We are leaving the hotel just after 6am to be at the turn off from House Rock Road to the narrow, sandy road that leads to Cottonwood Cove just before sunrise.The sand seems to be deeper than we remember it and we don’t know yet how our new car will handle it, so it is…...

Upon coming back from The Wave yesterday, we played the daily lottery for Coyote Buttes South for tomorrow and luckily won it. So, today we have to go the office in Page to pick up our permit at 9am, which is not too bad since we wanted to take it easy today.After picking up the…...

The main reason for our trip to Page: Marco won the lottery for a permit to The Wave again! It’s his 4th time winning, but only our second visit! Last time (in March) we couldn’t go because of the weather, but this time the conditions are perfect. It’s not too cold, the roads are dry…...

As a training hike for tomorrow we decide to do a "shorter" hike through Wire Pass Trail and Buckskin Gulch. Frank, who joined us for this trip, has never been here and we want to show him this great alternative to the overly crowded Antelope Canyon in Page.Due to the dry conditions we can walk…...

As usual on our way to Page we stop at the Navajo Bridge to see if there are any California Condors hanging out in the area.We are lucky to see more than a dozen birds on the bridge and the nearby cliffs. We speak with a guy from the “Peregrine Fund” who is in charge…...

Like many years before, the world's tiniest herons, the Least Bittern have chosen the Gilbert Water Preserve to have their chicks this summer. Adapted uniquely for marsh life, this elusive bird and its charming chicks paint a picture of resilience and natural beauty that captivates bird lovers every year.Watching the babies evolve from fluffy feather…...

The scorching temperatures of a record-breaking heat wave in Phoenix, Arizona, didn't just drive us indoors - it ignited some creative energy that led to an exciting transformation of our blog over the last few weeks. With temperatures soaring to a blistering 118 degrees Fahrenheit (48 degrees Celsius) on July 18, 2023, stepping out into…...

Today, my world shattered when I received the phone call nobody ever wants to get when living far away from home. My mom, my closest friend, passed away at the age of 86. A deep sadness consumes me as I reflect on her life, marked by constant health challenges over decades and unyielding strength to…...

Peridot Mesa is situated on the traditional lands of the Apache tribe in Gila County, Arizona, (1.5 hours east of where we live). The tribe has a rich history in the area, dating back thousands of years, and their culture is deeply intertwined with the land. Today, the Apache tribe continues to live in the region…...

This year we are lucky and the preconditions for a lovely spring bloom have been met and the area around Horseshoe Dam burst into life with a colorful display of wildflowers, creating a stunning natural spectacle. The high amount of water released from the dam makes our trip even more special. It is quite an experience…...