Another item checked complete on the “bucket list” of this band of explorers who joined together to fly off to Page, Arizona, for what turned out to be a really great adventure……….a guided tour of Upper Antelope Canyon.
The cast of characters:
L to R - Dick Booton, Keith Monet, Gert Little, Margaret Monet, Katie Booton, Sandy and Dewey Harnagel, Jim McCaw, Greg and Jim Little behind the camera.
Keith and Margaret were first to be airborne, they stopped in Page to pick up friends Jim McCaw and Greg. Jim and Gert with neighbors Katie and Dick Booton were off next followed almost immediately by Dewey and Sandy.
The flight north provided a smooth enjoyable ride with plenty of Arizona scenery to be taken in. First, the Verde Valley and the red rocks of Sedona followed by the beautiful views of a rather majestic snow capped Mt Humphries and the San Francisco Peaks as we flew north and then along the east side of Flagstaff. As we continued north, a high
thin layer of Cirrus clouds kept an otherwise bright sun from lighting up the Painted Desert area though the view was still quite enjoyable.
The traffic at Page was light, wind out of the north at 4, our three arriving aircraft maneuvered to land on runway 33. I passed high over the airport to make a gentle right descending turn to enter on the 45 for the right downwind. This provided my passengers an opportunity for a good aerial view of Lake Powell before descending to land.
As we taxied from the runway, Classic Aviation ramp personnel were “Johnny-on-the-Spot” to usher us to waiting parking spots, ready to assist with securing our planes and handling of our service needs. Their van was positioned, set to carry us off to the Ranch House Grille for breakfast.
On arrival at the Ranch House Grille, we were seated quickly and our server was right there to take care of the coffee and other assorted drinks. Breakfast orders were soon in the hands of the “chefs” and before we knew it, our delicious breakfasts were in front of us, served as ordered. I wish now that I had taken a picture of my breakfast plate, I believe this was the largest individual serving of hash browns I’ve seen! Prepared just the way I like them! The eggs, bacon and toast were just as ordered…. quite good too.
Breakfast consumed, plates cleared away……after lots of friendly conversation, a little hangar flying and “war” stories too and having reached our fill of coffee and tea, we set off for the short walk to the tour company’s office. With our tour scheduled for 11:30, we had plenty of time for a leisurely stroll. It was a short walk to Antelope Canyon Tours office, about 2 city blocks. MapQuest gives a slightly skewed map interpretation indicating a much lengthier walk from the restaurant and in a slightly different direction. Checked in and ready to go, the girls in our group did a little bargain shopping at the tours office gift shop and at another shop just around the corner.
At 11:30, our tour guide signaled for the group of 10, that was us, it was time to load up and head for the canyon. There were plenty of seats on the truck to take us, a young German couple vacationing here in the southwest rode with us. A very friendly fellow, sorry but didn’t get his name, told me of how wonderful all the parks are in the U.S. and of many of the things they are able to enjoy here that are not available (not available due to regulation) to them in Germany and other parts of Europe.
A fairly short ride to the canyon, pretty “lumpy” traveling the last mile or so through the dry sandy riverbed. Other trucks carrying tourists were already there and soon, after reaching the canyon, even more trucks arrived. Our guide, Paul, introduced us to Upper Antelope Canyon. Soon after entering and rubbing his eyes from the blinding flashes, he strongly urged that we not use the flash on our cameras to take pictures. The flash has a tendency to flatten or washout so much of the colors normally visible to the eye. We were to benefit from Paul’s experience and as we walked through the canyon, he would show us some of the best spots from which to take our pictures. 
Other than to get in or out of the truck, no climbing was required to enjoy this natural attraction. Walking on the soft sand made one wobble a little bit as if we may have had a few drinks. Upon entering the canyon, the scenes were beautiful as anticipated. We’ve all seen pictures taken in Antelope Canyon by the pro’s, now it was time to take our own pictures. Given the time of year, the sun was in excellent position to cast beams of light as it illuminated the more spectacular places. The high thin cirrus clouds, while restricting the sunlight somewhat, parted at times to permit bright beams of light to shine through the openings over our heads.
The “WOW” meter was reading pretty high today! So many amazing and beautiful views of the rock forming Antelope Canyon!
Camera memory cards now full, this part of our adventure was over and it was time to head for the airport. Our “carriage” for the tour dropped us off at the airport. We said our goodbyes to Paul (our guide) and the German couple too and off they all went as we headed into the FBO.
The headwind and mild “lumps” on the return flight to Deer Valley were far more than offset by the really enjoyable flight to Page, the beautiful views of our varying dessert landscape as we flew along, friendly people at the FBO, a good breakfast, the tour itself and the camaraderie of our group. Back at our home portand across the street from DVT, the delicious ice cream with choice of favorite toppings ordered up at Culver’s was a nice finish to our outing as we brought this adventure to a close.
Returning to DVT listening to other communications with DVT tower provided a little entertainment of sorts. Seems there was fellow reporting he was 7 miles west of the airport asking for a straight in approach to runway 25! The controller finally determined this flyer was east, not west, of DVT. Another foreign student pilot flying a Seminole inbound from the northeast was experiencing difficulties finding Cave Creek Dam, the controller admonished him, not knowing the location of the dam was an unacceptable mistake he told the pilot. So goes it for the student pilots………..we’ve all been there though haven’t we?
If there was a downside to the day it was perhaps that there was a significant number of others taking tours at the same time we were and therefore, at times, the slot canyon was just a bit crowded. It was not unusual to have to wait a moment or two for others to pass before moving on through the canyon. The number of people though didn’t prevent us from getting some very nice pictures and enjoying all of the scenes. Of course, the best and, as it turns out, the most popular tour time had been selected for us in order to take advantage of the best lighting conditions.
Join us soon for another Arizona Blue Sky Flyer activity! You’ll be glad you did!
Below is a small assortment from the many pictures taken today by Dewey, Margaret, Gert, Jim, and guest Katie.
Click on the thumbnail for a larger view
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