An aMayzing Day

May 1, 2016
Page, AZ

Although the weather shows no sign of improving on Sunday, we head out for the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, south of Page.

Going back down the side of the Echo Cliffs, the views of the cliffs and the river-carved canyons below begin a day full of OMGs!

Hwy 89 drops into the valley below through this narrow cut,

and looks out across this inspiring vista. Later we will be around the other side of those clifs

Hwy 89A takes us across the Colorado Plateau, where the Echo Cliffs curve south and the Vermillion Cliffs continue for miles.

West end of the Echo Cliffs

North end of the Vermillion Cliffs

We cross the Colorado River at the Navajo Bridge. There is an interpretive center here, and a foot bridge over the water. We continue on, planning to stop on the way back if there's time.

Not far from the river canyon stand these natural centinels

While vermillion is the dominate color, there are rich blues as well

Having gotten a later start we're ready for lunch when we find the Lees Ferry Lodge in the little burg of Vermillion Cliffs. A very rustic and quaint eatery and local gathering place, the food is good and the staff very friendly. They're hiring, and include housing and utilities :-)

Lees Ferry Lodge, Hwy 89A

A very sweet location

Wind-proof door mat

The only other "civilization" is Cliff Dwellers, where there are approximately a dozen homes, a small store with gas station, a garage and a four-star restaurant and lodge.  Just before the little community is the site of rock houses - in the rocks, with rock walls. Unfortunately there is no information on these interesting ruins. 

Vermillion Cliffs ruins

Didn't see it until I uploaded the photos.....

What came first....the house or the rock....

Natural landscaping

with balancing rocks and beautiful views

Turning a rock into a home with rocks

Cozy

Information plaque written in disappearing ink

The vast plateau is as beautiful as the colorful cliffs. Sage green carpet goes on for miles. Although it's Sunday, there are almost no other people here. Each time we stop to take photos or read about the area or watch for condors, we have the place to ourselves. The overcast skies and the perfect quiet make for a most enchanting day. 

The viewpoint is laid out like a medicine wheel

East 

West 

South

North

Condor Viewing Area

While I only capture evidence in the camera, Bill sees a Condor in flight with the binoculars 

Not a Condor

The sun comes out as we turn around to head back

We make a quick stop to play among more balancing rocks.

As if the cliffs haven't been enough this first day of May, we take the short drive out to Lees Ferry and enjoy even more amazingness!! The small campground will accommodate a few bigger RVs, has flush toilets, no hook ups, dump station. 

An outfitters group is setting up for an early morning launch - 13 days to Lake Mead in large rafts. What a great trip. Fortunately the weather is supposed to be perfect for the next two weeks.

Lees Ferry

They're going to have so much fun!

The sinking sun turns the red to orange

and the blue to purple

Favorite view of the day

Still more balancing rocks

Two-headed dinosaur robot

Where the brown Paria River joins the dark blue Colorado

It's after 5:00 when we get back to the visitors center at Navajo Bridge so we keep going. I'm so glad we took a chance on a cloudy day to see this wondrous place. 

We had hoped to see Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend on Monday before making our way into Utah on Tuesday. However, none of that happens.

Everything is fine, and we're grateful that our home is mobile and our plans are written in Jello.