Arizona's Rainbow Bridge, a natural wonder of the world

THE MAGNIFICENT RAINBOW BRIDGE IN ARIZONA, ONE OF THE NATURAL WONDERS OF THE WORLD
This massive sandstone arch in the Lake Powell area was in 1910, proclaimed one of the natural wonders of the world. Turning a corner after negotiating a watery passageway through cliffs that tower hundreds of feet overhead and walking for close to an hour along a lonely trail, I saw the Rainbow Bridge in all its fiery splendour at the approach of sunset.

Sacred to the Navajo people, it is said to be disrespectful to walk beneath the arch. But another opinion prevails according to our guide. The Paiute people who have been resident here for thousands of years before the Navajo, believe that to walk beneath its towering presence is to bring nothing but good.

The Navajo name for the Rainbow Bridge is “nonnezoshi” - rainbow turned to stone. Stretching 275 feet across a small meandering river, this stone monument was created by time, wind, rain and erosion from an ancient sea.


Photograph copyright Anne Gordon



Posted by Anne Gordon on Friday, 4th November, 2011