In a recent interview I was aksed why my fascination with the American southwest runs so deep. That list is a lengthy one but topping it are the western skies.

At night, nestled deep into a sleeping bag in the back of the truck, the starlit desert skies are truly awe inspiring. I have had times where the sheer brilliance and majesty of those skies has left me breathless.

Then there are the towering clouds of summer that rise from the rugged landscapes that dominate the horizons. Majestic comes closest to describing such scenes though that word fails to capture the stunning grandeur of such scenes.

These photos are of Route 66 in western Arizona.