Spontaneous road trips are fun!  I spent the past two days sightseeing in and around Page, AZ with two friends and got a few decent pictures to boot.  We decided to check out Lower Antelope Canyon, which is a popular destination for photographers and nature lovers.  The canyon was formed by erosion during flash floods; rushing water and sand carved pathways through the narrow slots, smoothed the sandstone surface, and shaped contours into the rock.  Apparently, Lower Antelope Canyon (“spiral rock arches” in the Navajo language) is less popular than Upper Antelope Canyon (“the place where water runs through rocks”), mainly because the lower canyon has stairs.  The upper canyon is at ground level (flat) and boasts more sunbeams.  I think what we saw in the lower canyon was absolutely beautiful and the stairs were an added bonus (after all, I actually LIKE hiking). Since the canyons are on Navajo land, they require a tour guide for entrance.  Not surprisingly, the tours generate a significant amount of income for the Navajo nation.  We booked our tours through Ken’s Tours and our guide, Ben, was very patient and knowledgeable as he led us through the canyon and suggested different angles for the millions of pictures our tour members took. (Photo 1: pretty detail of the rock; Photo 2: reminds me of an eagle; Photo 3: I see a bear!; Photo 4: “Twin Peaks”.) (Photo 1: “The Lady”; Photo 2: I can see another, less pretty lady on the left…) (Photo 1: can you see an Indian chief?; Photo 2: “Elephant.”) (Photo 1: theoretically, one can see all the way through to the end of the canyon in this picture; Photo 2: casting my shadow over the top of Lower Antelope Canyon!) After our tour of the canyon, we drove a few miles to Horseshoe Bend, another picturesque and oft-photographed spot.  The Colorado River cuts through the rock in a horseshoe shape 1000 feet (300m) below the lookout point. The rest of the evening was spent eating food and just hanging out at our campsite on Lake Powell, a few miles away from Page, AZ.  We slept in the next morning and took our time enjoying a leisurely breakfast before we all braved the refreshing lake water and immersed ourselves in it.  Our drive back was uneventful and filled with good conversation and plenty of junk food.  When’s the next trip?  🙂