Sunset and Sunrise in Monument Valley, UT

I'm so excited that you're still following along!!! 

By the time we made it to Monument Valley, the sun was already setting.  We walked straight to the large balcony after checking into the hotel, and watched the sun go down. It was strange not to feel more awe at the sight of the towering rock monuments. To find the sunset just ho-hum that day.  I thought about that later.   How do you sustain  a high level of awe when you are seeing so many places that equal in beauty and sheer size?

Don`t get me wrong...the sunset was lovely. The towering shadows crept across the dessert floor like long fingers getting longer. Fun to try different settings and try some Ansel Adams monochrome type effects.  And then it was done.  This valley, the scene of many John Wayne Westerns, had gone to sleep for the night.

I thought the sunrise would be more of the same.  But it wasn't.  And I love that.  I love the unexpected.  These are some of my favourite photos of the trip!  The scene before me that morning  revealed the amazing pastel dessert sky that is so prevalent in South Western American art.  It is so neat to experience the moments that inspire pottery and weaving patterns.  And the next time you see the art or the pottery, you realize the patterns are from nature itself...because you saw it with your own eyes.   And buying a souvenir for someone else...just wouldn't evoke the same emotion in them as it did in you.  (So just keep it for yourself! tee hee hee)

Next stop: Monument Valley Floor

Water Holes Canyon, Page AZ

This. Was. So. Cool.

Water Holes Canyon.
It was part of the same canyon system as Antelope Canyon.  But to some it is not quite as spectacular. There is a nice section of narrows, where the walls almost close to a ceiling, so there is a lot more light. But not the dark closed in spaces of Antelope Canyon.

It was not remote.  It was just down the road from Antelope Canyon.
It was closed to the public. But not if you had a hiking permit.
It was deserted.   There were two other cars, and one was just leaving.
It was just us.   We had the whole canyon to ourselves for as long as we wanted.
Well....just us and the coyotes. Their foot prints were all over the sand. Probably for the water holes :)

There is a delicious thrill when immersing yourself completely in creation. I love the texture. I love it on sunny days and over cast days and rainy and snowy days. I love being alone there, just walking with my thoughts and my Creator.  I love it that after busy seasons these thoughts find a place to land. I love the sense of peace and rest in the physicality of hiking. The quiet.....and the whisper of the wind.

I guess my expectations were set right.

Next stop? Monument Valley, UT

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!)