our favorite National Parks. Located in Southern California and sharing it's area with King's Canyon National Park, this area is a two for one treat. The parks lie in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of the San Joaquin Valley. Activities vary greatly by season and elevation - which ranges from 1300' to 14,494'. Probably one of the best ways to view the parks are by Motorcycle. We traveled the winding, twisting roads daily and couldnt get enough of the long climbs, steep descents, jaw dropping vistas and tall trees that line the roads. Amazing beauty, wild animals around every turn, and cool temperatures to make the long hikes comfortable and enjoyable was what we experienced when we visited in June. The funniest part of this National Park was we had just left Yosemite which was too busy and filled with tourists for our tastes. When we got down to Sequoia National Park, that place was empty and it felt like we had it all to ourselves. This is probably one of the reasons we enjoyed this beautiful park so much. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Sequoia National Park California

Sequoia National Park was probably one of our favorite National Parks. ...

Updated: Aug 12, 2008 11:36am PST

King's Canyon National Park, California : In 1890, when the U.S. Congress first set aside Sequoia and Kings Canyon as the second and fourth parks of the system, they were known as Sequoia and General Grant national parks. A century has now passed since that event. During that century, much more than is realized, Sequoia, General Grant, and later Kings Canyon repeatedly played critical roles in the evolution of modern national park philosophy and management. Within these parks precedents were set that still bear fruit throughout the American park system. Kings Canyon is situated beside Sequoia National Park in South Eastern California in the Sierra's and is a gem of a park. Wildlife abounds with thousands of rugged acres to roam till your hearts content, just as John Muir would have liked it. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

King's Canyon National Park, California

In 1890, when the U.S. Congress first set aside Sequoia and Kings Cany ...

Updated: Dec 09, 2008 5:53pm PST

Mono Lake Tufa's - California : Before coming up into the Eastern Sierra's, we had never heard of a Tufa before. Luckily we had talked with some fellow photographers down in the Piraha Canyon area who had told us to make sure to stop and spend a day or two exploring these formations. What a strange oddity the Mono Lake Tufa's are. Mono Lake is 10 times saltier than the ocean, and is home to a thriving shrimping industry. Imagine telling someone you're a shrimp boat captain in the Sierra Mountains, you'd probably be locked up for being crazy. But it's true! The lake isnt as strange as it is beautiful, especially if you go in the early spring so the mountains still have snow on them in the backgrounds like they did when we visited. Mono Lake is also only a short 1/2 hour drive from Bodie Ghost Town and right before the infamous Tioga Pass into Yosemite National Park. The whole Mono Lake area is under major attack from water levels being historicaly low. Please check out this website - www.monolake.org - and do your part to see what you can do to help. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Mono Lake Tufa's - California

Before coming up into the Eastern Sierra's, we had never heard of a Tu ...

Updated: Sep 10, 2008 6:08pm PST

Monument Valley Arizona : Probably one of the most magical places on Earth. Monument Valley is know as one of the natural wonders of the Southwest and was home to many of the Westerns we all grew up watching. I know I could spend years here and not get bored with the beautiful sights and vistas. A must for any photographer or traveler and such an icon of the Southwest If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Monument Valley Arizona

Probably one of the most magical places on Earth. Monument Valley is ...

Updated: Sep 10, 2008 6:09pm PST

Wire Pass Slot Canyon, Arizona/Utah : While camping in the Paria Canyon Wilderness, in Southern Utah/Northern Arizona, we spent an afternoon photographing the Wire Pass Slot Canyon. Wire Pass is a short drainage that joins the much longer Buckskin Gulch slot canyon which is the longest Slot Canyon in the World. Entering from the Wire Pass side of the Canyon, you miss alot of the long hike of the Buckskin Gulch side, but it's a great way to see a slot canyon and not have to hike for hours to get to it. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Wire Pass Slot Canyon, Arizona/Utah

While camping in the Paria Canyon Wilderness, in Southern Utah/Norther ...

Updated: Nov 12, 2008 1:35pm PST

Red Rock Canyon - Nevada : Located just a short drive west of the Las Vegas Strip, with its glittering hotels, world-class restaurants, and unmatched entertainment choices, Red Rock Canyon is an oasis in a neon desert. Once you pull in, you'll be amazed you could be this close to Vegas and not see, hear or even remember all those noises and lights. Nope, Red Rock Canyon is all about hiking, climbing and getting back to nature. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Red Rock Canyon - Nevada

Located just a short drive west of the Las Vegas Strip, with its glitt ...

