Paradise Found: Part III - Horseshoe Bend

And the sights just keep coming. 

At a certain location just two miles outside Page, the Colorado River makes a 270 degree curve, called an entrenched meander known as Horseshoe Bend. Today we're at the overlook of Horseshoe Bend.

Wayne read all the safety precautions.

The orange rock all around here is Navajo Sandstone and this is the largest layer of it in the United States. It is composed of sand dunes dating to the Jurassic age -- they say, but how do they know for sure?

A small crowd was already there when we arrived. The path is about 1/2 mile each way, but the sand is deep and soft.
The surface above Horseshoe Bend can be seen between the two dark rock ledges in the center of the picture.

I liked these big sandstone cookies.

Sandstone is very strong as a whole using the compression of it's own weight to hold it together.  There are places, however, where sandstone is not strong... the top and the sides for example.  Signs warned to use caution going out too far onto the over-reaches of Horseshoe Bend overlook. Preaching to the choir here!

Not too close there, Wayne!

The first time we drove to Horseshoe Bend Overlook was early afternoon and I left Wayne in the car with the dogs to take the half-mile walk to the sight by myself.  It didn't take long to wear myself out in the deep sand going up the hill where I expected to see the famous bend in the Colorado River. To my surprise I was but 1/4 along the sandy trail.  I returned to the car.

Next morning, leaving Lexie and Ozzie at home,  Wayne and I drove back to Horseshoe Bend ready to take on the half-mile, deep sand path.  We took water, fresh batteries and hats.  The site did not disappoint.

As close as I'll get to the edge of Horseshoe Bend Overlook.

And there it was -- Horseshoe Bend.  My fear of heights kept me far back from the edge.  In the photo below, you can see my outstretched arms, holding my little camera, trying to be sure I got the entire horseshoe in the frame.  I could not do it.  No matter how I tried.  Better safe than dead.

Paradise Found: Part IV - Antelope Canyon

A few miles east of Page on the Navajo Reservations exists the most photographed slot canyons in northern Arizona.  Wayne is not a spelunker -- but these aren't caves, after all, and so he reluctantly agreed to go with me to see one of the dozen or so canyons in the area.

Our first stop was Antelope Point Marina where construction is ongoing. The marine is already complete with boat rentals and courtesy slips, a restaurant, convenience and gift store.  Later plans include a resort village.


The scenery was nice and the picture below became a favorite of mine. 



Antelope Point Marina with pretty good background scenery.

But let's get back to the slot canyon. 

Before the highway, before the dam, before the city of Page was even an idea, spectacular Antelope Canyon was a point of reverence to the Navajo people.

The English name for the slot canyon comes from the herds of pronghorn antelope that used to roam freely in the canyon.

To the Navajo, it is "the place where water runs through rocks" and/or "spiral rock arches"



Wayne with our Navajo guide, Nikki with her native musical instrument which she played during our canyon tour.

Antelope Canyons are on Navajo property and the U.S. National Parks are not involved in their promotion, ticket sales or tour scheduling.  Adult tours run $20 but each ticket requires an $8 individual permit making each just under $30 -- well worth it.  Small groups (less than 20) are led by a Navajo guide.


Entry into the canyon.... complete with steps...

To begin, here are a few pictures of Wayne and me to give an idea of the heights and widths in the canyons. Parts of the canyon were just wide enough to squeeze through.

The remaining photos are mostly without captions or explanation except where needed to appreciate the picture.   Enjoy them.

The bumps are calcium deposits

Tight squeeze to get the best photo for someone.

Sand, small sticks and other debris can blow into the canyon and settle in the little spaces. This one looked like a bowl.

See the two tiny heads at the bottom of the picture.

The people look so little inside the canyon!

Our tour of Antelope Canyon lasted almost two thrilling hours. Finally, we emerged at the other end and snapped another picture or two. Yes, Wayne was really glad he did it.


At the canyon exit.

You can see the other visitors not yet emerged from the canyon.