October 3. 2021

Lower Antelope Canyon

Antelope Point RV Park Page, Arizona

My morning walk took me down to the marina and by the edge of the lake. 

We ate our breakfast outside.  The view so lovely and the weather so pleasant!

Tim tried to watch the Talladega NASCAR race that is now scheduled for tomorrow because of rain.  Then he watched the Red Zone…lots of football.  I cleaned the bathroom and did all the laundry and took care of lots of little things.

At 2:15, we left to go to our Lower Antelope Canyon tour.  I was disappointed that we couldn’t see the Upper Canyon.  All the tours were sold out.  I found the Lower Canyon tours and because they cost less and had several openings, I was convinced that we were probably getting a second-rate tour…that was absolutely not the case.  This canyon is on Navajo Tribal land.  You cannot go see the canyon unless you pay the fees and are escorted by a guide.  We were not sure what to expect but Ken’s Tours was a first-class operation from start to finish.   You cannot be on Navajo land without a mask…inside or out…makes no difference…no mask…no tour!  We happily complied and completed our COVID screening.  We were called for our tour and followed Will, our guide into the Earth.  We descended 6 flights of steep stairs into the canyon.

This was one of the most stunning places I have ever been.  We took so many pictures trying to capture the beauty of this place.  The sandstone has been carved by flashfloods that sweep sand and water through the slot canyon, creating the shape and texture of these rock formations.  This carving and etching has happened over thousands of years.  In 2013, a flashflood swept through taking all of the stairs and ladders and leaving the canyon 15 feet deeper.  The water had filled the canyon all the way to the top.

There are no words that are adequate to explain…just look at these pictures and feel the awe…

The crevice that we climbed out of…back to the surface.

A raven’s nest on the ledge.

The Navajo name for Lower Antelope Canyon is Hazdistazi or “spiral rock arches.”

Being here was an incredible experience.