Day 4 - Page AZ
Trip Start
Sep 19, 2007
1
4
18
Trip End
Oct 06, 2007
Page,
Arizona,
United States
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Temp: 80 ºF
Accommodation: Best Western Lake Powell Hotel
Today is the day I have been looking forward to for a long time.
Many years ago while vacating in Sedona AZ, I saw some amazing pictures in a photographer store. Found out they were taken at a place called Page AZ. Never knew anything about it before. At the time it was not a short trip to get to and always wanted to go there someday. Finally years later, this is the day.
Got up and decided to get breakfast instead of eating at the hotel continental one
Canyon
. Ended up in McDonald 's. Afterward drove around to find places to buy souvenirs . We booked ahead on the web for the 11:30 am photographer's with Antelope Canyon Tour. Cost $40.00 per person + tax.
The photographer's tour is 2 hours and limited to 12 people. The regular tour is 1 hour and larger group. The jeep ride to the Canyon was 20 mins - 10 mins on regular road then 10 mins on rough road.
Got there and as expected it was wonderful ..The Navajo Native American guide led you thru the 'slots', pointed out the good spots to take pictures, tell you where to setup your tripod. There was a regular tour behind us where the guide is pointing out what some 'slots' looks like - an eagle for example, explains how the canyon is formed...etc more educational. Our tour did not get that... just take pictures.
Could not take enough pictures, 2 hours flew by. Must have taken hundreds of pictures.
It was not a very sunny day or the angle of the sun or the time of the year, we did not get to take picture of the 'beam' where the sun shines thru the gap on top hitting the bottom of the slot with sun beam
Navajo Bridge
. I have seen pictures of up to 3 beams in one spot. It was also a bit windy so tiny grand of sand is following from top while you point your camera upward. Sand got into every thing..We lucked out, the minute we got back to the parking lot of the tour office where we left our car, it started to rain.
It is now around 3:00 pm so we decided to drive to Marble Canyon. We passed the Navajo Bridge. There was an old one which is now a passenger bridge and a new one with more lanes.
It was raining when we got there, there was a sign for $15.00 to Lee's Ferry. There was no gate, just a donation type of box. Not sure if it was worth it. Lee's Ferry was the only way to cross the river before the Navajo bridge was built.
Rain harder so we stopped at the Marble Canyon Lodge Coffee shop for coffee & snacks. Talk to the waitress at the Lodge she asked the cashier at the gift shop said to just drive to Lee's Ferry don't worry about paying since we are not staying over night.
So we took a drive, still raining.
Lee's Ferry
. Saw the river and some rafters, some campers .. Took pictures of some big rocks side of the road. Got back to Page and pass thru some sunny pockets. We decided to find the scenic view road by the Dam. The view of the Dam and the river was great. Drove down further and found very cool rock formation that looks like wave. I saw pictures of them at a store before.
Stooped at the hotel to clean up.. Sand everywhere and in everything especially my camera . Went to Zapatas Mexican restaurant for dinner [saw name on a travelpod entry].
After dinner we drove down to view point to see about night picture of the Dam bridge..too dark and rainy. Went to Wal-Mart to pick up supplies and lunch for tomorrow. Back to hotel, access Internet via wi-fi chatted with Josh..catch up on my travel log..
I usually have my laptop but not this time. So I decided to take my Dell Axim PDA with me, I basically type the log every night and when there is a chance for a PC at the hotel I then cut & paste the entry, upload to TravelPod. This should be easier then trying to remember what I did everyday months after the trip. :>
Tips : Be sure to bring cleaning cloth, brush and something to protect your camera lens while taking pictures in the Canyon. Tripods is a must, good camera, no flash (as you will not get the colour on your pictures)
