The pictures that appear on Google when Antelope Canyon is searched are breathtaking. But, what the pictures fail to depict is the popularity and crowds that the world famous slot canyon attracts.

After a long drive from Mesa Verde to the Grand Canyon, with several stops along the way, we woke up on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon at the North Rim Campground. For both of us, this was our first time at the Grand Canyon, and we have both agreed that it will not be our last.

Horseshoe bend: once a top secret local’s spot, turned Instagram famous. The small turnout off highway 89, south of Page, Arizona is now a mecca for tourists with a parking lot and an official trail being built for easy access to the famous bend in the Colorado River, less than a mile from the highway. After seeing countless pictures of Horseshoe bend, we knew it had to be apart of our trip.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park was our first real taste of the summer heat in the desert. Driving between Mesa Verde, Colorado and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona, we took a detour to check out the iconic Monument Valley.