Page Day 4 am, April 23, 2013

Page, Arizona

Day 4 am

South Coyotte Buttes

April 23, 2013

Here I sit at the intersection of Highway 89 and House Valley  Rock Road in Utah.  I'm waiting for the guide from Kanab.  He was successful yesterday in getting permits to hike in the South Coyotte Buttes today.  We would spend the morning visiting Paw Hole and hiking Cottonwood Cove in South  Coyotte Buttes then move on to another area after lunch.  I was so very thankful for being able to be where I was.  I kept telling myself this is for real, it is not a dream.  Once he picked me up, I signed the waiver then we carried on down House Rock Valley Road. We agreed we were in for fabulous when in a matter of five minutes of picking me up, we came across these birds blocking the road.  He had never seen these birds in the many times he has driven into this area.  We took it as a good omen.  The drive along this Road was wild and crazy.  There is no way my Soul would have made it.  We arrived at our destination.  The scenery was beautiful right from the start.  Yes, this for real, I told myself again.  After hiking, we came back to the Suburban, made lunch, then sat in the shade to savour our meal.  He said the afternoon would be just as pretty but in a very different way.  I could hardly wait!

Page Day 3 , April 22, 2013

Page, Arizona

Day 3 

Upper Antelope Canyon

April 22, 2013

I was warned that the Upper Antelope Canyon is the Navajo version of Disneyland with respect to the large number of tourists.  Being in tight spaces with hoards of folks is not my thing. I had concerns with the affect that could have on me but was willing to take the chance in favour of experiencing possibly a once in a life time, for me, thing.  After yesterday's visit to the Lower Canyon, I had a better idea of what camera settings to pick.  I got worried when I wasn't seeing what I saw yesterday when I looked through the view finder. I checked with the guide and he said have faith in your camera, this is a different canyon, a different time of day and just have patience, you will capture beautiful photos. He was quite the guide!  He shuffled me here and there, then back again, and forward, then back, all to be in the right spot at the right moment in time.  Being in the right spot and right moment in time was to capture those beams.  He was such a people person, he had a way of making sure I was able to get photos without people in them.  I forgot all about the tight spaces and loads of tourists.  I got lost in light beams, beautiful sculptured walls and taking photos. Once again, when I got back to my room, I was amazed at my photos.  I was anxious to get back to my room not only to see my photos, but also to find out via email if there was success with hiking in a "by permit only" area tomorrow.

Page Day 2 pm, April 21, 2013

Page, Arizona

Day 2 pm

Lower Antelope Canyon

April 21, 2013

Lower Antelope Canyon is the less frequented of the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons. I am not sure why, it could be that it does not have those famous beams of light shining in, or it may be because it is not as easy to maneuver through.  I wanted to go mid to later afternoon with hopes of capturing vibrant colors which I guess you don't get at earlier times in the day.  For close to two hours, it was just me, the guide and seven others.  I tried to figure out before hand what camera settings I should use.  I was confused and not sure which settings would be best. I read some reviews and many folks said the guides know every camera, and would help with what would work for your camera.  I asked for assistance and got it.  I changed the ISO, did something with the white balance, picked a shutter speed and leaned against a wall for extra stability when taking the photos.  I wasn't sure what I was seeing when I looked through the view finder.  I knew I was seeing colors and shapes which I wasn't seeing with my naked eye.  I have so much to learn about photography.  When I got back to my room and downloaded the photos, I was shocked.  The vibrant colors were exactly what I wanted.  This is just a very small sample of the many, many, many amazing photos I came out of that canyon with.  I felt confident now that I would also have success in the Upper Antelope Canyon tomorrow.

Page Day 2 am, April 21, 2013

Page, Arizona

Day 2 am

Antelope Island

April 21, 2013

I planned for an easy morning with a later start.  The only work I had to do this morning was drive 20 minutes to Antelope Island Marina.  It was a scorching hot morning and relaxing on a boat, motoring around Lake Powell was the ideal choice.  We started off in a wide open space and aimed for the narrow canyons.  As the canyon walls got narrower, they seemed higher.  We motored right to end and landed at a small private beach.  The guide waited for me as I hiked a bit down into the canyon. I felt like I was in a very special place.  When I returned to the boat, we headed back out to the wide open space.  The guide pointed out easy to get to spots along the shore of the Lake.  I found one of those spots which was perfect to relax at and have a late lunch. I had a little time to pass before my next new experience.

