After Helen and I enjoyed a fantastic week with our kids and grandkids, it was time to turn around and head home. We had a delightful journey on this trip to the West Coast and spent over two months camping on beaches in temperatures that never exceeded 75°. We had a few more adventures planned for the days ahead, but leaving our family was still difficult.
We drove to Fort Irwin near Barstow, CA, from El Capitan for a one-nighter. We were thankful we were only there for one night because the heat was stifling. But we didn’t know what stifling was until we reached Las Vegas and 118° degrees. Poor Mortimer! We had to feed him ice and lots of ice water until we could drop the temperature in our trailer with both air conditioners blasting away.
While there, Helen and I visited the strip several times but remained indoors. We usually park in the large outdoor lot behind Harrah’s because our long-bed truck is difficult to park in the garage. Hot weather made the garage a bit more attractive on this trip, and we went in the early afternoon when the garages were less crowded. Regardless of the eventual outcome, we enjoy playing the penny slots in the casinos—people-watching adds to the fun. Elvis (several of them) was in the building.
From Vegas, we drove to Page, Arizona, on Lake Powell, near the border with Utah, for slots of a different stripe. Helen and I visited Page several years ago to hike and take a boat ride through the Canyon on Lake Powell. Because we had visited the area, we only scheduled two nights on this trip. However, the Page area has a lot to offer, and FOMO (fear of missing out) took over, so we read up on what was available. Most prominent on the to-do list was a tour of the Antelope Canyons on the outskirts of town.
I remembered a post by my bloggy friend, Ingrid, about her visit to the slot canyons several years ago and sent her a message asking for a recommendation. She had toured Canyon X on her trip, but we couldn’t get tickets. Helen suggested we drive to the tour offices and beg. Sure enough, two spaces were available for the 4:00 pm tour of Lower Antelope Canyon. A Military Discount made the tickets affordable, and we booked the tour. We went back to the campground and took a nap.
When we returned to the Canyon, the parking lot was full of cars and tour buses. Helen checked us in, and the tour operator directed us to a shelter for Group “E,” where we joined about 25 other canyon-goers. Helen and I were the only Americans in the group. After a few minutes, the leader called the roll and led us about a half-mile away to the Canyon entrance. The steps down to Lower Antelope were steep, but there were no more steps after that.
Once inside the Canyon, I marveled at the color and the formations. Our guide, a college-age member of the Navaho Tribe, explained that we were amid layers of petrified sand that had formed over millions of years. The bright orange sand and sweeping turns made great photo ops, and I snapped away. Occasionally, we could look upward and see a bright blue sky that offered a lovely contrast to the orange sand spiraling toward it. Once again, I experimented with black & white and placed the result next to the same photo in color here.
We made friends with a family from Poland who were hiking ahead of us during the tour. The family included the group’s grandfather, who had never visited America. Their trip aimed to show Granddad the wide open spaces of the American West. They were very charming, and Grandad often helped Helen over a large rock or two.
In addition to the bright orange sand, many formations along the path offered some interesting viewing. The residents had names for most of the formations, and I wish I could remember them all, but senior moments prevented me from doing that. I remember the names of two formations: The Lady In the Wind and the Singing Sandstone–appropriate names for both.
The trail was just over a quarter of a mile, and we climbed upward to the end long before I was ready to leave. Climbing out of Lower Antelope Canyon brought a fun-filled afternoon excursion to a close.
Thank goodness for FOMO. We’re Easin’ Along (ahead of a storm in the desert).
Joe, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell have been on our list for years. We will get there one day, but I have to admit, that photo of the exit made me feel a little queasy. I guess I’ve never pictured the entrance or exit. Good for you guys.
Your photos are amazing. I especially love the one that you have also shown in B/W. Wow!
Good morning, Suzanne,
I would encourage you both to visit and take your camera–just don’t do it in August, it’s hot down there. The steps down were a bit steep, but getting out was not nearly as bad as it looks from that picture. I also recommend a boat tour of Lake Powell. Great to hear from you. Surely, it’s cooling off down there by now. Joe
Another great trip for you and Helen!
Hi, Linda,
This was a great stop and a lucky break led to tickets for the Canyon Tour. Thanks for coming along. Have a great week. Joe
I’m glad you managed to squeeze in a slot canyon tour. You took some very nice photos. I can’t believe how low the lake looks. The last time we were in Page was in 2018.
Hey there!
So glad I remembered your post. We will go back and I want to tour Canyon X and Upper Antelope Canyon then. That picture of Lake Powell was taken on our trip in 2019. thankfully, It did not look much lower this year–probably due to the winter runoff. Nevertheless, it’s still dangerously low. Thanks for checking in. Please stay in touch. Joe
GREAT trip. Always enjoy your sharing your adventures.
Hi, Ginny!
We had a fabulous time, but it’s always good to return to East Tennessee!
Joe you have made my day so much brighter for going along with you and your adventurous lovely wife and, of course, Mortimore ! Reading what you write, seeing the “Wonderful” pictures you share with us just pulls it all together. Thank You.
Good afternoon, Joanne,
Thanks for joining us! It’s always fun to have readers join in on the journey. We had a great trip to the West Coast. We’re home for a while but, it doesn’t take long for the travel bug to bite. Thanks for stopping by, and have a delightful week. Joe
Hi, Joe – That canyon tour looks absolutely amazing and your photos are stunning! Despite it’s often negative reputation, I agree that FOMO can sometimes be a great motivator! <3
Hi, Donna,
I recommend the Canyon Tour highly, and we want to go back to visit the remaining two canyons–I afraid I’m missing something (see what I did there?). Great to hear from you! Joe
Joe, I am SO envious of your Antelope Canyon adventure! Your photos are amazing, as is nature and her artistic endeavors.
Good for Helen-for following through on the tour tickets! Her perseverance is impressive and extraordinary. I hope you won enough at the slots to buy Mortimer some extra dog treats!
Good morning, Mary,
You and Alan would love Antelope Canyon. The formations and the colors are staggeringly beautiful, and it’s a great way to spend an afternoon. Helen is nothing if not persistent, and almost always gets her way with reservations. Mortimer was just happy to spend an afternoon in the trailer and out of the Vegas heat. You should be close to home by now. Stay safe! Joe
Your pictures of the canyon are absolutely stunning! The black and white looks like snow drifts to me. Now I have FOMO! 😁
Hi!
I hadn’t thought about snow drifts, but you’re right. The Canyon tour was a fantastic experience! Don’t let a good FOMO vibe go to waste–head that way as soon as you can! Great to hear from you! Joe
Joe, I’m so glad you and Helen experienced Antelope Canyon! Your photos are beautiful, and really highlight the colors of the canyon. I especially like your photo of emerging from the canyon. Eric and I have been to both upper and lower Antelope Canyon, and loved both!
Good morning, Laurel,
I hope to visit Upper Antelope and Canyon X in the future. Lower Antelope was fascinating, and we were very fortunate to get tickets at the last minute. Thanks for checking in, and have a lovely weekend. Fall colors in your area are not far away–enjoy!
Joe, Stunning photos of Antelope Canyon and the storm clouds. I’d love to visit this canyon. Have a wonderful week ahead!
Natalie,
As someone who loves exploring the outdoors, you should visit the area around Page, AZ. The Canyons are stunning plus, Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks are within driving distance. If you haven’t visited either one, please put them on your bucket list. The trails are a hiker’s dream. Thanks so much for stopping by, and please stay in touch. Joe