Tag 8: Page

Plans are there to be changed. Yesterday we received the news that our planned tour through the Antelope Canyon had been cancelled because it was not possible to enter the canyon due to rainfall. This made our day more relaxed. First we left our campsite and drove east. The landscape changed relatively quickly from forest areas to deserts and steppe-like landscapes. The sand turned red with small bushes. After 20 minutes we reached the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, a high plateau with a desert climate. We drove parallel to it and enjoyed the vastness of the surroundings. We stopped a few times and looked at dwellings carved into stone. A gray fox scurried past briefly in the distance. Unfortunately I couldn't take a picture of it. Afterwards we visited the Navajo Bridge Interpretive Center, where we learned that the Colorado River used to be crossed by boats. There are now two bridges here. California condors are said to be frequently seen there. We searched everywhere, but initially without success. It is amazing that these animals have a wingspan of up to 3 meters and even survived the Ice Age. In the 1980s there were only 27 animals left on earth, and due to humans the species was on the verge of extinction. Intensive breeding programs have succeeded in increasing the population again. We cross the bridge and see one of these huge birds for a brief moment. Unfortunately again without the opportunity to take a photo. Then we go to Horseshoe Bend. Here you can see the Colorado River, which meanders like a horseshoe. We were here 12 years ago, but now you have to pay an entrance fee. 10 dollars per car, but now there are decent parking spaces, toilets and a paved path. We walk the kilometer to the cliff in 35°C and get the great view. There is a railing in places, but you can also stand on the edge without a barrier. After a short time we walk back, enjoy lunch and then go shopping and fill up with gas. In 1966 the Glen Dam, a 220 meter high dam, was built in Page to generate electricity. We visit the visitor center. The kids get their 4 Junior Park Ranger badges, but David shows little interest. He prefers to play with the interactive exhibition. But nobody takes that too seriously here. Now it's time to relax. We look for a place to swim near the campsite and jump into the cool water. Walmart has large swimming rings on offer for $5, so we take two for the kids. We relax and enjoy the weather. We reach the campsite around 6 p.m. We fire up the grill and then grill marshmallows, which Erik has been waiting for the whole time. Unfortunately, campfires are not allowed yet. Now we have to use the grill.