Source: ChuckJonesGalleries.com
It seems like every time Bugs Bunny traveled to a new location by burrowing his way across the landscape, he would end up in the wrong location. As he was trying to figure out what went wrong, he always came to the same conclusion, “I knew I should’ve taken that left turn at Albuquerque!!”. For those of you who need a reminder of Bugs’ travel mishaps, you can click the YouTube link below.
Those of you who have known Rachel and me through the years know that one of our favorite places in the world is Sedona, Arizona. Rachel was first introduced to this area by her friend Laura when she was sixteen years old. She visited there many times before we met. She liked the area so much that she named her daughter Sedona. I proposed to Rachel at the Holy Cross Chapel in Sedona on November 1, 2013, ten years ago.
Source: Jesse’s IPhone
It turns out that if you are traveling north through New Mexico and get to Albuquerque, you could take our friend Bugs Bunny‘s advice and take a left turn at Interstate 40, which takes you right to Sedona. Rachel and I did that a few weeks ago and got to spend a little more than a week hiking and sightseeing in northeast Arizona.
During this trip, we got to visit Lower Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona. It is a slot canyon, located on a Navajo reservation. It is accessible only by Navajo guided tours. It is located about three hours northeast of Sedona, and it has long been on Rachel’s bucket list of locations to visit.
It was formed by the erosion of sandstone due to flash floods and winds. When rainwater runs into the basin above, it rushes into the canyon's narrow passageways. Over time, the passages erode, which deepens the corridors and forms flowing shapes and spiral rock arches, all of which are underground.
Source: Jesse’s IPhone
Lower Antelope Canyon is reached by descending a long staircase. It has a maximum depth of approximately 120 feet and is approximately 1335 feet long. It is a narrow canyon and secure footing is not available in all areas of the canyon. Wind, rain, and sand from the desert above enter the canyon from the cracks in the earth and continue to shape the landscape below.
Source: Jesse’s IPhone
I am including several pictures from our trip to give you an idea of how spectacular these formations can be. Light coming in from above can create dramatic light and shadows on the sandstone structures that you are walking through. Eventually, you climb up a narrow ladder and passageway, as you can see Rachel demonstrating in the photo below. Looking at this from ground level, you would have no idea the visual treats that await you below the earth.
Source: Jesse’s IPhone
Traveling underground through deep and narrow passages is a unique experience. Bugs Bunny does it often in his cartoons. Fortunately for us, we took the left turn at Albuquerque and ended up exactly where we wanted to be. As you, our friends and clients, often share your travels, pictures, and experiences with us, we thought we would take a moment to do the same. We would highly recommend that you add Lower Antelope Canyon to your future travel list, as we all continue “Moving Life Forward”.