We left the beautiful sand dunes of Colorado, and headed westward towards a city called Page, in Arizona. Our real destination was a campground in Wahweap bay, just off Page, and situated inside the Glen-Canyon national park.
While crossing Utah (the route takes you first through Utah, and then onto Arizona), the scene started to change quite dramatically. First the hills and forests gave way to large open fields which then turned into barren land and eventually into red rocks and canyons. As the sun set, we were driving through red Indian reservation areas of arid, desert lands, and tall canyons. No vegetation, no animals and no humans in sight for dozens of miles. The loneliness of this part of the country was eerie. The harsh landscape really felt unearthly, as if we had landed on the moon or on mars.
Heading west from southern Colorado toward Arizona
We reached the Wahweap bay campground past dinner, and quickly went about setting up our tent. Amazingly and thankfully, we were able to shower there (timed at $2 for 15 minutes of water!).
The weather was pleasant at night, but quite windy. We’d underestimated the wind and upon returning from a walk, found our fully setup tent a good 100 feet away from where we left it!
One beautiful morning at Lake Powell, Wahweap bay [Arizona] – a scene of immense calm and grandeur.
Wahweap bay, Arizona
On our way to the Rainbow bridge
Lake Powell happens to be a huge reservoir on the Colorado River, straddling the border between Utah and Arizona (most of it, along with Rainbow Bridge, is in Utah). It is the second largest man-made reservoir in the United States.
The magic of light – in B/W
Sandstone walls surrounding Lake Powell
The docking area on lake Powell near Rainbow Bridge national monument, Arizona
Early lessons in adventure – Exploring the great national parks of America, on our way to the Rainbow Bridge. [Silhouette of a family walking to see the Rainbow bridge in Arizona ]
Rainbow bridge basics
Us at the Rainbow bridge
Getting ready to leave – waiting for the last few people on our boat.
Departing from the Rainbow Bridge
After the day was almost over, and right before sunset, we headed to a place a half-hour away called the “Horseshoe-bend”.
A short drive to the “Horseshoe-bend”
Vegetation near the Horseshoe bend, Arizona
Here the Colorado river makes a dramatic turn which can be seen from over a cliff which is more than 1,000 feet over the river. (To put this in context – the Eiffel tower is about t 980 feet above ground, so this feels as if one were standing at that height above the Colorado! – just magnificent.)
We were there until there was almost no light in the sky. It was very windy, and there were raging dust gusts every few minutes. There was no chance of being able to make the tripod stand !
It was really beautiful – and very windy. At several points that evening, while climbing slippery rocks, we felt we could well be blown away – and not just by the beauty.
We were there until there was almost no light in the sky. It was very windy, and there were raging dust gusts every few minutes. There was no chance of being able to make the tripod stand !
We returned to the comfort of our tent after a long day out, soaking in moments that have stayed with us to this day.
Other parts of this road-trip
- 1. Heading to the Sand dunes of Colorado
- 2. Lake Powell, Rainbow Bridge and the Colorado’s horseshoe bend
- 3. The incredible secret canyons of Arizona – Passage, Staircase and Secret canyon
- 4. Visiting Canyonlands and Arches national park
- 5. Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks
