Saturday, April 30, 2016

Red Dirt and Heather Clouds

April 29 - 30, 2016
Page, Arizona

Driving north beside the Echo Cliffs on AZ 89 is a beautiful drive. Climbing the cliff face just north of Bitter Springs, the panoramic views to the west are breathtaking. Northbound lanes hug the side, allowing me to take peeks of the vista while not hyperventilating or peeing my pants. We will return to see the Vermillion Cliffs while we're here.

Page, AZ, is a pretty little town along the southwest corner of Lake Powell. Our new home, Page Lake Powell RV Park, is on the out skirts, tucked into red slick rock mounds.


View from our front window when we arrive
Sites are a decent size, gravel, and a few medium trees. FHUs with 50 amp and cable, with a nice picnic table. No fire rings. There are a some long-term residents but most are very neat. Small store at the office, laundry and bath house, an arcade, and short nature trail along the slick rock. 

We're expecting rain for the weekend so we drive over the river to a small dirt road above Glen Canyon Dam while we still have a little sunshine.

Yucca are starting to bloom
Muffin top
Mini arch
Here it comes!
It rains very little over night and the skies are dark and gray Saturday morning. Time to restock the larder and return a package to Amazon. Very nice Safeway in town - and the only grocery store.

We don't have enough time to see everything here even without the rainy weather, so we head out around 11:00 to check out this small piece of the very large Lake Powell.

It is a more subtle landscape under heather-colored skies, but still stunning.


Tower Butte
Wahweap Marina
Glen Canyon Dam
and magical monuments in the distance
My last, and only, visit to Lake Powell (the north side) it was storming as well. Mid June, it rained, the wind blew the whole three days - and we were out on the lake on Seadoos. It was miserable, so I'm happy we have no plans to be on the water this time - and that there is little rain or wind from the solid clouds overhead.

Rivers End Cafe serves a delicious light lunch inside the Colorado River Discovery outfitters store. Across the street Tessa does zoomies on the lawn of the large city park. No pics, she's moving too fast :-)

While it isn't raining or too windy, it is still chilly. Too chilly to be riding in one of the dozens of open-sided tour trucks we see all over the area. They are filled with tourists in parkas, hats and scarves. Nope.

If the weather clears we want to see Antelope Canyon, in the meantime we head out to Antelope Point. 

There is red dirt as far as we can see - which is a very long way. I love it. The whole area speaks to me in ancient voices. I'm immediately sorry I didn't give us more time here. There will definitely be a next visit!

Fluffy feet on the slick rock
Antelope Point
Smishy, swirly shoreline
Rock hound heaven
Frothy rock
More layers
Nice having the place to ourselves
When we get home it smells wonderful! Apple cinnamon pork tenderloin in the crock pot has been cooking all day. Together with wild rice and gingered carrots, it's a tasty ending to a lovely day.

There's still rain in the forecast for tomorrow so we'll see what we get up to :-)))


20 comments:

  1. Your Antelope point pictures are besuyiful. Sure hope you get to the canyon. It's way high on my bucjet list. But no lake Powell for me, moral and environmental objections

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    1. While we were looking over the areas where the water has receded in the lake we talked about the acres and acres of history and beauty buried for decades. It is beyond sad. Our fingers are crossed for the canyon on Monday when the sun is supposed to return.

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  2. Your Antelope point pictures are besuyiful. Sure hope you get to the canyon. It's way high on my bucjet list. But no lake Powell for me, moral and environmental objections

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  3. Absolutely gorgeous pictures. Clouds add a lot to landscapes. I'd certainly like to check out Lake Powell. We've talked about visiting but haven't yet. So beautiful.

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    1. Thanks Jeri :-) I wasn't expecting the huge variety of cliffs and canyons here, give yourself plenty of time when you come.

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  4. It is a beautiful area isn't it:) So sorry you had dark skies. One day you will visit in the sunshine:) White dog + red dirt doesn't go very well together, but Tessa is doing a good job staying white. Dinner sounds wonderful!!! I really do have to do more than just think about getting a crock pot. I've been thinking for six years!

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    1. Yes, we are in love with Page :-) Fortunately she has avoided red mud so far. Get a quality one when you do - our little Crock Pot brand one is fine but heats up the rig like an oven would. Not bad in these colder temps, but it wasn't great in Laughlin :-)) You'll use it for sure.

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  5. Okay, first things first. Your dinner sounds delicious!! What a beautiful afternoon you had exploring -- those red rock formations against the silvery clouds are just gorgeous. We'll be there in a few weeks and are hoping for good weather. Cute, cute photos of Tessa on the slick rock.

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    1. Should be perfect weather, sorry we're missing you! Tessa has such a great time climbing around the low mounds and shelves.

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  6. Nice contrast with the clouds and cute dog. You are making the most of your travels.

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    1. We're sure trying to see as much as we can in each area, and yet there's always more!

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  7. We stayed at that park too. Enjoyed it except the male staff. Loved Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend and Lees Ferry. Hope the weather clears for you. Hurley and I loved climbing all over those rocks just over the park boundary too! Dinner sounded great!

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    1. Hoping for the canyon and bend tomorrow - Lees Ferry today was amazing!!

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  8. We just pulled into Page-Lake Powell Campground today, site 20, spending a few days here. Doing an Upper Antelope tour on Tuesday morning, sure hope the weather cooperates.

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    1. Oh how fun! If you're around home tomorrow afternoon maybe we can stop by and say howdy :D

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  9. Page/Lake Powell is on our list...Tessa is so cute!
    I couldn't function without my crockpot...especially on those rainy, chilly days. Your dinner sounds yummy!,

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    1. You'll love it. So much beauty in every direction. Wahweap is a beautiful campground near the water, and this one is great near town. Yep, love that crockpot!!

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  10. I love the photos... It's amazing to see the different tones and lines in the ground. I can imagine the history just under your feet. I love my crockpot! Best invention that ever came out lol.

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    1. To think of all the moccasins, boots and hooves that made their mark here is humbling to say the least.

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  11. I've never been that keen on the town of Page but do love the surrounding landscapes. Hope you got to see Antelope Canyon.

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