We wanted to do something special while we were visiting Page, AZ, and the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and a Lake Powell boat tour seemed like just the thing. It was all the better when we found the cruise had available seats. We were scheduled for Sunday morning but it was pretty stormy and the folks with Lake Powell Resort's guided boat tours at the Wahweap Marina were amenable to changing our date to Monday morning. While we appreciated their accommodation, Monday morning was looking threatening as well. We did see some rain but not as much as the day before and I think our pictures turned out well in the muted light so we were pleased with our trip.
The dark weather seemed very far off. The sun was shining and it was pretty nice, at first.
The upper deck started off full. The sun was shining as we were in a "no wake" zone next to the marina.
I thought this feature looked like a large family gathering for a family portrait. The Dad is sticking his tongue out at the camera!
We first took a little detour to view the back of the dam. The sun dipped behind some clouds.
When we came back out to the channel and headed toward Antelope Canyon, it dawned on us that we were heading straight for those very dark clouds we saw hovering behind the marina.
The rain was not bad but the wind was biting - I'm just happy we were not kayaking the lake this morning!
Antelope Canyon was so narrow the captain would sound the horn to warn oncoming traffic we were approaching around the blind corners. The boat was so close to the canyon wall I could have reached out and touched the rock.
The wind and rain pushed all but the most stubborn sightseers below. It was a challenge keeping our cameras dry in the drizzle.
The wind blew, but that is always the case on a boat and we were bundled up and stayed warm enough.
Yes, it rained but it always let up enough to see everything we wanted to see and the water enhances the colors. It never really poured and both of our cameras survived.
We were told Antelope Marina, run by the Navajo Nation, had big plans for a Casino. Navajo Canyon was next and it turned out to be my favorite.
Keeping in mind that the lake level was more than a hundred feet below full pool, much of the rock wall we were viewing might not be seen at times. The colors and striations reminded us of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior in Michigan.
It was rich in color due to an abundance of desert varnish.
I see a mother and child blending into the cliff face.
Navajo Canyon featured a magnificent tapestry wall.
Desert varnish is a coating of ferromanganese oxides and clays that develops on rock surfaces. Manganese-oxidizing bacteria, which are found in the varnish, also play an important role.
The scenes reminded me of ancient Japanese tapestries. I can see a goose or swan in flight or maybe a porpoise.
At first, I saw a dinosaur, but then I notice the wings, so now I see a dragon.
Time to head back to the marina, and home to Sam.
As we headed back to the marina, the clouds thinned and the sun made an appearance again.
Joani rang the bell and the captain panicked thinking someone had gone overboard - just kidding - I have no idea why the bell was there other than a photo opportunity.
Later in the afternoon, the rains had cleared but the cloud drama remained giving us some nice views from our campsite.
Beautiful pictures!
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