Thought I’d treat myself to a lie-in after only getting to bed at just before midnight (astrophotographers stay up late!).
So, not sure why 3 & a bit hours later, I was trying not to wake the others, with my failed attempt to sleep. By 4am, I’d had enough and decided it was time to make up for my tardiness the sunrise before.
I was out of the door for 4:30, for a 5:32am sunrise. It’s odd, actually getting up at the time I normally start waking up at home. (I’m not a good sleeper, btw).
Bag packed, battery chargers connected, tripod (which is genuinely on its last 3 legs) stowed, and a short drive back up to Yavapai Point, where I was less than 5 hours previous.
Out of the car, and up to the viewing point, where I was amazed at the number of people that had made the effort – not too many to spoil it, but enough to remind you how much of a privilege it is to see. And everyone “got it” – it was respectfully quiet, but good spirited as well. Except for a fella from Japan who was seemingly trying to “snot-snort” the Grand Canyon in a one’r.
Speaking of the Japanese, I forgot to mention yesterday, that whilst we had a butty up at Hermits Rest, an older couple and their son, sat next to us, and got their lunch out. We were inthralled!
Plastic box, branded, and in a sealed wrap. Once open, there’s a top tray that comes out. Noodle type things go in, then some other “stuff” from various sachets, except one that Son tells Dad not to open.
Son gets water, and the unopened sachet is opened to reveal what looked like a sanitary pad. This goes in the main container, water added, the top tray is put on top, and the lid is replaced on top and snapped closed.
A few minutes later the whole contraption whistles, emits steam from a vent, and then the lid popped off under pressure, making us jump and the Japanese family laugh at us (all in good taste). Hot food on the go!
Anyway, back to today, taking sunrise photos is a technical, logistical, and artistic challenge. The scene changes by the second, and there are two ”subjects” – the view east with the sun rising over the horizon and the view west where the sunlight starts to light up the red rocks in the canyon. Exposure is changing by the second as well! All good fun.
Sunrise was well and truly done by 7am, so I headed back to see if the others were up. They were, so we packed up the car and headed to Yavapai village for breakfast.
We checked out and headed up Highway 89 towards Page. It’s about 2 1/2 hours drive in to the town, and fairly uneventful (nothing to break the journey up).
We had booked a tour of Upper Antelope Slot Canyon back in April, and we were well aware that this was the only tour that had availability for today, and weren’t intending to leave any room to screw it up. As such, we decided to go straight to Chief Tsosie’s gaff and make sure we have the correct time, as we are right on a time border (Utah being an hour ahead, and Navajo regions acknowledge summertime and also are an hour ahead).
Major faux pas to start, having called in at Antelope Canyon Tours to check our booking, to be told to go over the road to Antelope Slot Canyon Tours. Doh!
With times confirmed (5pm Arizona time) we had a few hours to explore before we could check in, so drove by the hotel on the way out to Horseshoe Bend, which is only a mile or so out of town.
Parked up, and into >38deg heat, suncreme on, water bottles filled and a 3/4 mike hike through sand, over a hill and down to the bend. Loads of people to-ing and fro-ing, so was concerned that we may not see the Horseshoe without peering over someone’s shoulder.
Turns out that although it’s busy, we still got some great views. The “Darwin Awards” were also in full swing with some “brave” people walking out on a tiny outcrop over the +1000ft sheer drop. It’s surprising that only 3-4 people per year fall to their deaths here, tbh.
The walk back was a killer as well – a long slow drag up the hill through sand and towards the searing sun, but we made it back to the car, aircon on full, and more water drunk.
We then drove out over the Glen Canyon Dam, and on to Wahweap Marina for lunch, where we picnic’d with real Road Runners (“Beep! Beep!”). They’re smaller than I expected, and not blue. Disappointing.
As we ate, we watched two or three storms come in around us, with a background rumble and lots of lightning. Wonder if our canyon trip will be cancelled?
Back to the (really nice, brand new) hotel for 3pm to check in, where we crashed out, with the exception of Jane, who’s face had gone purple, and was now feeling sick and lightheaded. A cool shower and more to drink for her!
At Antelope SLOT Canyon Tours, we were allocated to Truck 7, where our driver and guide would look after us.
The trucks had two rows of bench seating in the modified flatbed, with a sun shade over the top, and after getting strapped in, we set off through Page and then off-road across the desert flood plain to the entrance to the Slot Canyon.
It’s a small entrance (it’s actually the exit for water) to a canyon formed by flooding, that still occurs today. It’s a canyon not a cave, as it’s open to the sky albeit through a very narrow slot. This means that light “beams down” to the canyon floor and lights up the multicoloured , water-carved rocks.
Our guide was amazing! He talked everyone through how to take great photos of all of the fantastic views, along with providing some history on the canyon, it’s occupancy and almost overnight fame. He even played his Navajo pan pipes for us at the end whilst in one of the larger caverns, which sounded fantastic.
Back on the trucks into town, and although covered in a dusting of red sand, we went straight for tea (that’s tea as in the evening meal – breakfast, dinner and tea, in that order!).
We ate at Stombollis, a family run Italian that’s been going since 1982. We know that, because Jane and I ate here on our honeymoon, 25 years ago, and again with Ann & Arthur in 2000!
The food was great, the cold Flagstaff Amber Ale even better, and then back to the hotel for some sleep – we are all “happy exhausted” again, as usual!
A more chilled-out day planned tomorrow, although I do need to speak to Yosemite Park and work out what we do about it being evacuated, due to the bush fires.
Night all – see you tomorrow!