Updated: Sep 10, 2008 6:10pm PST

V Bar V Ranch Heritage Site - Beaver Creek, Arizona : While heading up to Sedona Arizona, we were pointed towards the V Bar V Ranch by some nice campground hosts further down the road. There is a little campground more for tent camping, but we squeezed our RV in there and explored the surrounding area for a few days. The V Bar V Ranch was obtained by the U.S. Forest Service through a land trade in 1994. A recording and protection program was conducted in 1995-96 and the site was opened to the public in 1996. The petroglyph site has been known to archeologist since 1945, when it was reported by Albert H. Schroder as part of his landmark survey of the Beaver Creek area. However, it was not documented in detail, and was only sporadically visited by archeologists, until it became the property of the United States Forest Service. Because the site could only be accessed through the ranch, it was protected from the vandalism that defaced other petroglyph sites in the valley. For a minimal entrance fee, you are allowed to view a secluded little sandstone wall with some of the best preserved petroglyphs I've ever viewed. The V Bar V Ranch also had a volunteer who was very knowledgeable about the various markings left by the Hopi and Zuni Native American Tribes. The V Bar V Ranch is the largest pertoglyph site in the Verde Valley with over 1.032 individual pertroglyphs identified. If you're into Native American Art, the V Bar V Ranch in Beaver Creek Arizona is a must see! If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

V Bar V Ranch Heritage Site - Beaver Creek, Arizona

While heading up to Sedona Arizona, we were pointed towards the V Bar ...

Updated: Nov 15, 2008 7:44pm PST

Tonto Natural Bridge, Arizona : Between Christmas and New Years, we had our niece and Nephew come visit us in Arizona. We traveled up to Tonto Natural Bridge to explore the caverns and caves, but the day we got there they had too much ice to allow anyone to go below the giant cave :( We just spent our time in the Flowing Springs Campground which isnt much more than a dirt parking lot beside a stream. Kids will be kids and we had a blast. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Tonto Natural Bridge, Arizona

Between Christmas and New Years, we had our niece and Nephew come visi ...

Updated: Oct 20, 2008 5:15pm PST

Organ Pipe National Monument - Arizona : Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument celebrates the life and landscape of the Sonoran Desert. In this desert wilderness, you can drive a lonely road surrounded by a multitude of Cactus variations, hike a backcountry trail, camp beneath a clear desert sky, marvel at magnificent cactus, or soak in the warmth and beauty of the Southwest. Organ Pipe National Monument is right along the Arizona/Mexico border, and gives you that wide open spaces feeling with nothing but desert, mountains and cactus as far as the eye can see in every direction. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark would not be on the print. Thank you for looking and come back soon.

Organ Pipe National Monument - Arizona

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument celebrates the life and landscape ...

Updated: Mar 28, 2009 9:48am PST

Canyon de Chelly - Navajo Nation Arizona : Reflecting one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes of North America, the cultural resources of Canyon de Chelly (pronounced Canyon da-shay) include distinctive architecture, artifacts, and rock imagery while exhibiting remarkable preservation integrity that provides outstanding opportunities for study and contemplation. That's what the Park Service says! What Cindy and I say is this is one of the wildest places we've seen on our adventure. Being that it is set in North Eastern Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation, this whole area is like stepping back in time. If you ever want to get a feel for what the Native Americans went through by being locked up on reservations, come visit this one! Not much has changed since the turn of the century as most of the Navajo's still live without running water or electricity. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Canyon de Chelly - Navajo Nation Arizona

Reflecting one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes of Nor ...

Updated: Sep 04, 2008 6:03pm PST

El Morro National Monument - New Mexico : A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El Morro (the headland) a popular campsite. Ancestral Puebloans and Spanish and American travelers carved over 2,000 signatures, dates, messages, and petroglyphs for hundreds of years. The first inscription carved at El Morro was that of Governor Don Juan de Onate in 1605, 15 years before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock! Cindy and I spent the day hiking around the sandstone bluffs with the dogs along for the hike. Spectacular views, great stories from the park rangers and memories to last a life time make this a spot we wont soon forget. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking and come back soon.

El Morro National Monument - New Mexico

A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El M ...

