Day 13 – Independence Day in Page, AZ

Hooray! My first Independence day in the USA – I was looking forward to the fireworks display. And I was not disappointed.

Started the day in very slow fashion. We slept in and decided that we wouldn't do anything but visiting Antelope Canyon, swim in Lake Powell and watch the fireworks.

Now I can say "mission accomplished".

1. Antelope Canyon: The Canyon is on Navajo land which means that anybody (who is not Navajo) has to pay USD6 for just entering the territory. We then decided to visit the lower canyon because it is only $20 (compared to $25 for the Upper Antelope Canyon) and because it is supposed to be less crowded. This place is marvelous. The canyon is about 3 feet wide and up to 90 feet deep. The light reflections on the sandstone are spectacular. Check out the photos. No words to describe it.
   
2. Swimming in Lake Powell is quite easily done. Drive to Antelope Point, park your SUV on an oversized parking lot which is dominated by oversized Tahoes, Escalades, Rams and Silverados, all with boat trailers of course – and feel like parking a matchbox car in a showroom. From there it is just a short 400 yards hike to the shore and then you have to master the last few steps bare foot (yes, it burns like 911 Buffalo Wing sauce). But the cool water is rewarding. So far so good. When Melanie and I got out, we were surrounded by a swarm of mosquitoes. Not funny. I had about 40 (!) sitting on my legs. Before I concluded counting I jumped back in (which Melanie did way before me). Lesson learned: Lake Powell is great for swimming, but not a place to bask in the sun.
   
3. We booked a cruise to see the fireworks from the lake. The cruise itself was a flop, but the fireworks were very impressive. They went for about 45 minutes (mind you, Page has 5,000 people) and were huge. Very nice.
   

So much for our chill out day!

Will be back soon!