Because it is all art to me

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 4/2/2006, 4:07 pm Post subject: Because it is all art to me

Crossing the Colorado River is the first step to the places I wanted to explore on this day. To the north of the bridge is Glen Canyon Dam, which took over five million cubic yards of concrete make up the dam and power plant, enough they say, to build a four-lane highway stretching from Phoenix, Arizona to Chicago, Illinois. It is 350’ thick at the base and 25’ thick at the top and 700' high. I don’t know but I’ve been told that the concrete in the center is still curing after being completed in 1964. The nameplate capacity of it’s power output is 1,296,000 kilowatts. Glen Canyon Bridge is the second highest steel-arch bridge in the United States and that is what I stand on to take this photo.

The easiest way to the river on the opposite side of Page would be through the power station. I actually did that years ago but nowadays, well, everyone is aware of nowadays and power plants. You can’t even stop at the Visitors Center at the Dam to take a leak with any hardware in your pockets.

I had measured time so my gait was quick from town to the bridge and on up into the hills beyond. When I came to the last fence line for the power plant, I cut into the desert and angled out toward the river. I found a cave on the way and the floor was deep with sand and scree. It is set up about 20 feet off the desert floor with pockmarks in the sandstone for footholds. I am quite sure this was used but I have other targets and move on.

The Dams power is sent to many places so you always cross a few transmission lines on a hike in this area which go for hundreds of miles. I had some flashbacks under this tower.

I am not revolted at the sight of the marks of man because I choose to see them differently, unlike the unkind angle that some others often find. However, this is not particularly what I seek out here. Eventually, if you are willing to go far enough, you do find what you are looking for, a world with a good place to sit, a stunning view and a few moments to drink, rest and take it all in. No trails out here, no tourists and no RV’s. Your boots get you in and your boots get you out. Out here, you are off the radar. This is what I came for but I appreciate all the unexpected things throughout the journey just as much.

As they were a thousand years ago for someone else, the details are all around me. Though my turnaround time is drawing near, which I usually go over, I take the time to observe. Ancient cross bedding in the stone which used to be sand dunes fascinate me much more so than that far-out tower.

The structures of a single leaf against the ancient sandstone captivate me more so than the monster Dam.

Getting out to a place is mostly never too difficult. The getting back for prior commitments is the challenge. Speed is what I need but by now my focus is developed into its own rhythm and it is hard to move with the speed I am going to need. I will have to make it up miles later in the walk but that is something that will have to take care of itself. For now, I am away and in a place I want to be.

Postscript; my GPS batteries were not the only power to die on me and that was my fault. I had not charged my camera batteries either and the spare was way down. I shot away anyway and changed the memory card once. The second card with 74 images was corrupted data because of the insufficient battery I suppose. I downloaded PhotoRescue and was able to recover everything, even some previously erased images from previous trips. That cost me 29 bucks but now I have the software for “what if’ it happens again. I didn’t get lost in the falling light and the image files were recovered. It’s all good.
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Davis2001R6 · Joined: 12 Dec 2003 Posts: 5591 Location: Italy

Love the pics as usual Glen, especially the power line tower.

IGO · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 4144 Location: Las Vegas

I love the staircase country.
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Tom Treks · Gear Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 3347

Glen, is your left boot lace frayed??

Shades

paintninaz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 3515

Wonderful Photos Glen!! Thanks!! Agree

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“Friends make the bad times good — and the good times unforgettable.”

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 4/2/2006, 5:24 pm Post subject:

MikeInFHAZ · Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 1401 Location: location location

is there an aglet store somewhere??
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BoyNhisDog · Posted: 4/2/2006, 5:51 pm Post subject:

Mike, I just trimmed it and melted the tip a bit and shaped it to a point. That will work for now. The laces are still in fairly good condition so I'll just keep on going.
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Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
- Andre Gide

Cholla · Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 379

I really like the photo of your legs hanging over the edge. Neat effect. May I borrow it? Smile

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 4/2/2006, 7:10 pm Post subject:

You may!

Thanks.
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Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
- Andre Gide

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Lovely pictures and a great write-up. Thanks for sharing Smile

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kurthzone · Posted: 4/3/2006, 9:10 am Post subject: art

Awsome photos Glen!
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wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

Exquisite pictures. So beautiful. Thank you for sharing both the pics and the feelings where you were. I could feel myself there while gazing at the photos.
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BoyNhisDog · Posted: 4/3/2006, 4:53 pm Post subject:

Ambika, Kurt and Michelle, thank you for the kind words. Soon the tourist season will arrive and my season for using Page as a fuel/rest stop will come to an end until late Fall returns. Every year I cherish the months when I want to go to a near ghost town and practically have the place to myself.

It is some powerful, motivational terrain. There are many places that lay not far from town which have not been seen by many people. Most collect at the same places over and over which is fine but there is so much more.
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Seize from every moment its unique novelty and do not prepare your joys
- Andre Gide

RedRoxx44 · Queen of the Walkabout Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Posts: 1167

Thank you for a taste of the red rock country. It is my home, as soon as I see Navajo mtn and skirt Lake Powell, I know I am there. Soon.
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