Wahweap, Lake Powell

Monday we had a nice and uneventful 70 mile drive to our next 5 day stay at Lake Powell's Wahweap Marina and Campground near Page, Arizona.

We've been here quite a few times before and always love the peacefulness and the stark beauty of it.

Yes, I know the lake level is low, yes, water in the west is a real problem.   We're not immune to the seriousness of things - believe me.    But for right now, we're just basking in the hugeness, the serenity, the sky and water and clouds.....

peaceful cove

There is no television here at Wahweap, no news,  limited internet and not much intrusion from the "world".    It's nice,  we're enjoying the moment.

Today was quite warm (mid 80's) and very very windy.   Since we only have 5 days to explore I was reluctant to stay home so we decided to pull in the slides (to avoid wind damage to the slide toppers while we were gone) and take Lewis along for a trip up Cottonwood Canyon.    Lewis is concerned when Beluga rocks and rolls in high winds so we thought he'd be happier with us.    He was.

geez!  right on the flower I was going to photograph!

He was able to get out and "stretch his legs" ahem....a number of times.

There are fewer wildflowers here than in other areas we've been in and I guess I don't really mind that right now.    While beautiful and colorful and exciting to discover them forcing up through the dry ground, the truth is we are all suffering from the sneezies, and itchy eyes that spring allergies bring.    Even Lewis.

Today, every time we'd let him out of the Jeep to explore with us, he would stop, cock back,  wind up and produce the most enormous sneeze we've ever heard.   We were afraid he'd blow his beautiful black gumdrop of a nose right off!    Then he'd try and rub his itchy eyes on the rock or sand or whatever he was walking on.    Not good to rub those delicate eyeballs in the sand or stab them with a cactus thorn so we'd call him to us and let him rub on our legs.    Poor boy.    After a good eye rub and several sneezes he was ready to start the hike. 

Ah spring.   new life springs from an old cottonwood trunk 

We didn't drive the entire 46 miles of Cottonwood Canyon Rd., although we could have.   It had been recently bladed and was in good condition for even a 2 wheel drive vehicle.   The truth is we stopped so many times along the way (including a very long detour ending abuptly at an impassible spot) and absorbed so much beauty that we didn't think we could handle any more so we turned around at the majestic Grosvenor Arch, about 20 miles from Cannonville, Utah.

Besides it was getting late (although we never really know what time zone we're in here, thus what time is it - really?) and the wind was becoming crazy.   My poor camera is starting to grind loudly when I retract the lens....too much sand in the air I fear.

nope, not a white out.....a sand out!

So, here are a few more pictures from somewhere along Cottonwood Canyon Road.

this boulder garden  shielded our lunch spot from the strong and sandy wind.

driving along behind the fascinating Cockscomb formations

The color of some pictures is off....those were the ones I took through the tinted windshield to avoid an approaching dust devil.....sorry.

That's all for now.  I'm taking my itchy eyes off to bed.   It's been dark for awhile now, it must be time.     Eat when we're hungry, sleep when we're tired, get up when we wake up...not a bad way to live! 

view from my bedroom window in the morning.....