One thousand feet above the Colorado River-twelve inches from disaster.

It has been an interesting year here in the Brandt household. So you haven't heard much from me lately. Forgive me for that and allow me to tell you a story from this week.

If you didn't know, I had broken a bone in my foot two months ago. This past Monday I finally got the immobilization boot off. You should know what that means, my hiking boots went on. My foot still hurts but it is a little better. I got lucky, as I often do, and had to travel to Page Arizona for my day job. One of my favorite places in the state is there, Horseshoe Bend. Horseshoe Bend is a 270 degree bend in the Colorado River that you can only see from above. One thousand feet above. On the sandstone cliffs. It's pretty, very pretty. And dramatic. The sandstone cliffs change color with the time of day and the season. What better place could there possibly be to stretch out my healing foot.

My friend, Daniel, and I arrived in Page just in time to watch the storms surround the city. But it was sunny where we were so we headed out to Horseshoe Bend. During the three quarter mile hike from the parking area Daniel explained to me how much he hated heights. I told him the story of other people that I had brought here that couldn't reach the edge. I also told him of my own first visit when I was so determined to get the photo that I had to crawl to the edge and take the photo from my belly. I've been there so many times now that the heights don't bother me. I just walk right up to the edge. Today it was more like I hobbled up to the edge.

I found a spot that I thought might be slightly different than I've ever taken photos from before. I hobbled right out to the edge and set up my tripod. It was beautiful. Daniel took this photo of me on the edge.

As I was composing my photo a lady and her daughter mentioned that I might have lost my mind being so far out on the edge. I half turned and spoke with them for a few minutes before returning to my passion. I took a series of photos to capture as much information as I possibly could. I became aware of the wind increasing in speed. It was coming from behind me so I was a little concerned about it pushing my camera over the edge. I continued taking my photos while holding down the tripod with increasing force. The wind was getting strong.

I finished capturing what I wanted, stood up, picked up the tripod and folded legs together. The next gush of wind hit me with more force than ever. I suddenly realized that not only had I been holding the tripod down, but the tripod had been keeping me steady as well. My original plan had been to step back with my right foot but I couldn't get my left foot to summon the strength to push me backwards. I pushed the tripod legs back into the rock to keep me steady. I couldn't swivel in either direction without feeling like the wind would push me over. I looked down at the river 1,000 feet below and the panic set in. Pure terror suddenly touched my every fiber.

In what seemed like an hour, but was probably seconds, I looked for a ledge to jump to, considered sitting down, thought of casting aside my beloved camera while I jumped backwards while spinning wildly to look for my landing zone. I was too scared to move. I couldn't even turn my head away from the ledge. I needed to know where it was. I couldn't see any way off of this ledge that didn't include down. Down meant a very bad ending.

I thought to myself "I'm not going to make it off of this ledge!"

I'm not going to make it off of this ledge. That was the thought that made me realize that I had to take control. I had to stop the panic from being in control. All I needed was one step backwards. And the sooner the better. I wasn't sure how long I could control the terror. Looking right I saw Daniel standing a little bit away from me. I called out to him. He must have seen it in my eyes because I don't remember making much of a motion but he came.

"Do you need to hand me something?" he asked. "ME!" I replied.

Without hesitation, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety or dignity, Daniel crawled out on the ledge where I was standing and reached out his hand to me. I only remember quickly reaching back and grabbing his hand, pulling myself towards him and that one step I needed to feel safe again. We both quickly retreated from the ledge and smiled at the safety of something wider than a 12 inch ledge.

The adrenalin coursed through my body for a while but I knew that I would learn from this. Isn't that how we continue living? I'll go back when I get the chance. And yes, I will go right to the edge.  I will make sure I have two good feet next time. I will also watch the wind and mind it more than ever.

But you know I will go again. I have to be on the edge to get photos of views like this.

Here is Daniel after he saved me. Suspiciously close to the edge. I wonder if he gained some confidence.

Next stop is the Grand Canyon. I hope my foot has recovered enough that I feel comfortable close to the edge. You can be sure I will be careful though.

Looking back at 2013. What a year!

1/5/2014: I began this just before Christmas. The season was so busy that I wasn't able to finish it until this morning. It is still relevant, at least it is to me.

I was looking through my photos from 2013 the other day. I was looking for something in particular. I ended up reliving the year. I never found what I was looking for. But I did spend a lot of time reflecting on the past.

I am often amused when I get together with people that have known each other for a very long time. Eventually they will start to tell stories from the old days. If I have known them long enough I will have heard the stories before. Most of them more than I wanted to. I am reminded of this today because we are preparing to get together with my wife's family to celebrate Christmas. We see them very often through the year so it's not unusual for us to get together. Because of the holiday we will spend just a little more time together than is usual. And I will hear the same stories that I hear several times a year. We will laugh like we always do. I will love every second of it.

