Horseshoe Bend, Page, Arizona

The river flows from a dam about a ten minute drive to the right of this photo (below) and continues down to the left and winds its way through the Grand Canyon, about a three hour dive away.

It was surreal walking up to this cliff from behind at 5:00 AM before the sunrise.  In the dark, it just seemed to be normal desert with some rocks, and as I walked closer, the cliff opened up before me to this huge 1,000 ft. cliff to the river below (that's the same height as standing on top of a 99 storey building with no guard rails).  Lying on my stomach to peer over the cliff with my arms stretched out holding the camera, it was all I could do to just lie there.  It's an amazing feeling to be so high up and so close to the edge.  I had to shut my eyes at times when the feeling of the cliff giving way was too strong - it was overwhelming.  I came back later that night to be there for this sunset (above).   God's creation is amazing!  It is awe inspiring to be in such a large place and to feel so small.  A beautifully humbling experience.  The sunrise photos are below:

Antelope Canyon, Page, Arizona

The two people in this last photo gives some perspective on the size of these slot canyons.  When it rains, the canyons are closed, for people have died as the water rushes through the canyons, filling them up with a raging river.  It doesn't even have to rain in the area, for water from thunder storms miles away comes crashing into these canyons unexpectedly.  For years, the local native culture would not allow their people to venture in these "sacred" cliffs, believing they were places spirits lived.  I think the truth of the matter is that these places were so dangerous due to flash floods that they had to find a way to keep people out or they would become "spirits" when the floods came.