Day 18 ~  Page AZ, Points South

JJ

     Did some internet research yesterday regarding the possibilities for photo ops in the area.  Most of them were shut down due to COVID-19 issues.  I already knew that my plan to visit Antelope Canyon wasn’t going to happen due to the high incidence of COVID throughout the Navajo Nation, but I didn’t realize the extent to which other options would be impacted.  I pray for recovery for all affected by the virus, but the restrictions have sure changed my plans.  That said, I decided many years ago that God would be in control of my life, not me.  Can’t wait to see what He has in store!!  

    The hike to Waterholes Canyon is out for the same reason as above.  Even though it is not as easily controlled, it is illegal now to go without a Navajo guide.  I don’t blame them for wanting to control access as many are not aware of the spiritual nature of the area and do not treat it as they would a church.

     So, maybe Zion NP after all, it’s only about an hour away.  However, due to COVID restriction, you now have to have a ticket on the park shuttle in advance, and they are all sold out.  No private vehicles are allowed on the scenic tour, it is by shuttle only.  This may not be the best time to be around large groups of people from all over the world.   Besides, I wouldn’t want to leave Jake in the truck for such a long time.  Scratch Zion, for this trip.  Most of the other tourist attractions are centered around the Glen Canyon Dam, museums and learning centers, all of which are closed to the public for now.  Others require fairly long hikes on trails that do not allow dogs and it is too hot inside the truck to leave Jake in the back for an extended period of time.  

     Horseshoe Bend is high on the list of photographic opportunities and is only a short hike.  The wind is still with us and it is pretty chilly (a high expected of 42) so Jake will be ok in the truck while I walk down, take some photos, and walk back.  I arrived later in the morning than planned, but it wouldn’t have made a difference for the Bend.  Some part of the canyon walls are in shadow except at midday, the worst possible time for photography.  Probably the best shot I got was with my phone.  I had better luck shooting the cloud formations above the canyon.  More research required on how to get the shots I have seen others get - just exactly how did they manage it?

     Since I am headed south, I decided go on to Lee’s Ferry.  There is a possibility that I can get some historical shots.   Nice to get a preview of the road I’ll travel on Thursday heading to Warren’s Deer Camp.  Hmm, some grades, up and down, one place where the view is such that you get the feeling of driving off a cliff (not my favorite kind of road) but it passes quickly and will be fine!  There is an awesome spot where the highway goes through essentially a rock tunnel with no roof where the sides soar several hundred feet above the pavement!  It was further than I thought getting to Lee’s Ferry and my plan didn’t work out, but I found several options for shots of the canyon walls on the way, including a shot of the Vermillion Cliffs, and along the Colorado River at the bottom.                                                                                                                                                                                   SDG

“O Lord, how manifold are your works!  In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”  Psalm 104:24 NIV

Day 19 ~  Page AZ, Points North

JJ

     The plan for today was to drive north and try to find the trailhead for the Wire Pass trail to Buckskin Gulch which was recommended by my AllTrails app as fairly easy, dogs welcome, and only about 3.5 miles.  Wasn’t sure we’d make it all the way to the end, but we would give it a try.  I wasn’t too keen on driving across the Glen Canyon Dam again (my family knows how much I enjoy bridges!) but I managed pulling N’ohana, piece of cake with just the truck.  Didn’t make it that far.  Just before the dam I saw the sign for the Hanging Garden trail.  As I pulled into the parking area to read the marker two vehicles continued past the parking area on a dirt road heading toward the lake.

     Hanging Garden is a 1.2 mile hike, dogs welcome and rated easy.  I thought it would be a good test for how well I could handle Jake, my tripod and camera, and the camera backpack.  Fairly early, NO WIND! for a change so off we went.  It is a very easy hike, right up until the end.  The pool and hanging garden are up a very small rock incline, but it is more than an aging dog without benefit of hiking boots can manage.  However, since it was just the two of us, he was content to sit and wait for me while I got my shots.  He was the best photo-hike partner I’ve ever gone with; he never complained, or got impatient, or even paid any mind.  He just knew that if I started setting up the tripod, he might just as well sit or lie down until I was ready to go again.  Due respect to my other photo-hike partners; they never complained either, but I always felt guilty when they had to stand around and wait for me to get my shots.

     One problem we have
encountered, the ramps I purchased to help load the generator and Jake have not
worked properly.  A couple of weeks ago one
of the ramps locked up at the first joint so that what was a tri-fold ramp has
become a bi-fold ramp and given the space constrictions, that doesn’t work well.  Thus, I have been
lifting Jake in and out of the back of the truck.  I fiddled with it for a while about a week
ago and got it working again but haven’t used them until today.  Jake was wriggling around so much when I got
him out that I decided to use the ramps to get him back in.  Oops, it locked up again.  Darn! 
Maybe while I’m in deer camp Warren can help me figure out what is
causing it so I can prevent it.  They
worked great for the first several days, and I was using them a lot more then
than lately.

     Once back at the truck, I decided to see where the road went.  After about 1/4 mile, it ends in a large parking area complete with restrooms and garbage bins.  Apparently it is a favorite fishing area for the locals.  There is a sort of path going down to a rather abrupt drop-off into Lake Powell.  I didn’t go down, but I did watch a couple coming back up with their fishing gear.  Took some additional shots of the rock formations and decided to head back for lunch.

     Did some additional research, worked with my PhotoPills app, and made a plan for Horseshoe Bend for tomorrow.  Got some additional information from Warren about finding his deer camp and set up the Garmin with the coordinates.  Hopefully, I won’t get lost in the morning.  ^_^                                                                        SDG

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV

Day 20 ~  Page AZ, Preparing for dry camping

JJ

    Today was spent in working on accounting projects, cleaning “house”, doing laundry, and preparing for dry camping for a week at the deer camp.  Make sure the fresh water tank is full,  figure out the best way to get to the dump station since this space is water and electric only.  Purchase additional groceries that might be needed.  With all those accomplished, I have some spare time, so, should I make another try at Horseshoe Bend for sunset photos or try something else.  Drove out to Horseshoe, parking lot is full and overflowing, and the sun will be right in my eyes, so pass on that one.  

     So I decided to give Antelope Point a try, there is a marina and lots of boats and a huge parking lot that was almost completely empty.  I did find a couple of nice vantage points just a little way down from the parking lot that gave me some good compositional opportunities.  It didn’t take very long so, now what?

    Let’s see, yesterday on my way back from Hanging Garden I found an overlook in the middle of a residential area that might have some good opportunities for sunset photos of the rock formations.  I managed to get totally lost in the residential neighborhood and spent some time backtracking before I finally found the overlook.  Of course, I was still there way before sunset and I really needed the sun to be all the way down to get the photos I wanted, so I waited in the truck….  I was not disappointed!