Arizona – The Hermits' Rest

And Now for Antelope Canyon

I was too sleepy last night to do Antelope Canyon justice. After the only day I’ll get to sleep in on this whole trip, I’m much better! And yes, visiting Antelope Canyon is a highlight of my life so far.

It was really hot and sunny, but I handled it fine. It was a bit harder on Lee, yet he also had fun. It’s just a lot of climbing if you aren’t in good shape.

So, this is a slot canyon formed by flooding and wind, so there are beautiful patterns in the sandstone. There are also incredible shadows made by holes in the canyon. It’s simply breathtaking. Please enjoy and click to see the whole images. These are from both me and Lee.

Antelope Canyon, north and south chambers

We had a sweet young Navajo guide named Canyon (how convenient). I enjoyed talking to him about livestock and our traditions as we walked around.

Shadows from dust in light shafts. That’s the Holy Grail of Antelope Canyon pictures.

He did interesting demonstrations of how canyons form and of dust falling, too.

Sand falling video

Mostly, though, we all walked around holding our breaths at the surreal scenery. People keep saying my photos look fake or are a Microsoft Windows screen background. But they are real, with different colors appearing with different sun angles.

Don’t worry, I spent a lot of time just looking and not photographing. You have to sear the sights into your synapses. Here are a bunch of pictures of us looking around. Thanks, Lee.

Of course I found a lizard or two. I heard a couple of birds but didn’t see any. This part of the Navajo Nation is very stark.

However, there are other parts of the Navajo Nation I’d happily live in, even with the lack of services in some areas. I’m enthralled by areas with the dark volcanic soil and mountain views. I was surprised to see as many hogans as I did. Some have more traditional rooms attached to them.

I ended up climbing the equivalent of 41 flights of stairs yesterday. All worth it.

Old West shot of a wagon and tumbleweed.

A Day of Beauty

Another Arizona tour is in the books. My big takeaway is that there are so many kinds of beauty in this area that you could overdose on it. Today’s tour did take us to another nation and the most beautiful thing I ever saw, but the whole itinerary was filled with treats for the eye.

Our first stop was a scenic overlook where we could see a small gorge. But even before we got there, I enjoyed looking at the volcanoes and volcanic soil again. This tour guide was WAY chattier than yesterday’s, so I also learned more about the area.

For some reason these black hills mesmerize me

Next we drove to Horseshoe Bend, a place where the river makes a U-turn. It’s very popular for kayaking and canoeing, judging from the view down. I got a little nervous when people got way too close to the cliff edges. Only part of the viewing area has railings. However, I enjoyed seeing more Violet-green Swallows soaring around. They were in no danger.

More driving ensued, followed by lunch at a strange cowboy-themed restaurant where there was a very large wake going on in the back room, which we had to walk through to get to the facilities. Hmm. Next, we got a look at Lake Powell and the giant dam that makes it. I love a good hydroelectric plant and huge dam. The water is very low, though.

Next we drive through Page, Arizona, a town originally built for dam workers. The driver seemed strangely fascinated by how many boats there were. But, it’s next to a lake! I was fascinated that the high school mascot was Sun Devils. I think the guide drove us around town to waste some time so we would not be early to the next place.

I enjoyed scenery, even in parking lots.

Oh no. I’m too sleepy to finish. The best is yet to come! More in the morning!

Traveling and Sizzling

Been traveling. Yesterday we took back roads through a very hot but beautiful Arizona day. We passed through many tribal lands, including Apache. Eventually we hit the ocean and stopped driving. The solitude washed over me like yesterday’s desert rain and the heat burned through my concerns. I was left empty in a good way.

Desert rain from Thursday in New Mexico.

Here are some mountains, rocks, cactus, and vastness from our trip from western New Mexico to just north of San Diego. Lee loved the back roads. Me too. Who cares if it was 114°? Where we are now it’s perfect. Just like they advertise California to be.