Just Around the Horseshoe Bend...

After leaving the Grand Canyon, Sue and I headed toward Page, AZ to visit the legendary Horseshoe Bend (see how I linked the title post to a Pocahontas song? One of the most under rated Disney animated features in my humble opinion)! Now you've probably seen a million images of this unique rock formation surrounded by the Colorado River, so the above image is nothing new or extraordinary. Nearly every spot will give you a great pic, but beyond that, there's not much else to photograph. So what kept me mostly enraptured (as I waited for the sun to set) was the amount of people willing to do funky, and often times, dangerous things to get a photograph! This would include individuals taking selfies perilously close to the edge to whole families dangling their legs over ledges.

The funniest and often most problematic visitors are those who's personal boundaries differ from your own. I've had folks come within inches of my tripod legs while attempting creative and bizarre poses. They seem oblivious to their surroundings, so determined to capture that perfect moment. I've learned to take it in stride and keep a hand on my gear. The last tragedy at Horsebend involved a 15 year girl who plummeted to the bottom from undetermined causes. It's a sad tragedy I wish on no one...

While in Page, we stayed at the Baymont by Wyndham hotel for the unbelievable rate of $109.00 per night (which included a full breakfast buffet in the lobby). During check-in, I was told our room was wheelchair accessible and a bit larger/wider than normal. I didn't request a handicap room so I offered to give up the room for a standard one. The front desk agreed but wanted to charge me $156.00 a night. I respectfully declined!.

Once we were checked in, Sue and I headed into town looking for a place to eat. After looking at Yelp reviews, we decided on mexican food at El Tapatio's. Being in the Southwest, I figured we were in for a good meal, but whoa, the cuisine here was amazing. The guacamole dip contained huge chunks of avocado (not the mashed up type you find at the grocery store or fast food joints) with just a light touch of spices! I had their burrito deluxe which was good for lunch and dinner.

Antelope Canyon was on the agenda for the next day. I booked a photographer's tour which allowed me to bring in a tripod. Located on Navajo land, this location is truly a sight to behold. Carved out by water, the blend of light and colors are a testament to God's creativity. While I loved the sights, taking photos was not an easy task. The pathways in some areas are very narrow, and there can be 4-5 different tour groups running visitors through the canyon at any given time. Fortunately, the competing groups were very courteous to other guests, and allowed me time to take some long exposure shots. My guide would set me up at key points and hold back crowds. I nonetheless felt a bit stressed as I did not want to hold up anyone else for very long. Nonetheless, it was totally worth the effort and I'm happy with how the pictures came out.

                                           Anyone notice the heart shape in this pic?

                                               Falling Sands from Another Time...

The canyons were formed by erosion mostly due to flash floods. During monsoon season, rainwater can be intense, picking up speed and sand as it winds its way through the tunnels. The last major flood occurred in 2006, lasting 36 hours.

The entire tour lasted a little over 2 hours with our guide driving us back to campgrounds at its conclusion. 

As an added bonus, the trip included stops at the Historic Navajo Bridge and Glen Canyon Dam. Both are intricately linked to the Colorado River. Originally named the "Grand Canyon Bridge" upon its completion in June of 1929, the Navajo bridge was officially renamed five years later by the state legislature. It is currently tied as the ninth highest bridge in the USA.

Without the Glen Canyon Dam, I'm pretty sure Page would not exist as a town in Arizona. Built to share water rights among Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Utah, this dessert area was found to be most conducive to building the 710 foot dam. Constructed between 1956 to 1966, the dam forms Lake Powell and is one of the largest man made reservoirs in the country.