Updated: Mar 28, 2009 7:27pm PST

El Malpais National Monument - New Mexico : El Malpais means 'The Badlands', but this volcanic area holds many surprises than you can imagine. From Lava flows to cinder cones, pressure ridges and a complex series of lava tubes dominate the landscape. A closer look reveals high desert environments where animals and plants thrive. Prehistoric ruins, ancient cairns, rock structures, and homesteads remind us of past times. Scenic Arches like the La Ventana Arch made for a beautiful backdrop for photos and the Sandstone Bluffs are great to climb around on exploring the crevaces and slots. We visited this area and spent a few days hiking, driving the back roads and basically having the entire place to ourselves. Be preparied if you visit, there isnt too much in the way of facilities, but if you come prepaired, you'll have a wonderful time just like we did. There are plenty of BLM lands to camp on and our Solar Panels kept us powered up with the primitive camping that was offered. Except for the coyotes singing us to sleep, I think we were alone the entire time. If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking.

El Malpais National Monument - New Mexico

El Malpais means 'The Badlands', but this volcanic area holds many sur ...

Updated: Mar 28, 2009 1:02pm PST

White Sands National Monument - New Mexico : Being in the Middle of the Desert and feeling like you're in Alaska is a very strange feeling. Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and created the world's largest gypsum dune field. Imagine driving through a desert and suddenly being transported into a winter wonderland, yet still be in desert like heat. That's what it feels like to be in the middle of White Sands National Monument when your views from Horizon to Horizon is solid white drifts Great spot for pictures, and amazing during the sunset If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

White Sands National Monument - New Mexico

Being in the Middle of the Desert and feeling like you're in Alaska is ...

Updated: Jul 29, 2008 8:23am PST

Bandelier National Monument New Mexico : No better way to describe Bandelier National Monument other than ancient ruins in the Southwest, Steep narrow canyons with plentiful wildlife, mountains rising to 10,000 feet, many acres of unspoiled backcountry and a colorful section of the Rio Grande river valley. The monument is just a few minutes drive from the scientific research town of Los Alamos, and close to other popular RV destinations including Santa Fe, the Jemez Mountains and several historic pueblo settlements. One of our favorite places we've seen over the past few years If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Bandelier National Monument New Mexico

No better way to describe Bandelier National Monument other than ancie ...

Updated: Sep 03, 2008 9:32am PST

Paddling the Apostle Islands Lakeshore - Wisconsin : The 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland host a unique blend of cultural and natural resources. Lighthouses shine over Lake Superior and the new wilderness areas. Visitors can hike, paddle, sail, or cruise to experience these Jewels of Lake Superior. Make sure to experience the caves along the Lake Shore! Amazing paddling experiences! If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Paddling the Apostle Islands Lakeshore - Wisconsin

The 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland host a unique blend of cultura ...

Updated: Sep 04, 2008 7:38pm PST

Boundary Waters Wilderness Minnesota : The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW or BWCA), is a 1.09 million acre wilderness area within the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota. The BWCAW is renowned as a destination for both canoeing and fishing on its many lakes and is the most visited wilderness in the United States. It was a shame the entire time we visited this area, it rained non-stop. We had one day that the clouds broke that we thought we'd be able to put the kayaks in the water, but the following day, we had 50mph winds with driving sleet! If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Boundary Waters Wilderness Minnesota

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW or BWCA), is a 1.09 m ...

Updated: Sep 03, 2008 10:00am PST

Blanchard Springs Caverns - Arkansas : Blanchard Springs Caverns is a jewel in the Ozark National Forest. Dubbed by Life Magazine as "one of the most extraordinary finds of the century" this living cave is constantly in the process of formation. Two paved, lighted trails, one of which is handicapped accessible with assistance, are open to visitors of all ages. Led by knowledgeable Forest Service Guides, the tour winds through water-carved passages, including an underground river and the world's largest flowstone. Cindy and I found this jem on a rainy day when we thought we were going to be stuck in the camper playing scrabble. What a find and it made for some amazing photography! If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Blanchard Springs Caverns - Arkansas

Blanchard Springs Caverns is a jewel in the Ozark National Forest. Dub ...

Updated: Sep 05, 2008 12:08pm PST

Cumberland Island Georgia 2007 : Cumberland Island is Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches, wild horses and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man and nature. Forgotten by the Carnegies who owned the island at one point, they left the Dungeness Mansion which is now just crumbling ruins. The whole island is sort of a ghost town. When they left, they left their stable of horses which now have reproduced and run wild along the salt marshes with the wild turkeys, armadillos and aligators that call this wild island home. There is no traffic on the island, and you must take a ferry over to the island to explore the endless miles of forgotten coastline. On our ferry trip home, we had schools of dolphin playing in the wake of the ferry. Surely a day we'll never forget and cant wait to go back! If you were to purchase any of these images, the watermark will not be on the print. Thank you for looking!

Cumberland Island Georgia 2007

Cumberland Island is Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island ...

Updated: Sep 10, 2008 5:28pm PST