Visiting one of the most photogenic places on Planet Earth

Antilope Canyon, near Page in northern Arizona is one of the most photogenic places on Planet Earth. It is also one of the most beautiful slot canyons in the world. About 300 miles away, it was a four hour drive from Phoenix. Photos taken by our "seniors" (yes we are out of college, but thats the term even in professional life, used for those - who've been there, dun all) immediately prompted us to visit this place first. The night before the drive was decided to be the time to make the plan, although each one started making their own versions of the plan long before. A week long internet search of all the spots around the canyon had to be filtered to a handful. Everyone used snaps searched on internet by them to push forth their sites. After all the deliberations about which sites to visit(or rather which ones to skip) we finally fixed five- enough for three days - again as per the experienced "seniors". We had decided to finalize the plan after dinner and sleep early. But the deliberations went long in the night and finally consensus was arrived not out of any genuine agreement but because if we would have gone further it would have been almost our leaving time in the morning. Although we went to bed almost four hours late than the actual plan and only a few hours away from our alarm time, but due to excitement the actual sleep was a couple of hours even less.

And then there it was - the day we had waited for like many other poor Americans, the most awaited - long week end of the Thanksgiving Day. While the entire country awaited excitedly for whats on offer, we waited for our once in a life time offer. Alarms woke up us all and the night's sleep rather felt like a five minute doze. We left at around 8 in the morning, (although the plan was about 7). According to plan we drove first to our office and took printouts of driving directions and map from mapquest.com and also had some quick coffee (which wasnt planned). We followed the directions and started the long straight drive along I-17 N. The journey was simply awesome. Leaving those familiar roads and buildings to finally come out of the city and witness the shrubs and the dunes of the countryside. The morning was picture perfect, with beautiful air, a bright sun and clear skies. After about an hours drive we waited at a food joint to have breakfast while a few of us had to answer nature's belated call.

Not yet finished......To be continued..............when I get some time out of all these project releases..........