Horseshoe Bend, just outside of Page, is an often photographed portion of the Colorado River and my sunrise photo destination this morning. I am quickly back in the SUV to reach the Paria Ranger Contact Station by 9am to enter the daily lottery for one of ten walk-in permits to access the North Coyote Buttes restricted area. With 54 similarly hopeful photographers present this day I would not win a coveted pass to one of the most photogenic destinations in the USA. I simultaneously entered the lottery for the South Coyote Buttes area, almost as beautiful but more arduous to reach. With only twelve people vying for the 10 permits I like my chances much better. Alas with 6 permits issued a family of 5 wins the next drawing leaving me out of luck again. But wait….there are only four permits left so the family must either leave someone behind or relinquish their position. They are unwilling to separate so I luck into a pass which will grant me access on Wednesday.