Antelope Canyon, Page AZ

After seeing the sun set over Horseshoe Bend, I went online to look up some Antelope Canyon photography tips.  I had read enough before leaving Ontario that it would be the most challenging venue to photograph. After reading tips and suggestions, I knew that the low light would limit the number of spectacular photos I could expect...so I hoped for at least a couple of great ones. Camera shake is the biggest challenge in low light.  And I would be limited to one lens... I would not be changing lenses due to the high level of dust in the canyon.

We started the day with another quick hike and opted to visit Horseshoe Bend again, this time in daylight.  To get this photo I had to hold the camera over the edge.  I'm not very fond of the edge!  My beloved is holding my hand.  He is the anchor allowing me to move close enough to the edge to see this spectacular sight, and he will not let me fall. Do you have someone in your life like that?  Who anchors you and holds you up?  I am so blessed!

Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon, one of many throughout Arizona and Utah, and one of my beloved's top 5 things to see on our trip. If you go to the link above you will see a photo of the famous "Beam". For a few minutes every day the sun passes through a spot in the top of the canyon and travels across the sandy floor.  This phenomenon occurred when we were on our way out of this canyon....I saw the beam(on top of the head of the guy in front of me....)but we were being herded through since a small group of photographers had paid extra and were set up for this coveted shot.(..and everyone was yelling at the guy to get out of the way.) THE shot requires a tripod, remote shutter release, and a good command of all your manual features. I decided ahead of time not to focus on this moment and I was okay with that.

One reviewer said it was overrated and to remember to enjoy the experience. When your expectations are set right, you are never disappointed.  You can focus so much on the one moment (which allegedly surpasses every other moment) that you forget how beautiful these rock formations are and how violent the floods must be to create them.

The acoustics are fantastic.  Our Navajo guide, Vere, brought her flute/pipe along and played a melody.   Haunting.  Lovely.
Next stop? Water Holes Canyon.  If you ever go to this area, DO go to Water Holes Canyon, across the road. It is worth the effort to find the Tribal land office in Lechee and pay $5 per person for a hiking permit.  (And do go back to tell them or telephone that you made it out!)

Glencanyon Dam and HorseShoe Bend, Page, AZ

The story of this trip is that we always try to squeeze in a hike or something at the end of the day when we arrive, or in the morning before we leave. This is how we reached a total hiking distance of 50km or so.   But... you have to be conscious of the amount of daylight left when you estimate a distance.   Going on a holiday in the spring did mean somewhat shorter days than  during the summer, but the temperatures for hiking were sublime!!  I can deal with a toque and gloves in the morning and evening, and layering down to a tshirt by noon.  

Page is NorthEast of the Grand Canyon.  Lovely and sandy. We were hoping to find a nice little hike and headed out of town toward the Glencanyon dam which is responsible for creating Lake Powell, another large reservoir.  And I thought that bush looked like a pile of chicken wire!  The hike near the dam was too long for the amount of daylight left, but a lovely Canadian family hiking out gave us great directions to the Horseshoe bend....we made it to the trail head, headed over the dune and followed the trail.   I am amazed at how something as large as a 1000ft deep canyon can be virtually invisible in a horizontal landscape.  Until you get to the edge that is!

I don't mind heights but I don't like the edge.   And...I don't really like other people being close to the edge either!

Next stop: Antelope and Water Holes Canyons, Page, AZ

Grandview and Desertview, East end GC

The Grand Canyon lies in the Kaibab National Forest.  In this area, you are constantly driving in some National Forest or another.  Grandview and Desertview lie about 25 miles East of GC and Tusayan. 

The Grandview trail was a hike that both of us were looking forward to.  It was not a mule trail and we anticipated that it would be a bit more rugged.   A few minutes into the hike I realized that I like a much wider trail...  (check the 3rd and 4th photo!  They weren't kidding when they noted on the map that some scouting might be required.)  It made me think later that I like life to be that way too.  While I like the adventure and thrill of the road less traveled, I do like a broad path and some idea of how I will reach the destination.  I was surprised to feel a fear that squelched my excitement and sense of adventure. I so disappointed about that. Maybe, deep down inside, I don't like risk as much as I say I do. I don't think it was always like that.

And so you realize that you have changed and it lingers in your mind...what are you going to do about it?

I didn't want to hike to end for my beloved and we agreed that he would continue for another half hour.  While hiking alone is not recommended, I was happy that I wasn't holding him back from something he really wanted to do. A group had gone done just before us and another one was coming down behind us.  I knew I would be quite happy taking photos back at the top of the rim.  I spotted the Watchtower at the Desertview lookout and knew we soon would be there, taking our last looks of the Grand Canyon.

This is always bitter sweet.  Over the years I've learned that I like beginnings and first glimpses much more than endings and last glances. 

The last two photos are taken from the Desert View lookout and beyond.  The colors in the landscape are amazing. That meandering river is the Colorado.  There were rafts going down the river.  This would have been a fun adventure if we had more time, but we spent more time hiking...it was a great decision!


Next stop, Page Arizona!

AND....there is a steel post in front of the Kaibab National Forest sign, so you can all be in the photo with Smokey the Bear.  Another thing off the bucket list!