Monument Valley at Sunrise is just the Beginning!

5:30 AM never feels great when the alarm goes off.  The struggle to get up and moving is only balanced by the promise of adventure in the sky.  Motivation is gathered from anticipation ... of beautiful colors, glorious silhouettes and photos to remember it by.

Mark and I had a plan.  Wheels up by 6 AM at Page would put us at Monument Valley right around sunrise at 6:30 AM.  We had seen where Monument Valley was in relation to Kalenta Airport and flew in the general direction needed.  Both of us figuring that the iconic rock formations would be pretty obvious as we got closer.  And they were.

Right on schedule, N303B and the first rays of sun arrived at Monument Valley simultaneously.
Stunning!  We took turns flying and shooting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the day wasn't over yet.  We refueled with breakfast back at the Best Western, taking particular pride in our waffle expertise, then took some time out to organize pictures.  The sleepiness of the early rise had not yet caught up... Or perhaps it was that we were excited about the next event.  

We were picked up 10 minutes late.  At 1:10 PM the truck roared into the parking lot.  After climbing into the back and seating ourselves on the bench seat next to some German tourists, we buckled up.  One seat belt per two people!  I wondered if we really even needed a seat belt... until our Navajo guide and driver left the main road and proceeded to fly down a sandy river bed.  Dust filled the air and our lungs.  We bounced up and down, restrained thank goodness, by the seat belt built for two.

Shortly thereafter, we arrived at what can only be described as "the end of the road" - the place where the the river bed, at times 75 feet wide, became just 3 feet wide and entered the Upper Antelope (slot) Canyon.  There were a half a dozen other vehicles already here.

Entering the slot canyon

And in we went.  

Our guide was an expert in her field.  With all the stories and history the Navajo people have to offer, she herded the 6 of us inside.  Every so often stopping to show us what would make a great photograph, giving us camera-specific advice and pointing out shapes and shadows with their respective Navajo names.  Some of the shapes were only recognizable when viewed as photographs!

"The Heart"

"The Bear"

"Monument Valley"

As beautiful as I thought this canyon tour was, apparently the best time to visit is when the sun is directly overhead.  Midday, middle of summer.  At this time the tour is famous for the "beam of light" that reaches the sandy floor of the canyon.

Like any place that narrows to little more than a shoulder width, there are rules that make it possible for multiple groups to visit at the same time.  Its a one-way photo tour.  On the way through there are plenty of opportunities to stop and photograph.

At the end of the canyon our guide took out her musical pipe and played for us.  Sweet traditional Navajo melodies played on a rock, in the sun.

On the way back, its a non-stop walk, with reminders to be respectful of the people who are on the photography leg of their tour.

Antelope Canyon, located in Navajo Nation, is magical place.  I would go back.... In fact, lower Antelope Canyon still calls, so I guess I will be back!