Eternal monuments and endless vistas - September 2017

Steve with ruins of Anasazi settlement, Arizona

Interior of Antelope Canyon

Having visited our close friends Roland and Juanita in Boise Idaho, Jo and I joined our other lovely pals Leigh and Franck in Phoenix Arizona...

The four of us then headed out through the magical land of cactuses and boulders up into the old volcanic region near Flagstaff and on to beautiful and dramatic Lake Powell, behind a massive dam. We arrived just in time to explore Antelope Canyon, where we found ourselves in the midst of the most extraordinary rock formations resembling swirling water between eerie faces.

Another day's drive took us all to one of the great wonders of America, Monument Valley... one of the most breathtaking sights imaginable. Of course we've all seen it in those John Wayne movies and we get the vision of cavalries riding through that wild wasteland, but to actually be there within that fantastic vista is an amazing feeling. Here we were in the Navaho Nation zone, and our Navaho guide Ray led us into the wilderness, where we wove our way through the majestic monuments. I took the chance to view those wonders on horseback from a precipice, which was dangerously thrilling! We also visited a genuine Navaho hogan, where we were shown a slice of traditional life.

In the afternoon we were taken to nearby Mystery Valley, given that name because it harbours dwellings which belonged to the Anasazi peoples who mysteriously disappeared. Their spirits are both revered and feared by the Navaho people who call them "The Old Ones"...

On our return, we stopped off in Winslow, made famous by an Eagles song, and then on to the magical mountains of Sedona where we felt a connection with the flowing force... Whether it's magnetic or spiritual, it for sure exists! Both here and Monument Valley we filmed some clips for a video documentary which Leigh and Franck are about to piece together... It also felt great to play guitar (courtesy of talented local musician Brian David) on the top of a couple of high outcrops...

What a phenomenal journey to the most magnificent places... It's well worth the visit if anyone ever gets the chance, and I've come away completely inspired with new musical ideas which will for sure feed into my next musical project...

Ariel view of Grand Canyon on journey between Phoenix and Boise

Landscape around Phoenix, Arizona

Steve in Monument Valley

Steve on horse on overhang in Monument Valley

Monument Valley

Steve playing guitar in Sedona

Steve, Jo, Franck and Leigh in Winslow. Statues of Eagles members in background...