Karen and Tom Wanderings

The main attraction to Page, at least for us, was Antelope Canyon, a world-famous slot canyon.  We had a bit of trepidation since it's a major tour stop and, by all accounts, quite a people-herding scene.  But we'd also heard it was still worth it.  So we joined the conga line and went through Lower Antelope Canyon, and it was spectactular! Just endless curvy shapes in the narrow canyon. Overall, we spent a couple of days in Page, and poked around to see some various sights there, including some nice sunsets.  And of course we applied for The Wave lottery, and, amazingly enough, scored!!  Stay tuned.   Colorado River at Sunset, from the Dam Overlook Glenn Canyon Dam from the Dam Overlook Lower Antelope Canyon Lower Antelope Canyon Lower Antelope Canyon Conga Line, Lower Antelope Canyon The Travelers, Lower Antelope Canyon Lower Antelope Canyon Lower Antelope Canyon Horseshoe Bend Sunset view at Wahweap Overlook More Photos    Detail...

Our next stop was Page, AZ, about an hour east of Kanab, and the site of the Glenn Canyon Dam.  We took the more southerly, scenic route there from Kanab (Highway 89A), and saw some of the extensive burns caused by the wildfire on the north rim of the Grand Canyon from earlier in the year (which, incidentally, burned down the Grand Canyon Lodge on the north rim, and kept that part of the park closed until early October). Along the way, we also visited the Lees Ferry area, which marks the NE end of the Grand Canyon and is about 15 miles downstream of the Glenn Canyon Dam.  It also serves as a launching point for rafting trips through the Grand Canyon.  We tackled the several mile hike down Cathedral Wash to the Colorado River, and it turned out to be a bit spicier than we anticipated.  There were several spots where we almost turned around due to the lack of an obvious, safe route, but eventually gathered our courage (and/or suppressed our fear), and pushed onward....

Our #1 priority in the Kanab area (and later, in Page) was to apply to the lottery for a much-sought-after permit for The Wave.  This amazing-looking rock formation got onto the world's bucket list from being on the Windows opening screen.  Permits are required, and strictly enforced.  Some are released 6 months in advance (or something like that), but a few are released one day before the trip.  We had tried to score one on our previous trip to the area, but weren't selected.  The current lottery process requires you to be in the Kanab/Page area to even apply.  So we applied the first day, and (unsurprisingly) didn't win. So, after a night in Kanab (complete with shower and good food), we awoke early to hit #2 on our list ... Buckskin Gulch.  It's one of the premier slot canyons in the world, and our visit a few years ago was amazing (of course).  The weather was cooperating (i.e., no rain anywhere in sight), so we didn't want to miss our chanc...