Day 10, Page and Antelope Canyon

Morning took us along the South Rim (scroll down for yesterday's introduction to the Grand Canyon) headed to the East entrance.  With a  dawn departure, we reached a new vista about the time the sun was making it’s imprint on the canyon.  Morning colors, so different from evening colors.  Again, magic, timeless, mystical.

Page was a required stop for two reasons, to see the new bridge at Glen Canyon Dam and to visit Antelope Canyon.  The bridge is wonderful.  But somehow, despite the engineering accomplishments of its makers, it left me a little disappointed.  I think I was confusing it with the bridge at Hoover Dam.  But it was spectacular non-the-less.  The dam is as I remember it from days of youth.  Older, like me, but grand and functional, the dam, that is.

A little East of town the Navajo people take you on a jeep ride to Antelop Canyon, a slot canyon as it is called. Thanks very much to friend Lloyd for mentioning it at the last minute before my departure.  Truly a must see if you’re in Page.  The land belongs to the Navajo, so admittance is only through their graces.  A forty dollar fee, it was worth every penny.  We joined 13 other people on the back of a ¾ ton truck, with ample shade and large sand capable tires.  It’s a 20 minute drive to the slot canyon over a wide and sandy wash that does require 4wd with desert tires to traverse.

The tour lasts an hour, slowly walking through this canyon, shoulder’s touching walls in places.  Despite the crowds in this very popular place, the beauty was overwhelming.  The Navajo guides, each the driver of your truck, did expert jobs of containing people in small groups so the photo opportujnities were ample.  After a while you think, how many more rock walls do I need to photograph.  And sadly I’ll admit that reviewing the results in a hotel room tonight, I could have used more photos.  It takes a hundred photos, as many of you kknow, to get a really spectacular one or two.  But I‘m happy with the results, and more so with the memory.

Tomorrow we traverse Monument Valley, and a number of the Southwest’s wonders.