Hot and Dry, Lake Powell NRA, Page, AZ

Friday June 29

"Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Does Anybody Really Care?" by Robert Lamm, Chicago Transit Authority, ~1969

We left Cottonwood CG at Canyon de Chelly bright and early on Friday morning. As we drove through Kayenta, AZ, I realized that we were pretty close to Monument Valley. I had been to Monument Valley once about 30 years ago, but Dorcas has never seen it. At Kayenta we unhitched the Honda and drove it about 25 miles up US 163 to Monument Valley. Monument Valley is a Navajo tribal park and a 4th of July celebration was in progress when we arrived; live music, dancing, the works. We drove the 17 mile loop trial through the valley among the buttes and mesas. It wasn't as pretty as I remembered it (is it ever?). We returned to Kayenta, hitched up to the coach and continued to Page, AZ. At Page we arrived at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon dam just in time to catch the last tour of the day. After the tour we drove about five miles up the lake to Wahweap Campground, where we settled in for the night.

Today was a hot one. We have continued to drop in elevation. Last night we were at about 5300'. On Lake Powell we are at only about 3700'. The outside thermometer on the coach registered 115' degrees this afternoon, although I'm pretty sure it never actually got over 110! We have been in and out of Utah all day. In fact, parts of this very campground are in Utah. This leads to confusion since Utah observes Daylight Savings Time, while Arizona doesn't. Arizona is effectively at the same time as Pacific Daylight Time. Except on the Navajo tribal lands in AZ, where they do observe DST. Confused? So am I. I check the clocks on the wall every chance I get so I know what state I'm in (besides a state of confusion.)

I am looking forward to getting up on the Kaibab Plateau at ~EL 7900' where it should be significantly cooler, and we know what time it is. But does anybody really care?

Myron