http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW Travels and Journeys... Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:00:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 2006-2010 heather@heatherdugan.com (Heather Dugan) heather@heatherdugan.com (Heather Dugan) posts 1440 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW 144 144 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?feed=podcast Footsteps Travels and Journeys... Travel, outdoors, adventure, Heather, Dugan, stories Heather Dugan Heather Dugan heather@heatherdugan.com no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/09/07/walk-through-sand-sculpture/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/09/07/walk-through-sand-sculpture/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:03:06 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=5989 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/09/07/walk-through-sand-sculpture/feed/ 1 2:03 Roaming herds of pronghorn antelope were the inspiration for Antelope Canyon's English name.  Nothing against the antelope, but the canyon's Navajo name "Hasdeztwazi" (Spiral Rock ... Roaming herds of pronghorn antelope were the inspiration for Antelope Canyon's English name.  Nothing against the antelope, but the canyon's Navajo name "Hasdeztwazi" (Spiral Rock Arches) seems a better fit for the whimsical geology that attracts photographers from all over the world. Standing at the bottom of the first ladder in the Lower canyon, I felt as if I'd landed in the burrow of a manic, gifted sculptor. The swirled sandstone passageway revealed only the immediate, and as I edged through and around the billowing rock, I found myself settled into a constant state of anticipation.  What colors and formations would materialize around the next curve, at the end of the upcoming ladder or... even just behind me if I turned to look back at where I had just been? Creeping sunlight advanced across the sculpted walls of sand to create an ever changing canvas of colors and shadows.  It was an enveloping sort of art resplendent with deep purples, rosy reds and vibrant oranges.  A silent studio where pockets of darkness and shafts of light interplayed in astonishingly lovely ways.  And yet, the twisting walls of Lower Antelope Canyon are forever an unfinished work. Water and wind will continue to carve at the slot canyon, softening its edges while inscribing their definitive patterned trails into the walls themselves. No one is allowed entry into Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon without a purchased pass.  It's safer that way.  As with any slot canyon, Antelope Canyon is susceptible to flash flooding from distant storms.  My photographer's pass allowed me to wander at will, without the time restrictions and crowding of a group tour, but with access to the helpful suggestions of floating Navajo guides.  Their knowledge of the timing of passing light was as good as a bus schedule for a photographer hoping to catch the moving rays of daylight. Page Vacations Antelope Canyon, Canyons, Hiking Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/09/03/antelope-canyon-a-navajo-treasure/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/09/03/antelope-canyon-a-navajo-treasure/#comments Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:19:40 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=5940 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/09/03/antelope-canyon-a-navajo-treasure/feed/ 1 1:31 Following my Navajo teen guide across a barren landscape speckled only occasionally by greenish gray sagebrush, there was no hint of a canyon to be ... Following my Navajo teen guide across a barren landscape speckled only occasionally by greenish gray sagebrush, there was no hint of a canyon to be found. From advance reading I knew it would not be a walk into but rather a climb down to stand on the floor of Lower Antelope Canyon.  The red sand yielded no clues. And then, there it was.  A fissure in the earth, a slender line along which the red sandstone swirled down upon itself like sand falling through a funnel or hourglass. I swung my photographer's pass and camera over my shoulder to dangle down my back, turned myself around and began climbing down a metal ladder. Antelope Canyon in northern Arizona had always been just beyond reach in previous travels.  It's a destination unto itself, not a casual add-on to a southern Utah or Grand Canyon vacation.  Situated in the crook of where Highway 98 dead ends into Highway 89, Page, Arizona's main claim to fame is the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the north.  Many travelers miss Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons on the Navajo reservation just to the south. I'd imagined walking amidst the twisting red sandstone walls for too many years to pass them by.  To finally climb down into this ethereal below ground level world?  