Friday, July 19, 2024

Starting mileage: 16616, Distance travelled: 284, Miles walked: 3.5

We found ourselves in Bluff, UT because David’s college friend, Eric (whose family hosted us on last year’s adventure) highly recommended Muley Point Overlook. The recommendation conveniently omitted the death-defying drive up the side of a bluff, followed by a brain-rattling 5-mile dirt road out to end of the giant bluff. Last summer we thought we had steeled our nerves on the most harrowing of cliff-side drives, but clearly we were wrong. Adding to our anxiety on the ascent, we saw evidence of at least one vehicle that didn’t make it to the top.

We were rewarded by some of the most spectacular 270-degree views…and cute little lizards skittering around everywhere.

We wimped out and decided it was too risky to drive back down the way we came. If we came across ANY other vehicle coming up the road, there would be NOWHERE to go except over the edge. We were once again rewarded by even more amazing views even though it meant driving an extra hour. Possibly that extra hour ended in some kid shenanigans.

We headed south to get around the rough terrain, back into Arizona, and west to get across to Page, AZ, for our next adventure. We arrived at our campsite just before 5pm (4pm? Damn Arizona!) in 102 degree heat. We stayed at the Antelope Point Marina and RV Park, right on the shores of Lake Powell at the intersection of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the Navajo Nation. Upon arrival, Brady opened the van door to a strong, hot desert wind and exclaimed,”it’s like being in a blow drier!” We were just a short walk (1.25 miles) to a place you could swim so we put on our suits and headed down for a dip before dinner. Although the water was close to 80 degrees, it was very refreshing and the terrain and red sand were very cool.

After walking back, much refreshed, we changed and headed down to the marina for dinner. We went to the world’s largest floating restaurant, Jadi’Tooh (The Point), right out on the docks.

After dinner, we came out to see amazing sunset views on both sides. The temperature had cooled off enough for us to sit outside on our tiny piece of turf and enjoy the nearly full moon playing in the clouds.