I tell you that because it is odd to me. I don't spend a lot of time looking back at the past. It's not that I don't have a reason to. I feel like I have had a wonderful life. Sure there have been some tough times. But I have had a lot more good times than bad. At least that's the way I remember it. 2013 was full of both good and bad. But as I was looking through my photos from the year I was thinking of all of the good days.

January took me from Tucson to San Fransisco and out to the east coast. Each with good friends and memories. No epic photos. But I did buy that Pelican case that I wanted for travel. It was a great way to start the year.

February was a stay at home month. Much needed after the hectic January. I did talk my family into taking a walk around Tempe Town Lake one night this month. I loved the water in this photo of Mill Avenue Bridge.

March brought a friend into town. I always enjoy his visits and I look forward to this coming year when he gets here again. We made a trip up to Antelope Canyon where I captured the first great photo of the year. I have been through the canyon several times. I often come home with the same photos. This year I came out with something different and special.

April was mostly at home again. But a short trip to Show Low along with Google Maps took me out to a little lake for sunset. I learned a lesson about sunsets this trip. When you think it is over, wait. I had packed up my camera and headed back to the car when the sky exploded into pink. I ran back to the lake to capture this.

May was wildly exciting as my wife and I went to Colorado for a friends retirement party. My friend was retiring after over 20 years in the Army and he and his sister hosted a fantastic weekend in a lodge that looked across the valley at Pikes Peak. It was a fantastic time and I had the chance to see the Garden of the Gods at sunrise. A classic view but uplifting either way.

Here is a look at the table in the lodge. All set for a feast. And it was a feast.

June took me back to the Boston area and another chance to see my good friend up there. Once again we tried to get a decent photo outing. Even though we have bad weather he took me to his favorite beach where I captured this house in the rain. And we had a great dinner at Woodman's. The original fried clams. I can't wait to go back.

June also brought our family vacation to Disney World. Along with having a vacation of a lifetime with the people I love, I was able to see some very old friends from my Army days, and an old photography friend. It was a special week all together. And to prove that sometimes you just get lucky in photography. I got lost one night and ended up in a place I shouldn't have been during the fireworks. But I got this out of it. Lucky.

July brought a fireworks display to my neighborhood that was amazing. I was able to view the entire show from the comfort of my deck. And the photos were plentiful and colorful. But the best photo of the month came during an attempt another friend and I made to summit Mt Humphreys in Flagstaff. Just above the tree line the storm let loose with lightening. We had to turn back, and we were soaked. But it was a great time and I proved that my camera is very water resistant. I also captured this photo.

One day in August my friend from Colorado called me and said he was thinking about a road trip to Arizona. A quick call to my boss and wife (I am sure the order was different) and I was taking a photography trip up north. A great journey through the desert southwest. Including Monument Valley. So many beautiful photos were taken that it is hard to choose a favorite from the month. This photo of Tom on the outcropping 1,000 feet above the Colorado River has to be one of my favorites.

September brought homecoming. My chances to take photos of Sarah and her friends are coming to an end. I've been taking their photos together since the 7th grade. When they graduate this coming year they will scatter to different states for school. One to Indiana, one here in Arizona. I already miss having them around. They've grown into wonderful young ladies.

October sees me recovering from Mohs Surgery on my nose. A little cancer that's removed, completely. It will make me change a few things in my life. Probably too late. But maybe I can prevent further damage. The whole thing shook me a little. I've been told that it's a natural reaction. I stayed very busy at work. And I kept my nose off of the camera. The only photos were of my face but I will spare you from those today. I can share this with you though. Both my nose and my psyche are healing nicely. I actually put my face into the sun the other day and smiled. A warm smile indeed.

In November I joined the Desert Botanical Gardens and I experimented with star trails. But my favorite part of the month was decorating the house for Christmas. I really don't enjoy the work. But Janice loves it. And we were able to combine years worth of lighting ideas with a new idea to get a beautiful display. It's been up for a month but we still love looking at it. I will have to come up with a new idea for next year. I feel the pressure already.

December took me back to California. This time to the coast itself. Pismo beach. Living in the desert it was hard not to stare at the beauty of the ocean. Great sunsets every night. But The holidays were looming and I felt the rush to get back home.

 When I started this I meant it as a look back at some of my best photos of the year. Somehow it ended up being photos surrounding my favorite memories of the year. Tomorrow starts the first full work week of the year. It's time to start looking forward again. My first trip of the year is scheduled for the week after next. I am excited about the trip and the upcoming year. I hope every one of you has a fantastic year. Thank you for taking the journey through last year with me.