© Joel Zolondek

© Joel Zolondek

© Joel Zolondek

<< previous page

At one point, the photogs took off but the TV crew was really getting some great "B roll" shots and stayed behind. Jillian and I stayed behind too but then decided to follow the photogs and keep them in our sights. (It's a really big Valley with lots to block one's view.) We saw the photogs way ahead and started toward them. Unfortunately, they then dropped out of sight and we couldn't figure out how to get to them. Of course, the TV crew was nowhere to be found. We drove to the top of a rise, stood on top of the van to look around and could see neither the photogs nor the TV crew. This was not good.

So we drove back down (nervously, as there was much sand) and parked the van under a cottonwood tree by the side of a road we were pretty sure the TV crew would have to pass by. They didn't. Just when we figured we were on our own, we glanced up and saw David's bright red jacket just above us. We were relieved to find everyone close by. Shortly thereafter, the TV crew came rolling up. We felt a little silly for our momentary panic and decided to act as though we were just waiting for them by this scenic little stream.

That night the group did a show and tell of photographs they had brought on the trip. It was most interesting and gave one a whole new view of the participants as now seen through their photography. David gently critiqued their pictures until we were shoo'd out of the restaurant by staff waiting to close.

Day 4: Goodbye, Monument Valley

Despite the long hours and frigid weather conditions, Jillian and I are sad to leave this magnificent place — Monument Valley. Having the opportunity to work with David Muench surpassed our greatest expectations. We're headed back to work with lots of ideas on how we'll use the incredible material we got. As we traveled south for Phoenix, the TV crew continued on with the photogs and David, capturing even more wonderful footage along the way.