61.08 Arizona: First 3 days in Page, a brief introduction to a Rock-Scrambling Heavenly Environment, around Lake Powell.

  Before continuing with scenes from Lake Havasu, we thought of displaying a handful of pictures of Page, arguably one of our favorite spots in the world. After 8 days in Havasu, hence quite a few blogs unposted, we arrived in Page, a visit of fourteen days. That's pretty dumb, I thought. This could be our 8th, perhaps 10th visit thus far. We should have known better. After all these periods, why choose as many as fourteen days? What were we thinking? It should have been thirty-days, at least. 

  Admittedly, on some days Jen cannot feel her extremities as the sun fights a tough battle against the air currents. Fortunately, by mid-morning the temperature is usually in 'the black' while the land, boulders and rocks remain in beautiful hues of yellow, orange and red. Thus we 'struggle' on, keeping the stiff upper-lip as the British used to say in the earlier generations (we miss that age), feasting our senses in a gorgeous environment while the shades of blue from the water provide a brilliant contrast. Some days we feel spoiled rotten in being exposed to such wonder. Fortunately, it's balanced with the challenges and struggles of climbing and long hikes, thus making us feel it's nearly earned. I've always said humans can rationalize anything. 

 I intended to caption this with "Takes our breath away", before realizing that phrase could be used most times. I'll write instead, "Thank you for entertaining and enlightening us while lifting our spirits." The lake/river takes a sharp turn as it enters from Utah.
'I haven't got all day, you know, these rocks might not wait for me." 'Yeah, right. Where do you suppose they're going?' I never said our conversations were intelligent. While Jen may not look ready for rock action, she's pure 'terror' on the boulders and frankly, a delight.
We found a route to the high spot in Page itself which gave us a unique view of Lake Powell. It goes without saying what a special period it was with eyes glued to the scene.
  We would like to repeat an incident that occurred in New Zealand a number of years ago that puts Page in perspective rather than on the map. We were walking on the Kepler Trek and had just returned from a major peak. We noticed a young man looking up toward that peak and we greeted him. Clearly, he was an American and we inquired where he lived. 

 "But your accent does not sound like that of a New Yorker," we countered. He replied he was living in the City then but in fact grew up in Arizona. 

  "Where in Arizona?" we asked further. 

  "You won't know of the place," he countered, "It's a small town, only discovered in the 1950's. Nobody knows of it." Try us we pursued yet again. 

  "I grew up in a place called Page," he mentioned. "I doubt whether you've heard of it." 

  "Yeah right," we replied, in our newly acquired American phrase. We had been in the town two months before.

The river is deep, the river is wide, it is indeed a treasure. My treasure stands to the side.
From the spring in Jen's step one can discern how much she enjoys rock-hopping. I come along for the ride just to keep her company.
Why should Jenni have all the fun?
Shadow dancing on the rocks.
This is a new position we found, what a win.
A good time of day.
Highway 89 brings one in from the other great state, Utah.
It seems impossible to witness such amazing sights/sites

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

We remember David Diamond—friend, gentleman and decent human—who passed away recently following a short, devastating illness, struck down from 'out of the blue'. While we all continue, something and somebody is definitely missing. Our deepest condolences go out to David's dear wife, Jackie, and of course, his family. Clearly, there is much of which we are wholly ignorant, so much that makes no sense. 😢