To Barthox,

If the lake is as low next October as it is this year then I would say skip Rainbow Bridge. In fact, it the drought keeps up you might not have a choice in the matter.

I love the all day tour to Rainbow Bridge and the sight seeing is beyond belief, but if you have to hike 3 miles and be in a boat for this long you are going to be to tired to do much driving afterwards.

Now that I've been to the slots canyon, I would recommend them. I also would highly recommend the 1/2 day float trip down the Colorado River. That was the highlight of our two week trip.

Utahtea

You may not change your itinerary to this degree but will tell you what we did-flew into Phoenix-drove to Grand Canyon-Glen Canyon-Wahweap Lodge is beautiful (and friendly)didn't get to see as much as we wanted of Utah but if you're looking for a little stop over that is kind of central to Bryce, Zion, Glen Canyon, and inexpensive try St. George-we stayed at the Best Western Coral Cliffs for about $54 a night and it was one of the best motels on the trip and we spent as much as $250 a night for some-large rooms, friendly staff, free continental breakfast, refrig in room, clean new laundry room, indoor AND outdoor pools and hot tubs and walking distance to some historic sites, museums-also walking distance to a variety of restaurants-some GREAT mexican food at a buffet down the street-very inexpensive-drove from there to LV-short easy drive-1 hour drive to Zion which was my favorite-actually thought it more beautiful than the GC-have a wonderful time

Hi, caribbean!

Great area for travelling!

First would suggest a couple of items to take along: small flashlight (for Antelope Valley). It can get very dark and narrow in spots. That late in the year, the light shafts will not be penetrating to the floor, so 10:30a would be an OK time. Try Antelope Canyon Tours. They are Navajo owned and, in their front office, they have some awesome photos of Antelope Valley which you can buy.

Take some cream. A week in the desert and your skin will start protesting. Also take lots of water in your car, your throat will thank you!

I would second the suggestions for Tuzigoot and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. The latter is where a lot of the familiar movie scenes were shot. You can do a drive-yourself tour on a nonpaved road. It's awesome. If you can be there at sunset - well, it's beyond awesome, words can't describe it.

Tuzigoot is a restored site which you can wander around in. Montezuma's castle, you can't; but the explanation plaques at the Castle give you a very good idea of how the Indians lived in that dry area - the plants they used seemed to have impressed the most, if my memory serves me properly. Montezuma's Well is important as it is the source of water for those settlements. Be care when driving to the Well. The road in is very well sign posted, but not the way out. Make certain you notice which turns you are making to get to the Well!

Canyon de Chelly is a wonderful place, but you may not want to do another canyon especially after the GC. If it is a choice between Canyon de Chelly or Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, I would suggest the latter for you on this trip.

Of the area attractions around Sedona, my preferences are Tuzigoot, Montezuma, Walnut Canyon - in that order. We skipped Wupatki and Sunset Crater ("what's a crater but a big hole in the ground?" - my wife's comment!)

In Sedona, believe one of the above posters meant the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Chapel of the Holy Cross. It is interesting and impressive, especially in the early morning. Sedona is spiritual land of the "New Age" people, so be prepared to discuss vortexes and other mystical energy patterns. They are a gentle people, the New Agers.

Can't comment on the GC portion of your trip as we haven't been there in many many moons.

Enjoy! And congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

sunset crater is a volcano that last erupted about 1100 AD. Interesting lava.

Don't plan on a mule trip down the GC. It is shut down for trail maintenance, not sure if they will be back open by November. Mule trips are still available on the North Rim, but this is out of your way and pretty chilly in November.

Glad you're choosing this great state for your honeymoon. I agree with the assessment of getting to Rainbow Bridge--a bridge too far in this case. Although some posters are stressing the heat--since you're going in November, you have to be prepared to run into some cold weather, particularly at the Canyon. They frequently get snow before Thanksgiving. Roads into Sedona can also get icy in winter. And while Canyon de Chelly is my favorite place in the world, it is dicey to plan a trip there in November. May not be able to get into the canyon. Remember much of NORTHERN Arizona is NOT a desert. You may have great weather all the way, but just allow a little wiggle room for a cold spell.

Vera

utahtea: Where did you do you float trip out of? How can I find info out about this? I'm going to Arizona in Oct. and will be in the GC area for a couple days. I'm not sure if we could fit it in, but I've seen you mention on several postings how much you enjoyed that so I'm thinking of looking into it. Thanks.

Cher,

First, use the link just below to see the pictures I took on the float trip.

http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/vacation2003/float.htm

We took the float trip out of Page, AZ. I know that you can also do it from the Grand Canyon too. It costs more, but they bus you to Page, AZ to get on the rafts and then bus you back to the Grand Canyon.

Below is the link I used to get information on the float trip. You have to go to the "Online reservation" link, click on "Wahweap Marina", go to "Reserve a Raft Trip". Here you will get most of your information and phone numbers. You can also check the availability of the dates you might be there.

http://www.lakepowell.com/

I checked and there are still plenty of openings in October. They only have one 1/2 day trip starting at 11:00 at this time of the year. In the summer they a early morning and a late afternoon trip.

Utahtea

To bbjj109,

The N. Rim will close on Oct. 14, 2003 for the season.

Utahtea