After being stationary for 7 months it was time to get the wheels rolling. We had a great dinner with the family the night before we left. We will miss them!
One last drive out to San Tan Valley confirming that we have a reservation there for next fall.
I am looking forward to a more low key winter. We have a large space in a rural location and I am hoping to hear cows mooing, horses whinnying, and maybe even a coyote howling instead of sirens and concrete trucks starting work in the early hours. We won't be as close to our family but I think it will be worth the extra drive.
And we will be just a short drive to The Pork Shop. A great butcher shop and amazing green chile pork burritos.
Off we go. It felt good to be back on the road.
Heading toward a destination that has been on my bucket list.
The weather report predicted rain. The clouds seem to agree.
Almost to Page, Arizona. This area is very familiar to us and we always find it full of beauty.
We arrived at the Page Lake Powell RV Park with just enough time for Walt to set up the outside before the rain came. Nice view just outside our door.
The rain didn't last long so I was able to go for a walk around the park. If you have ever wondered what it might have been like to cross the country in a covered wagon you can rent one here.
There's a short nature trail around the park that gives great views of the red rocks.
I have missed these beautiful red rocks. Nice little walk to end a travel day.
One nice thing about being in familiar territory is that you know right away where you want to go for lunch. R.D.'s is it. Green chile cheeseburger and unlimited fry sauce. Then it was time to do a little exploring.
When we were staying in the area several years ago they announced that the Navajo Generating Station power plant was slated to be closed. The jobs and other economic benefits of the facility plays a vital role in the budgets of the tribe and I was glad to see it is still in operation but it sounds like they might be running out of maneuvers that will keep it going.
So beautiful, red rocks with snowy mountains behind.
We wanted to check out Lake Powell so headed for a different marina than we had been to before.
We headed to Antelope Point Marina.
Access to the lake is limited to developed marinas because most of the lake is surrounded by steep sandstone walls.
We were happy to see the water level in the lake was up somewhat this year. According to the news they are expecting that this years runoff from the winters higher than usual precipitation and snowpack should help increase the water level.
Lots of people that visit the area rent houseboats to meander the waterways or to find a secluded spot somewhere in the canyons to set up camp.
Where there is a will there is a way!. Somehow this little guy got enough water to hang in there to blossom.
Then it was on to a place we had been to before a few years ago and at that time you parked in the red dirt, hiked through the sand, and viewed the astounding sight with nothing between you and the 1000 foot drop to the bottom. Plus there were very few others there seeing the magnificent sight along with you.
Now you pay $10 to park in a paved parking lot. That lot is lost in the exhaust fumes of the tour buses, party vans and SUVs that choke an area never meant to hold so much glass and steel. Each day they disgorge thousands of visitors, many from China and Germany and France and Japan. Then you walk up a much improved trail along with a huge crowd of people. I have to share what I overheard on the trail. Keep in mind that much of the trail has patches of slick rock which I guess could be mistaken for paving. A bejeweled, designer dressed 40's something woman said " This trail used to be paved. Why didn't they repair it instead of throwing all this sand and rock on it?"
Once you reach the end there is wonderful fencing that keeps you safe. On my last visit I couldn't bring myself close enough to the edge to get a photo of the full arc. Now here I am leaning over to get the full experience.
There it is HORSESHOE BEND.
The emerald green Colorado River lies below unaware of the throng of people above.
Social media is the explanation for the explosion of visitors.
Absolutely stunning.
The day was pretty warm so the water below looked really inviting.
Even more extraordinary than the first time I was here because I could get right to the edge but I can say I do miss the solitude. Yes, that is a water bottle laying on the sand below the fence. I was SO sad to see the mess that people were leaving.
You can still get to the edge on each side of the fence and there were plenty of daredevils. Amazingly I think there have only been a couple of deaths here in the last 10 years.
How fortunate I am to spend time at a place that is in jeopardy of being loved to death.