Mariko Update, the Page Shores Amphitheater and the New Wave's rock formations

Update on my Suzuki Samurai: Mariko.  The mechanic in Page, AZ found the problem.  The ECM or Electronics Control Module (I didn't even realize it had one!) had fried and taken out the fusible link along with it.

It took the mechanic, Mike, who is the owner of Sunwest Marine, Auto and RV, a long time to trace down the mystery current draw in the Samurai's electronics; but as soon as he disconnected the ECM, the mystery current draw was gone!  I don't think I would have ever found the damn thing, not even knowing it was there.

However, the Samurai's ECM is no longer made by Hitachi and Mike was unable to locate a used one nearby , his online parts guy only finding one in New York state.  I told him never mind, hook everything up he'd disconnected while troubleshooting, and that I'd pick up the Samurai today.

Yesterday, I rode Yagi, my TW200 motorcycle over to the Page Shores Amphitheater to check out it's rock formations.  You see, the amphitheater itself uses natural rock formations to form the stage.

Today, March 30, after I picked up Mariko from the mechanic, I went for a hike in the nearby "New Wave" Rock Formations.  New Wave, I assume, being a nod to "The Wave", which is a very cool rock formation close to Kanab, UT I believe.

The Beehive Campground 

Can you spot the cave-like formation in the pic above?

Zooming in...

I'll be leaving the Page, AZ area tomorrow, heading towards New Mexico, meandering my way east towards I-25.  

The Rock Formations of Lees Ferry and Sunset Colors on Lake Powell, AZ

 Here's yesterday's night sunset's light on a nearby peak, as seen from the VRRV:

The Vermillion Cliffs in the same sunset's lighting:

Sunday, March 28

I rode Yagi, my Yamaha TW200 Dual Sport over to nearby Lees Ferry, this time to capture the rock formations contained within this area.  This area is also part of the Glen Canyon Recreation Area.  The focus this time was on the rock formations as they were lit by the early to mid-morning sunshine.

Upon returning to the campsite, I broke camp, loaded up Yagi onto the VRRV's front rack and off we drove from Vermillion Cliffs to US89 and north towards Page, AZ.  It's at Page where the Sunwest Marine, RV and Auto Repair.  They seemed quite experienced and were available to hopefully diagnose the electrical issues on Mariko on Monday this week.

After I dropped off Mariko, with the owner's help, who happened to be there helping out another person on a boat's engine.  I think he was there for other than work reasons but he was still helping out the boat guy and me!

Anyway, I headed across town and past the Glen Canyon Dam to the Beehive Campground belonging to the National Park Service.  It's located near the Wahweap Marina where I've stayed before with Martha, in fact you can see the marina in the background of the below picture:

Looking towards Glen Canyon Dam

Shortly after 6PM, I headed with Yagi over to the Wahweap Overlook area to catch the sunset colors on the rock formations bordering Lake Powell and beyond.

Most of the above formations are visible from the campsite, so I'll try to see if there's further need to go to the overlook for future sunset shots!

Hanging out at the campsite near Badger Canyon

Stayed around the campsite all day, wasn't feeling up to dealing with the crowds expected both at Lees Ferry and the Cathedral Wash area within.  At least, that's what the guy at the visitor center told me yesterday.

Hopefully, it'll be less crowded on Sunday, tomorrow.

Spent quite a bit of time shooting pictures of the canyon scenery a short-ish walk down from the plateau where the campsite is located.  The skies were clear and the sun was out in force, making things seem warmer than the mid-40s and low 50s of the morning.

As I shot pictures of the canyon, I happen to spot five boats across the river.  They'd apparently, their crews/passengers, spent the night down there.  Seems like a cool thing to do to me.

Badger Canyon, the campsite plateau is to the right

Very soon after I shot the above pic, I heard what sounded like distant thunder's rumbling noises.  Curious, I headed up a bit and was able to spot and somewhat capture the aftermath of a small rock fall!

This is the canyon angle with the Colorado River, that I shot several times during the morning/early afternoon; as I waited for the boaters to pack up and leave.

Can you see the boaters on the left bank, about the middle?

Using maximum optical zoom, about 720mm supposedly

Last shot with the sun overhead, around 1PM at this point

Pano of the Vermillion Cliffs

Some more boaters showed up and I watched them negotiate Badger Creek Falls:

Looks like this group will be setting up camp on this side of the

Colorado River, I'll try and remember to check on them tomorrow.

Had the whole campsite to myself most of the afternoon, as evening neared though, two separate car campers showed up and setup along the rim of the camping area.  Oh well.