Page Day 1 - April 20, 2013

Page, Arizona

Day 1

Arrived & Horseshoe Bend

April 20, 2013

I thought this day would never come.  I first heard of Page and Lake Powell, Arizona in 2010 while on a canyoneering trip near Zion National Park in Utah. From what was described to me on that May day, I made the decision then, that I needed to pay this place a visit.  What confirmed that decision, was realizing how much there would be to do and see in the area. Three years later, here I am!

It was a 3:30am start to the day. I flew into Denver, Colorado and from there, caught a connecting flight on Great Lakes Aviation to Page, Arizona.  I picked up my car, bought groceries, checked into my room, ditched the luggage, grabbed my camera and drove a few minutes south on 89 to Horseshoe Bend.  I found a spot I could own, remembered to breathe, gave thanks, then was ready to make the most of every moment.

I have seen many folks photos of Horseshoe Bend and I wanted to have one I could call mine.  It was not the best time of day for lighting to get the optimal shot but that did not matter to me, I'm here and that felt like WOW.  I went for my shot.  I laid down on a flat section, shimmied along inch by inch closer to the edge, peered over, my heart skipped a beat, I shook, stretched my arms out holding on tightly to my camera, then got my shot. It's my photo, my very own photo of Horseshoe Bend.  

Visiting here on my first day in Page set the tone for my vacation. 

I walked down along the trail to my car feeling on a high.  

Now it was time to go to my room, unpack and settle down for the evening.    

Success in 2 Hours

That was all the time I had this morning and that was all the time I needed to accomplish two goals!  Goal #1 was to seek out my first crocus sighting of the season.  I knew the place to go because in the past two years I had success here even though it was a week or so later then now.  The grassy slopes of Hanson Ranch are the surefire place to find budding crocus.   

Within five minutes of heading up the hill, I spied a young one.  

It only needs a bit of sunshine to perk up.

The slope was covered in mostly buds but I was able to find a few that were more mature and showed off their vibrant purple shade.  I would say by next weekend this area will have quite the show to offer up.  I spent some time on the ground trying to capture the beauty.  Another thing, due to thick fog, the only things visible were what were right before my eyes. 

 Goal #1 accomplished!

Being on my own, I could take time to play with my SX40HS.  

I worked with getting the color correct, the focus fine, and then shot the subject.  

I left the grassy slopes and aimed for the rocky ridge.  Being very early morning with dense fog and not capable of seeing even in the close up distance, I added some vocals at the corners.  Even though this park is right smack in the city, coyotes do frequent the area and I have seen them at work from a far, stalking and terrorizing.  The fog added a sense of suspense at each corner.

Goal #2 was to test out my new footwear.  After a couple of kilometers hiking up the grassy slopes, along the ridge near the top and scampering over boulders, I already knew my new Verdi's would become part of my arsenal for attacking upcoming treks and adventures.

Goal #2 accomplished!

With my two goals accomplished, I wasn't ready to head home as there was still too much to see.  Well, the fog was still thick and seemed to be getting thicker.  I know there is a view through this window but  today I had to focus on, not the view, but the rock formation and color.  

"Little robin red breast sat upon a rock"

This one was not little!

Maybe it's a she and carrying little ones!

Traipsing through hill and dale led me to the paved path.  

I followed this for a very short time....

...preferring to be in the meadows on the slopes amongst the boulders...

There are homes and mountains between the benches, trust me.

photo at perfection although not a perfect pretty plant

Through the fog, I found the first of many fence poles that would lead the way back to where I came.  

Now two hours later with two goals accomplished, I darted back to my car as the snow began to fall heavily.  Happy not to have a far drive as visibility became very poor.   I'm glad to have today's little "out & about" under my belt already.  It paid off to get out early.