Vermilion Cliffs is a favorite area of mine, I love the isolation of Hwy 89A, my first visit was in 1995, back then I was a virgin to Southern Utah, it was my first time and I was hooked. In 1997 I brought my parents here, my mum was in her 60's and my dad in his 70's. In 1997 the isolation was broken by the huge logging trucks, shit I hate them, my little bit of happiness broken by the hard reality of life, yes we have to earn a living. On this visit to Vermilion Cliffs I discover Glen Canyon Lees Ferry NRA. It is only 50 yrds North of Navajo Bridge. This is my third visit and yet I have missed it. I turn my car to the right. I reach a silly machine that wants me to pay to enter the recreational area. I follow the instructions, and I am glad it accepts credit cards. I feel good as I have been an honest tourist. I continue and I see signs saying that I must stick to the road, but I am a photographer. I see a photo opportunity, I stop my car, I look back and see no one, it is after all Nov 2004, not too many tourists here. I take my pictures and I realise that the best pictures of Vermilion Cliffs are in Glen Canyon recreational area, yes you have to pay 10 dollars.
I leave the Park and turn West towards Jacobs Lake, I have never seen the lake, who has? I continue West and pass Marble Canyon Lodge. I continue for two or three miles and then something tells me to turn back. There is something in my heart that likes this area, tranquility and peacefulness, I reverse my car and I go back to Marble Canyon Lodge.
I walk in to the reception area, I do not know what to expect. I see an American Indian woman and a European woman talking together. I walk in and the Indian woman walks away. I explain that I am from England, she says that she is from Scotland, her brother runs the Angling outfitters next door. I was so glad to meet her because I met a human being amongst all the red rocks in Utah. All my photos are of the Red Rocks of Utah, but my best experience was meeting a fellow human being from my own county. Yes, I now had to drive through the dark to Richfield.
Next time I will have to stay at Marble Canyon Lodge, and not drive to Richfield. Yes, I wish, but life is so short...
I promised to add some pictures of the lodge on my website and here they are:
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The Vermilion Cliffs and Glen Canyon Lees Ferry are right next to this lodge.
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125 miles North of Flagstaff on 89A, on Colorado River at Lee's Ferry close
to Vermillion
Cliffs and next to Glenn Canyon Lees
Ferry, AZ.
(Tel 1-800-726-1789 or (928) 355-2225)
Copyright © 2004 R A Taylor For personal, non-commercial,
charitable and educational use only.
If you want to use my pics for a school or university project or charitable
purposes the answer is yes, but please add a link to my site and let me
know
Please Note that the Images of Cambodia are Copyright
SAO Cambodia. Please ask them if you
want to use the Cambodia pics - Thanks.
Page started Jan 2004