Slightly unbelievable. I'll show you... More Lower Antelope Canyon and Arizona photos, Puerto Rico adventures, and historic Boston to come! Page Vacations Antelope Canyon, Canyons, Hiking Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/08/09/glen-canyon-glide/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/08/09/glen-canyon-glide/#comments Mon, 09 Aug 2010 11:00:16 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=5521 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/08/09/glen-canyon-glide/feed/ 2 0:38 Floating down the Colorado River from the Glen Canyon Dam to the upper edge of the Grand Canyon at Lee's Ferry, Arizona was a ... Floating down the Colorado River from the Glen Canyon Dam to the upper edge of the Grand Canyon at Lee's Ferry, Arizona was a serene yet surreal experience.  Easy friendships were formed for an afternoon.  The words of strangers from places I've yet to see broadened our perspectives with their own.  And vice versa, I hope. At times we simply basked in the stillness, alternately humbled and elevated by our wonderment.  Gliding, as part of the river itself as it carved minuscule changes into the canyon surrounding us. Canyons, Glen Canon National Recreation Area, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Kayak/Canoe Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/26/glen-canyon-shore-birds/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/26/glen-canyon-shore-birds/#comments Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:50:50 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=5515 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/26/glen-canyon-shore-birds/feed/ 5 0:26 Beneath the Glen Canyon Dam, the Colorado River is a cool green ribbon winding through desert land.  The riparian zone at river's edge is shore ... Beneath the Glen Canyon Dam, the Colorado River is a cool green ribbon winding through desert land.  The riparian zone at river's edge is shore bird territory.  We drifted by many intent on a feast of fresh fish as well as trees topped by nesting blue herons. My favorite was this rather focused snowy egret. Canyons, Glen Canon National Recreation Area, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Kayak/Canoe Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/21/launched/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/21/launched/#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:48:55 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=5512 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/21/launched/feed/ 3 1:05 Thankfully, the nifty green "Lego Man" helmets we wore were only necessary for our dock walk from bus to boat.  Safety first, right?  Or maybe ... Thankfully, the nifty green "Lego Man" helmets we wore were only necessary for our dock walk from bus to boat.  Safety first, right?  Or maybe it was more like liability first.  I'm fairly certain it wasn't motivated by anyone's sense of fashion. The boat was actually a blue raft, bobbing gently on a calm stretch of the Colorado River.  Climbing aboard, we settled ourselves as close to the cool green water as possible on an outer edge and watched the world of the canyon unfurl before us.  Through the shallower stretches, we had the same clear views of the river bed as the silent trout fishermen we passed throughout that lazy afternoon. One of the better stories we heard that day involved kayakers sneaking onto the river during a high volume water release and setting a new speed record.  Flaunting their success resulted in being banned from the canyon for a time.  Needless to say, the adrenaline chasers set things right and were a bit more discreet in revealing any future triumphs. 1 Adult/3 Children, Canyons, Glen Canon National Recreation Area, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Kayak/Canoe Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/07/ornithopod-was-here/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/07/ornithopod-was-here/#comments Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:07:06 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=5318 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/07/ornithopod-was-here/feed/ 7 1:02 With the 710 foot Glen Canyon dam rising above us to the right, tightly tucked between red sandstone walls that shunted the Colorado River southwest ... With the 710 foot Glen Canyon dam rising above us to the right, tightly tucked between red sandstone walls that shunted the Colorado River southwest to the Grand Canyon, it would have been easy to overlook a single slab of rock beside the metal dock-way to our raft.  But a student from Northern Arizona University waved me over and quietly pointed out the imprinted stone.  "They don't want people to know it's there," he whispered.  It being the fossiled footprint of a three-toed dinosaur. The 2009 discovery of another ornithopod-like fossil track way in the canyon may date the bird-footed herbivores to 25 million years earlier than previously recorded. The Navajo sandstone of Glen Canyon is etched with histories of ancient people and creatures: primitive petroglyphs and prehistoric fossil prints,  hidden and revealed over time as the water levels rise and fall. Canyons, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Kayak/Canoe, Page Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/02/edging-for-a-photo/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/02/edging-for-a-photo/#comments Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:02:25 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=5331 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/07/02/edging-for-a-photo/feed/ 6 0:30 Sunset photos of Horseshoe Bend near Page, Arizona take a bit of planning.  