Antelope Canyon

John and I have been needing a get away desperately and I have always wanted to go take pictures in Antelope Canyon. We headed up there for a 24 hour get-away. It is a 4 to 4 1/2 our drive so next time we want a few more days to do this and a nicer camera. Antelope Canyon is a favorite spot for photographers but the best time of the year to go is late April to August. The guide that took us today suggested late April or early May because you get great light shafts and the crowds are smaller.

There were several tours being taken through the canyon. One of the tour guides was taking pictures for several in his group so I stopped to see what the cool view was. I had to get in the shadow and squat look up and what appeared was so awesome...do you see the coyote? He also took John's phone/camera and aimed it at the ground and gradually moved it up towards the back of the canyon where the light was and suddenly a bear appeared. I could only see both of these through the camera...it was really cool. In fact a lot of the curves and shapes looked like animals or faces pulling away from the rock. I can see where the Native American can create some of their stories.

This guy was playing an instrument that set the mood for the hike. It is not very clear - he was actually in the shadows and you could not really see him when you walked through, so it made it sound like it was being piped in. It was very serene.

We later headed to Hanging Gardens. This is a well kept secret - it is one of those side roads that have no marker indicating anything cool. It is only a 1/2 mile hike to a small cave-like wall that has greenery hanging and growing from the rock wall. It is kind of magical to see a small garden of green amongst all the reddish sandstone and desert landscape.

These were both taken at Horseshoe Bend. I love stacked rocks. I just think it is so cool. Sandstone always looks so frail it is amazing how strong it truly is.
Horseshoe Bend is beautiful. Unfortunately the water looks really green which makes it look dirty. I don't really have a fear of heights, however I get vertigo whenever I get close to the edge and look down. It gives me a little anxiety. John and I were talking about this trip would be good for the whole family ...until we came to this. Holy Cow I would have a heart attack if there were any little kids not attached to their parents and at least 50 ft from the edge.