What a disappointing experience we had! We embarked on a trip from California to Utah to Arizona,hoping for something extraordinary. Upon arrival, we were met with a rather lackluster situation. To begin with, we had to purchase tickets to be shuttled around on a tour that only consisted of two stops. The ticket prices seemed to be plucked out of thin air, and we were informed they could change at any moment. It was unclear whether the prices were going up or down. Despite our skepticism, we reluctantly bought two general admission tickets for $123.00, only to receive a mere $5.00 back in return.
Feeling cheated from the start, we decided to salvage what we could of the trip. We took a 25-minute drive to Meadowview, where we discovered a silver lining. I highly recommend visiting Pierce Ferry for its breathtaking views of the Colorado River. The drive through the park was truly picturesque. The next morning, we returned to our original destination, where we embarked on what can only be described as a disappointingly commercialized tour. While the canyon itself was undeniably beautiful, it was a confined and relatively small area. Our hopes were rekindled when a kind informant shared a secret hike located near the zip line. This hike spanned three miles along the stunning cliffs, providing a much-needed respite from the underwhelming experience. Thank goodness for that!
However, our disappointment didn't end there. We were taken advantage of financially. In addition to the $125.00 admission fee, we spent $54.00 on two fry bread tacos that left our wallets feeling considerably lighter. To add insult to injury, we encountered an elder Native woman who claimed to sell "authentic" turquoise jewelry that she supposedly crafted herself. As it turned out, the jewelry was made from howlite and tin, a far cry from genuine turquoise. It felt like a complete rip-off, both figuratively and literally! The highlight of our encounter was when she confidently proclaimed, "You won't find this authentic Native jewelry anywhere else." I knew better, I did. However, in just ten minutes, she managed to swindle a whopping $140.00 from both me and an unsuspecting elderly gentleman.
All in all, our trip was a rollercoaster of disappointment and fleeting moments of satisfaction. It serves as a reminder to be cautious when partaking in tourist experiences and to always be aware of dubious claims.
P/S most of the staff were unwelcoming and cold.