Trip to Page via Grand Canyon

Day 9   April 14, 2015

The day began early for our trip.  We wanted to beat the wind to the road today.  Great theory, but it didn’t quite work.  To start, we had to change our destination since the campground in Page was already full.  We were able to find a campground in Tuba City, which is no joke.  It is a small town in the Northeast section of Arizona, about 70 miles from the Grand Canyon.  We were able to drive about 60 miles from Flagstaff to Winslow before we were accosted by the wind.  It did not gradually start, it came on with gangbusters.  Knowing that we were going to turn north when we reached Flagstaff, which meant we only had to fight the wind for about an hour or so.  Since the RV is just over 13’ in height and 35’ long, it has a lot of surface area for the wind to play with, i.e. sail.  Traveling with the wind was great; I don’t think that I have ever had that to happen to me before.  As we drove into the area around Tuba City, the wind was blowing dust everywhere.  Visibility was not very good but acceptable.  Since the Grand Canyon was so close we decided to go over and take another “look see”. 

Jan and I were very surprised to find the park overflowing with visitors.  Nearly every overlook we visited was very crowded. 

At the visitor’s center, they had to develop a plan for overflow parking.  Since the wind was still very strong we wore some of our heavier coats to stop the wind and keep us warm.  You wouldn’t believe how differently the folks were dressed.  There were lots of short shorts, lots of sandals, many were sleeveless, but two girls beat the cake in their outfits.  They were wearing sundresses that were very flimsy with spaghetti straps. 

One of the dresses was totally backless, not that I would notice.  Goosebumps were everywhere.  At one of the overlooks we met a couple that was getting married (right then).  They asked us to be their witnesses.  As we did our duties, I photographed the ceremony.  I sworn off shooting wedding back in the late 60’s, but this was just fun. 

They stood on the edge of a bluff with the Grand Canyon in the background as the ceremony was preformed.  It was quite pretty. 

We noticed a sign that we never see in Tennessee.

Tomorrow we hope to get to Page.

 

Day 10   April 15, 2015

After an extremely windy night and much anxiousness, we woke up to nearly no wind.  Yea!  Even though we only had to travel less than a hundred miles, wind is one of my biggest enemies.  Since the wind wasn’t battling us, we had a great trip up state to Page (finally).  This is a great little town nestled into some beautiful country. 

Driving down the hill into Page, we could see deep crevasses in the ground formed by the Colorado River, Lake Powell, the Glen Canyon Dam,

and buttes all around. 

After lunch, we drove out to check on the availabilities for us to visit a slot canyon.  From there we went over to Horseshoe Bend, a beautiful 270 degree turn in the Colorado River.  I hope that the picture attached does it a little justice.  A visit to the Glen Canyon Dam was next and the a short hike into some of the red sand.