Cigar Mike Discovers America

by

Upper Antelope-0255.jpg
And now it’s time for my weekly feature — Cigar Mike Discovers America.
As the 70’s Rock Band once sang, “I’ve Never Been to Spain, but I’ve Been to Arizona” and that’s where I’ll take you today. In Northern Arizona near the Utah border lies a small town called Page. This town was established when they built the Glen Canyon Dam which is an impressive site I must say which created Lake Powell. Just a few miles south of Page is the Navajo Nation and one of the greatest treasures in this Country – Antelope Canyon. For centuries Antelope Canyon was the playground to the Navajo but in the last couple of decades the white man discovered it and it’s been a must see for anyone traveling through the area. Page is not too far from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and is about a 2-3 hour drive from Zion National Park. Now how do you get to Upper Antelope Canyon? You have to take a tour there since only authorized tours have permission to enter and take you on the Navajo land.
Once you’re there, your jaw will drop in awe. This is what is called a slot canyon. About a 1/4 mile long, this canyon was carved by flash floods and erosion. (Note that it still gets hit with flash floods and if there is any risk of a monsoon or storm, you’d better not be in there as there is no way out when a rushing flash flood comes through the canyon). We photographers love this place because of the lighting and and textures of the sandstone. It truly is like a religious experience.
When there, I suggest you using Overland Canyon Tours and asking for Charlie. He’s one of the better outfitters there and is also an artist so he’ll point you to some of the best photo ops in the Canyon.
If you are a photographer, take a tripod and cable release if you want to really capture the canyon.
Note my friends that this is in the middle of the desert so in summer, the temperatures will and can get into the hundreds. I prefer to go in winter or spring. Spring will give you the best light there.
Until next time, keep discovering America!

4 thoughts on “Cigar Mike Discovers America”

  1. Great Picture Mike. What’s the temperature like in the spring? I know summer would not be very pleasant for me. Did you use any kind of filter? I just bought my first digital SLR camera and I am trying to learn as much as possible.

  2. Right now the temps in Page are lows in the upper 40’s low 50’s and highs in the mid to upper 70’s.
    The best time to be there is April / May.
    No filter used. Just a tripod and cable release and aperture at f/8.

  3. There’s so much to discover in this great land in America. I don’t think there’s any other country (possibly China) that provides such a variable landscape as the U.S. does. Deserts, tropics, mountains, plains…

Comments are closed.