Antelope Slot Canyon Tour

One of the last tours we took while we were in Page was the Antelope Slot Canyon walking tour.  We started out in Page seated in the back of a pickup truck.  It was about a 15 minute drive out to the canyon, which is located on the Navajo Indian Reservation.  All the guides are Navajo and the one we had was very well versed on the history and exactly where to stand in the canyon to get the best pictures.
Our guide is on the far right of this photo.

The drive included some off road so we had to be hanging on and got bounced around a little.  It was fun.

Once we arrived at the canyon we were grouped together and started the tour.

The weather was cloudy but the pictures are still amazing.  The guide went around to everyone and showed them what settings to use for each different camera they were using.  It was amazing how he knew what settings to use on so many different cameras and cell phones.
Robin used her cell phone and I used my camera and you can't tell which pictures are from which camera.

The tour inside the canyon took about an hour and we took many....many....pictures.  This place was awesome!!!!

I have included a link to all the pictures we took and a WARNING.....there are lots of them, but I couldn't decide which ones to post so I posted them all.....

Antelope Slot Canyon Tour

Hope you enjoy.....We are now in Hurricane UT for the week and hope to get to Zion and Bryce and whatever else we can find.....

Until next time........

Lake Powell and North Rim Grand Canyon

Part One.....Page Az. Lake Powell
We kind of stumbled on to this area looking for an area to kill some time.  Well I can tell you right now it was one of best stumbles I have done for awhile.  I was aware of Lake Powell but not of all the Navajo Reservation and the landscape in the area.

For those of you that have been here...you have kept it a secret very well....for those of you that haven't been here you need to get it on your bucket list.

We headed up to Page, Az. from Flagstaff on US89.  It brings you on to the Navajo Indian Reservation and the Lake Powell National Recreation Area....I think.  Your National Park Pass will get you into Lake Powell.

The closer we got to Page the more the landscape changed until we were driving through some pretty impressive canyons.

All we could say was WOW around every curve.

 Along the road coming into Page and again as we did our day trip to the North Rim we saw many little open stores where the Navajo sold their jewelry, pottery, rugs and blankets.  These little road side stands were all along the highway.  It appeared that they would drive up whenever in the mood to sell their wares and set up shop.

We checked in at our campground and set up for the week.  The next day was Sunday so it was relaxing with QVC and watching some football.  Unfortunately the Vikings had their first loss of the season....bummer....Rams lost also......

Monday we headed out to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  There was a threat of rain but we went anyway.  Most of the services have already closed for the season.  The landscape went from
bluffs and red rock.

to what is probably considered high desert

to the forest

to the North Rim of the "Big Ditch" better known as the Grand Canyon.

Absolutely amazing........
One other stop we made on the way up to the North Rim was at the Navajo Bridge that crosses the Colorado River.

We started back to Page and the skies opened up...lots of rain most of the way home.

More pictures of our trip to the Grand Canyon.

Trip to North Rim

Part Two... Lake Powell boat cruise through Antelope Canyon.
They have several different cruises on the Lake and do lots of business renting out houseboats in the summer.  They are getting ready to close up a lot of the services including the cruises.  They are mostly running through the end of October....so we got lucky.

We started out at 10:30 for and hour and a half cruise through the canyon.

As you came in closer to the canyon the walls of the canyon got closer and closer.
I am going to let the pictures do the talking as I don't think I have the vocabulary to describe the landscape as well as the pictures do....and again the pictures do not do it justice.

Here is a link to many more pictures of the canyon and boat ride.

Lake Powell Antelope Canyon

 After departing the boat and walking back up to the buildings we had the pleasure of spotting a roadrunner.

That is all for now.....
Tomorrow is a hike into the Antelope Slot Canyons.  
Enjoy!

Petrified Forest and Painted Desert

I guess I had better get caught up on the blog as we are getting ready to leave Williams, Az. tomorrow and I haven't completed a blog entry for the Petrified Forest and painted desert that we toured last week.  I probably won't be doing and entry for Williams Az. as we did tour the Grand Canyon and did an entry post than.  What we did do this time was spend more time around Williams.  It is a town of restaurants and route 66 gift shops.  We did take a tour through Bearizona Wildlife Park, it was cool.  Definitely would recommend.

Now back to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert.

We pretty much spent the day touring the area and enjoying the scenery.  We started out in the Petrified Forest. Pretty amazing how wood can turn to stone.

The Petrified forest than became the Painted Desert.  Of course, as usual, the pictures don't do it justice.  It is definitely worth a days drive to see it.

Tomorrow we have headed out to Page, Az. and Lake Powell for a week.

Here is the link for more pictures.
Petrified and Painted

Bye for now

Winslow Az and the Meteorite

Since these two site seeing opportunities were close together and pretty straight forward I am going to combine them into one blog update, mostly for historical purposes.

We started out in Winslow Az. and I don't think I have to explain the history of that stop.
In case anyone missed it, it is referenced in the Eagles song "Take it easy".

One thing I didn't know the town had has a memorial from 9-11. The first one I have seen in person.
It was nicely done. Not much more to say...We will never forget....

Our next stop was at the Meteor Crater.  Not to much to report....really big hole in the ground....but we can say....been there....done that.....

Bye for now......

El Morro National Monument

Yesterday we took a little road trip through a part of the Zuni Indian reservation to El Morro National Monument.  The landscape through the reservation looks like it did hundreds of years ago.  Basically unchanged except for the occasional house.

New Mexico also has some Fall foliage colors

The Monument was a stopping off place even before the pioneers as it was a water source all year around.

El Morro National Monument

The water run off collects in a pool at the bottom of the rocks, there is no spring feeding the pool.

There are cravings in the rock of people passing through the area and petroglyphs dating back
centuries.  In todays climate they would be referred to as defacing property and tagging.

The rock formations are pretty awesome.

we took a hike around the base of part of the mountain and got up close and personal with the really big rock.

Great day for being outside, the weather was perfect, mid 70's.

I have added more pictures of the area.

Zuni and El Morro album

Hope everyone has a great day!  Life is good!