Arizona // Grand Canyon & Antelope Canyon
In late April, after a few days of eating, drinking and partying in Las Vegas during Phil’s bachelor party, four of us took the most logical next step. Phil, Sean, Vinny and I packed into a rented a Kia Optima car and drove to Arizona to experience some of the natural wonders of the American Southwest.
Grand Canyon
The trip began with a hike along the South Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park. We hiked down from the rim, turning around at Cedar Ridge.
The singular beauty of the place was breathtaking even though I had already seen the Grand Canyon more than 10 years earlier.
On our way down the South Kaibab Trail
The view from Cedar Ridge
I think that trips are defined not by the geographical journey one takes, but by his companions. While a trip with my family can feel mostly relaxing, but sometimes stressful (because of inevitable quarrels), trips with friends feel more adventurous. I don’t feel the familiar comfort of knowing that I’m traveling with my parents, two people who have seen far more and far wider than I ever have.
Self portrait on Sean’s sunglasses
Vinny jumped between cliffs
Vinny also did some climbing
As we were walking to one of the viewpoints near the visitors center, we saw this group of people being led to it with paper bags on their heads. What a surprise it must have been when they removed their bags and began to take in their surroundings.
A surprise view
I want an expedition vehicle like this one day
Horseshoe Bend
Our second stop along the way was Horseshoe Bend, or shall I call it gnat bend. We couldn’t fully enjoy it because of the swarms of gnats that were everywhere.
Quick challenge: how many gnats can you count in the photo below?
swarms of gnats
Sean comforts Vinny
Phil is not pleased
Soaking in the views and the gnats
Antelope Canyon
Antelope Canyon had to be the highlight of the trip. You have certainly seen photos of it before. One even sold for 6.5 million dollars.
Antelope Canyon is a name given to two sections of canyon carved by a tributary of Lake Powell. Lower Antelope Canyon is known for its colors and rock formations. Even though it isn’t as popular as Upper Antelope Canyon, I would still suggest signing up for a tour well in advance.
Our ride, the Kia Optima in front of the Navajo Generating Station
Lower Antelope Canyon is accessed by staircases
We took a lot of photos
On the left, our tour guide points out some interesting formations
Upper Antelope Canyon is much more popular since it is flat throughout (not requiring any stairs or climbing to traverse it) and features beautiful shafts of light during mid-day. It’s not as easily accessible as Lower, requiring a truck to take you there from town. Definitely do your research before going. Light beams are only seen during a small window of time during the day.
We saw the Hoover Dam and a few other smaller attractions along the way. I did however take the cheesy photo below. It’s my favorite iPhone game, Monument Valley, in front of Monument Valley.
Monument Valley in front of Monument Valley
