Sunday, May 7, 2017--Page, AZ to Orem, Utah--355 miles

     We left our Page, AZ motel at 7:45 New Mexico and Utah time (6:45 local Arizona time). We did not change our watches to Arizona time after leaving New Mexico.  

     It was a sunny 60 degrees. Immediately we saw the bridge over the Colorado River beside Glen Canyon Dam and soon went over it.

     We had a glimpse of the top of the dam and the beginning of Lake Powell and then Lake Powell.

     I imagined I was seeing castles in the distance.

     More castles and into Utah

     The edge of the Grand Staircase Escalante N. Monument

     A rare flowing river and changing textures

     Changing colors

     Ups and downs. Our elevations changed from 6000 to 8000 feet today and back down to 5000 here in Orem

     A steady job

     Even a glimpse of Bryce Canyon-type geology

     A Brewer's Blackbird was the bird of the day and we finally made it to a freeway again . . .

. . . and stately mountains

    Our home away from home for the evening--another La Quinta.  Sofie is happy and so are we--355 miles closer to home.

Today Our Eyes Were On

Every possible geological formation, vegetative habitat, and natural landscape coloration.

Our Eyes Are Full!

Saturday, May 6, 2017--Flagstaff, AZ to Page, AZ--133 miles

     Paul woke with a headache and stiff neck from all the driving yesterday, and the days before. We slept in and moved slowly. The temperature was about 55 degrees when we left at 10 am after refueling the van. He was feeling better after 2 advil and breakfast.
     We headed north on Hwy 89, listed as a "scenic" highway, which means slow and often busy with no rest areas or highway shoulders. And it is the week-end so more people are heading for all the national parks, Lake Powell for boating and available camping sites and motels. 

     The mountains were beautiful as we left Flagstaff. This is a main road to the Grand Canyon north and south rims, so traffic was a somewhat heavy and fast. We soon left the pine forest and the divided highway behind and then even the junipers disappeared.

     We could see the beginnings of canyon country

 and Navajo country with jewelry and pottery shops along the road and many hogans.

     The landscapes changed at a dizzying speed. This was almost like a moonscape. We had a side wind the whole way.

     More painted hills

     Big Sky and Red Rock country (we love it)

     Finally we could see where we begin to drop down into Page, AZ and Lake Powell

     We found a motel at about 2 pm and, with the week-end crowds, were grateful for it. We had hoped to go farther today, but with our late start and "scenic" road decided to stay put. The next place where we could stay overnight is about 160 miles. We will aim for that tomorrow--St. George, Utah. Then we will once again be on freeways, and on weekdays so will make more miles in a day. 

     As we drove into Page, we noticed the parking lot for the Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River. Four years ago we visited it and we had only a handful of other visitors in the parking lot. Today more than a hundred RV's and cars were packed like sardines! 

     With all the national parks within such a compact area, it is really difficult to find a route home that is not "scenic". Meanwhile, we are glad for a chance to hunker and rest, and we are enjoying the stunning scenery.

     We had an exceptionally delicious dinner tonite and did not have to venture out into the very, very strong wind. Days ago we had purchased Hormel cooked roast pork, tortillas, fresh salsa and guacamole, storing it in our van fridge. Tonite we made delicious burritos out of it and microwaved them in our room. 

     We topped it off with half of a pint of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Fudge Ice Cream eaten out of the carton. I put the last half in the van freezer and had to sacrifice a few green peas and some corn to fit it into the space. It is all a matter of priorities! Ice cream 3 days in a row! Ed and Blythe, it is all your fault. You put the idea in our heads.

Today Our Eyes Were On

A kaleidoscopic change of geology, colors and scenery

Moving steadily northward