We started day 3 off by sleeping in a little and doing a local Kanab hike. This one didn't have a sign or even really a trail. You just have to figure out a way to the top of the bluff and you'll find a few dino prints. It was pretty fun!
We spent quite a bit of time up there on top of the bluff, wandering around and just taking in the pretty view. It was nice that we had the place to ourselves until we were on our way back down.
The dino prints is close to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. We decided to check it out and drive through the pretty canyon. First we went in the gift shop and you guys got to play with the kitties for a few minutes, then we drove through and made just a few quick stops:
Then since we were in Kanab we were able to go back to the cabin to make lunches, which was super nice. Then off we went to find the free movie museum. There were quite a few sets from old western movies. They were fun to see, but it didn't take us too long. Luckily it was a free museum:
At this point we could have done another hike, or some park time, or checked out the reservoir but we found some info about a national monument that wasn't too far over the border in Arizona. We decided to check that out instead and we loved it. It is called Pipe Spring. There was as visitor center with a movie to explain about the fort and the struggles that happened here between pioneers and Indians, and then you could also explore the fort and the grounds:
The pioneers built the fort right over the spring, which kept the whole things cool and gave them running water. It made problems with the Indians though who also needed the water for their livelihood. This place is in the middle of a great big desert. It was warm when we were there even in March, so it's not hard to imagine how important the Spring would have been:
After this it was two quick stops and then dinner. I wanted to see a pretty old house. We didn't do the tour of the inside where they tell you about the polygamists that first lived here.
And some time on the toys at the park. The wind was starting to pick up and one boy wasn't in a good mood, so we didn't stay too long:
The next morning it was so windy and cold, but we headed out early because we had a long road trip ahead of us. First up was a hiked called the Nautilus. Google maps took us to the wrong spot for the trailhead, but we did find lots of parking for our caravan. It was about half mile back up the road so we all piled in Uncle Kent's Dad's truck to get up to the real trailhead. We were all so cold!:
We figured out which wash to walk up and then we found the rock formation. It kind of looks like the inside of a shell, hence the name Nautilus. It was pretty neat, and not crowded!:
Just down the road is the area called Toadstool Hoodoos. It was a fun little hike to get back in the area and I was amazed at how unique the area was. It looks like another world! I wouldn't be surprised if this has been the setting for films. There were a lot less hoodoos than I thought there would be, but we spent quite a bit of time letting the kids climb and slide and run around. Even the trail to get to the hoodoos was cool:
First some pics by Lu:
Now back to me. Here is where the kids found a rock slide:
This was a super tall cathedral like room:
This one looks like a white face:
Really cool spot.
Then we drove over toward Page Arizona. We had never been to Lake Powel before. We stopped at an overlook:
Then went to an area called The Chains, where we just scrambled down the rocks to get to the water. You guys had so much fun throwing rocks in. The water was freeeeezing:
See the dam back there?
The parking lot was also a good place for a picnic lunch because there were dumpsters and bathrooms here too.
We had to stop at Walmart next to get Lulu new shoes and we found some sweet deals on candies for our car ride.
After that it was the dam overlook, which was a pretty neat spot. I especially loved the Native American playing his flute. It really added to the ambiance:
The really crowded Horseshoe Bend was next, but it was worth the crowds to experience this. The depth and grandeur is really hard to appreciate in pictures:
Those white specks are boats down on the river and there is a camp on the beach on the left side. It was pretty amazing to see how tiny they were, it helped put the 1000 foot drop into perspective.
At this point our cousins were done so they went back to Kanab the same way we had already come, but our family went down to touch the Colorado River. It was worth the effort, the road was fantastic. After we went through some curving canyon roads we made it to the Indian reservation, which was also beautiful in it's own way. There wasn't a lot here:
We crossed Navajo bridge and were surprised to find a Visitor Center. We did another Junior Ranger badge and got stamps in our books! We also got to walk part way across the bridge that crosses the Colorado River.
You can see we're still a little ways above the river but we have come down so far from Horseshoe Bend. We drove a little more and made it to Paria Beach. This is actually part of the Grand Canyon here, to protect the land that follows the river. This was another of my favorite spots of the trip. The beauty was breathtaking:
I would have liked to stay even longer here, but we still had a long road ahead of us and it was getting later. We made one last random stop on Highway 89A called Cliff Dweller. The giant boulders were pretty interesting!
We drove past giant red cliffs of Vermillion Cliffs, up into a forest, and back down through Fredonia Arizona. It was a nice drive, but we were hungry when we got back! Thanks to Grammie for buying us dinner that night:
We packed a lot in this trip huh? I guess we always do! It's my specialty. We had a fun trip. Thanks for adventuring with me!
Love,
Mom
What a fun weekend huh?