Bursting changing light and a cliff side tripod perch are just a ... Sunset photos of Horseshoe Bend near Page, Arizona take a bit of planning.  Bursting changing light and a cliff side tripod perch are just a couple of the challenges.  Wind and blowing sand can make the experience even more interesting. The arc of the river around a hulk of glowing Navajo sandstone is captivating though, and serious photographers set up nightly to catch the colorful moment. Canyons, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Hiking, Page Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/06/30/trail-to-horseshoe-bend/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/06/30/trail-to-horseshoe-bend/#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:29:49 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=5304 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/06/30/trail-to-horseshoe-bend/feed/ 5 1:04 Our reverse view, looking down instead of up, lay over and beyond a red sand hill.  Soon, we would stand as ant-sized figures peering down ... Our reverse view, looking down instead of up, lay over and beyond a red sand hill.  Soon, we would stand as ant-sized figures peering down to where we had floated the Colorado River just the day before.  No rail at cliff's edge, a friend had warned, saying that she had opted to take the family photograph rather than back herself up to the 1000 foot drop off. Heights greater than I can safely jump make me squirm, but I'm always a sucker for good scenery. The sun was sinking behind pockets of cloud but blazing its best heat and intermittently saturating the sky with day's last light.  Thick sand made for more deliberate steps, but the slower pace revealed views to be savored on our way to the view for which we had come. The trail to the Horseshoe Bend scenic overlook is a short 3/4 mile trek in the spring, but I imagine summer's heat could make it feel a bit longer.  No rail, no lights.  In dim light, bring a flashlight and an excellent sense of direction. Canyons, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Hiking, Page Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/06/25/around-horseshoe-bend/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/06/25/around-horseshoe-bend/#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:01:16 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=5286 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/06/25/around-horseshoe-bend/feed/ 6 0:53 Most of our better journeys meander in ways that don't allow us to see what is just around the bend.  We focus on what's just ... Most of our better journeys meander in ways that don't allow us to see what is just around the bend.  We focus on what's just ahead, glance over our shoulder at what's behind, and if we're brave enough, peer down over the edges beside us.  Drifting around Horseshoe Bend, I watched lengths of the Colorado River extending in both directions, encased by sandstone cliffs that stretched out of blue water below to blue sky above. The edges were vertical walls of rusty red and brilliant orange etched with the river's story and brushed by desert varnish. These aerial views of Horseshoe Bend are from a short trail we followed just off of Highway 89, south of Page, Arizona.  Trail's end is a 1000 foot drop-off.  Not a good evening stroll! More photos from this hike and from on the Colorado River to come... Canyons, Glen Canon National Recreation Area, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Heather Dugan no no http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/06/18/along-the-rim/ http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/06/18/along-the-rim/#comments Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:37:15 +0000 Heather Dugan http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/?p=5219 http://www.heatherdugan.com/blogNEW/2010/06/18/along-the-rim/feed/ 7 1:16 The last time my feet touched the Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon, one hand was firmly planted on the shoulder of my youngest son.  ... The last time my feet touched the Rim Trail at the Grand Canyon, one hand was firmly planted on the shoulder of my youngest son.  Our family had driven up from Sedona for the day and been surprised by sudden snowfall.  Matt was an exuberant four-year old, and exuberance, abrupt drop-offs and snow did not feel like a good mix. Our return trip was circumvented by still more snow and a road closing that eventually forced us to backtrack and detour around Flagstaff.  Memorable.  Finding an over-sized roaring fire and hot chocolate at Hermit's Rest on the Rim Trail's westernmost point was equally memorable but a bit more pleasant. This time Zach and I walked an eastern section of trail near Mather Point.  Paved and highly accessible, it still afforded some lovely views of canyon landscape.  We felt sympathy for the shivering day-trippers from Vegas wearing shorts and t-shirts.  They didn't linger much beyond a quick glance and photo.  Unfortunate timing.  By the time we returned to hike the South Kaibab trail two days later,  temperatures had caught up to the season and they would have been appropriately dressed. Canyons, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon Village/Tusayan, Hiking Heather Dugan no no