Pages

Saturday 18 May 2013

PT CHALLENGE 200 ~ SPECIAL!!

Hi folks!! This is Mitch, hosting on this special occasion for Picture This. It's the 200th challenge!!  PT has gone through quite a few changes since it first started. The site was actually started by Baz several years ago, over on Multiply. Eventually Baz moved on to other things (of course he eventually returned and is now a regular contributor), and Mia took over the running of PT. I think I first joined PT around that time, too. Mia also eventually moved on to pastures new and somehow I ended up as the chief admin for the site. Then we had the demise of Multiply and the hunt for a new home, which we eventually found here on Blogger.  I think we have it running nicely here now, although one or two folks seem to have disappeared. I'd like to thank everyone who has taken part, either regularly or occasionally, and a big thanks to those who have hosted the challenges. Here's to another 200........or more!!

Anyway.....to celebrate our 200th challenge, the theme is 'SPECIAL'. You can post photos of anything that you consider to be special to you........special places, special people, special times in your life, special pets.........it's your choice.......and to make it even better.....just for this challenge only.......you can post up to SIX photos!! And please folks, don't just put up a bunch of photos, please tell us something about them....where they were taken or why they are special to you.

The most special person in my life, of course, is Joanne, and together we have visited some very special places. Here are my 6 photos:

1) Joanne at Walnut Canyon National Park.
Joanne

2) I don't like big cities very much, despite the fact I was born in one. However, New York is the exception. It has a special kind of energy I've never found in any other city.
Lookdown 1

3) Zion National Park, Utah. Unlike the Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon, where you are above the canyon looking down into it, at Zion you are at the bottom looking up. The huge rock formations really make you feel small!!
Magnificent Zion 5

4) If you wanted a house with a special view, this would be hard to beat!! This is the ruin of a Hopi box-canyon dwelling at the Wupatki National Monument, Arizona. Looking towards the San Francisco peaks (no connection to the city of the same name) in the distance. Imagine waking up to that view every day!!
Box Canyon Dwelling 4

5) No visit to the South-West of the US would be complete without a visit to the 'special mamma' of all National Parks.....the Grand Canyon!! For sheer size, it can't be beat. This is a view from the South Rim.
Grand Canyon 27

6) Although Grand Canyon might be the biggest and most famous of the National Parks, for me the most beautiful of the ones I've visited so far is Bryce Canyon National Park. The amazing sandstone spires have to be seen to be believed. A truly special place I hope to return to in the not-too-distant-future. Also, at just over 9000 feet elevation, it's the highest place I've ever stood without being in an airplane!!
Bryce - Inspiration Point 10

14 comments:

  1. Lovely shot of Joanne. Cool one of the city never sleeps. Majestic mountain landscapes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Congratulations!!! 200th Picture This.

    Mitch, you really take wonderful photos, I don't know what more can I say...:)

    Great shot for New York city.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sophie :-)) I'm looking forward to seeing your photos for 'special'.

      Delete
  3. I cant believe its that long ago LOL!!!!!! Six wonderful shots for the theme all first class starting with a beautiful shot of Joanne nice work Mate I am gona think this one over and post something tomorrow;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, it really has been that long!! LOL. Thanks, mate.....looking forward to seeing your entry.

      Delete
  4. I love all your photos, another inspiration for my humble works. Above all New York is a great capture a sort of angle that I have not seen before. I felt so sick in the helicopter I gave up with photography.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pat :-)) I've never actually been in a helicopter. That shot of New York was taken from the 82nd floor observation deck at the Empire State building.

      Delete
  5. What a great theme for this week!! 200 weeks of Picture This - that is really quite a grand record, almost 4 years. I am a relative newcomer, but I must admit I pop out of bed on Saturday morning to see what the theme is and people's pictures and pop up again on Sunday to see the reactions to mine.

    You take such wonderful photographs of Joanne, of course she is lovely and you bring out her beauty. Stunning pictures of NY and the American west; I especially like the Hopi ruins and their magnificent view.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Benni :-)) I always try to get at least one photo of Joanne wherever we go, but it's not always easy, as she'll have her camera to her face, taking lots of photos, just like me, so sometimes I have to sneak them. LOL. On our most recent vacation I got her to stand still long enough to get some good ones like the one above. Yes, the view from the Hopi ruins is magnificent. It's also very flat and open, so quite strong winds, I imagine it's bitterly cold in winter!!

      Delete
  6. Happy 200th Challenge!!!!It's incredible how time flies... Thanks for all your efforts to keep this Group alive!
    The photo of Joanne is the top one in every sense. The others, are of the quality and beauty that your photos always show...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Belita :-)) Sometimes it has been hard work to get the group organised, but when I see all the fabulous photos the members post for the challenges, it makes it all worth it!!

      Delete
  7. hi mitch, my dear welsh friend I would have bet 100000 pounds that Joanne was one of your special, lol.but you're right because a person who is near to your heart as J. is to yours is always SPECIAL. ciao

    ReplyDelete