A River Runs Around It

Do you ever have those days when everything seems to be flowing smoothly but then at the end of the day you realize you are right back where you started from?


Here it is illustrated, Horseshoe Bend, a huge meander in the Colorado River.

For 27 years I have driven past this beautiful landmark, not knowing that it was there just waiting to be discovered just over the crest of a sandy hill.

Seriously only a few miles south of Page, Arizona is the trail head for the short 1.5 hike (round-trip) to the viewing spot of this famous loop in the river.

Of course the hike is mostly through sand, and once you get there, there are no railings to protect you from the 1000 feet drop to the river.

To get this picture, I laid down on my stomach and held the camera as near to the edge as I dared. Of course it was worth it.

A bit of trivia: So if Colorado means red in Spanish, why is it blue? Answer: It used to be red before the Glen Canyon Dam was built which regulated flooding and nearly stopped minerals and sediment flowing in the river which had caused the muddy reddish color.