On the way to the Grand Canyon, we stopped for a couple of nights in Page, Arizona. There is a beautiful campground nearby in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and this is where we chose to stay. The landscaping was desert, including all the requisite birds and mammals, and the view was stunningly, starkly beautiful. Lake Powell is a man-made lake at the northern end of the Colorado River, several miles before the river reaches the Grand Canyon. The rock formations created by the lake are as if from another world:
I felt as if I were facing the great pyramids and sphinxes of Egypt, although these formations were created by nature. The sun and clouds added to the supernatural eeriness of the place. The sublime starkness was visually stunning:
Although not quite as stunning, the Lake Powell Dam is very interesting, and the visitor center gives the history of the area and dam. This dam is not nearly as big as Hoover Dam, which blocks the lower end of the Colorado River below the Grand Canyon, but is still a great achievement for its day. It supplies power and water to a large portion of the region, and prevents downstream flooding:
This bridge passes next to the dam, with the Colorado River below:
The reflection of the canyon walls in the Colorado River:
This was the view to the east. We watched the sun set as we ate dinner at the local bar and grill. Awesome!
I had set aside a full day here to see Antelope Canyon nearby. Unfortunately it rained most of that day, and if you know anything about the desert it is that you do not venture into canyons when it rains, due to the possibility of flash floods. Many people have lost their lives this way. So, we obviously have to come back again some day!! Another of many places to which we must return.
