Red Rocks and Animal Spirits (Page, AZ)
“If you look closely you can see the bear’s mouth” pointed our young guide. I squinted and did my best to make out the shape in the red rock. You see, we were taking a tour of Antelope Canyon in Page, AZ and according to the local indians, the rocks are alive with animals.
Although the shape didn’t exactly jump out this concept was not new to me. In fact, it reminded me of an incident several years back…well, let’s just say many several years back, in the budding youth of my college years. A few friends and I had taken a primitive backpacking trip in Nevada and we had fortified our sustenance with beer and, shall we say, unusual fungi. After the evening meal, much of which involved the two aforementioned items, I hiked solo up onto the mountain face and sat down to absorb my surroundings. In the midst of mountains and nature, I was suddenly barraged by animals seeming to come out of the rock-face. So, I connected, if you will, to the mountain spirits.
Despite the lack of enhancing supplies in my current situation, I could easily see how the spirit of animals would abound in a place like this too. There is, indeed, something awe-inspiring and spiritual about red rock. The massive faces loom majestically in the landscape and reflect the forces of millions of years of history that have gorged their mark into the landscape causing both deep chasms and delicate patterns on their faces. They stand unmoving and strong, yet ever-changing in the light from fiery red in the early morning to shades of ochre by noon and purple hues in the evening.
So far, first impressions of this area are breath-taking. I’ll let you know if I see more animals…
STUNNING Antelope Canyon…that is gallery worthy!!
Thank you 🙂 It was gorgeous there
Beautiful photos, but even an I-phone can take great photos there. One of my favorite places in the world.
Nan
So true. I am spoilt for choice with photo ops here. We’re definitely loving it, but I think Polly misses the forest 🙂
Nina and Paul, I can so appreciate your descriptions of the beauty and every-changing appearance of the red rocks in this area. On my cross-country bicycle trip I’m seeing many of the same sights. One that stood out is the Tsegi Canyon on route 160 10 miles west of Kayenta AZ. So much to appreciate. Lauren
So true. I’m sure you have an even more acute appreciation of the nature given the slower pace on your bike. We often think of you when we’re driving round, and try to imagine how you saw it when you were coming through this area. This is beautiful country!
We stayed at Mission Bay RV Resort January and February 2015!!!
Loved it!
Did you experience Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon in 2010?? What
Guide company did you go with?
Thanks So Much
Jeanie
We went to Upper. I can’t recall the tour company we used, but I do remember the tour being really crowded. If I go back I will spend the extra $$ and join one of the noontime photography tours. Less people and more relaxed pace, plus at noon you get those amazing light rays that come through the slots. Enjoy! It’s such an amazing canyon!
Nina
I too see animal spirits in the rocks and mountains