There remain a few little known locations out west.  The “Wave” formation was one of these until the early 1980’s when several photographs where published of this unique geological formation. Located in a remote area of the North Coyote Buttes section of the Paria - Vermilion Wilderness in northern Arizona, it soon became a very popular subject for photographers.  Now, because of enormous interest and the fragileness of the soft Navajo sandstone forming the “Wave” and the surrounding area a permit system restricts access to twenty people a day.  At peak times of the year, hundreds of people can participate in a lottery for one of the coveted spots. The first time I walked through the center of the “Wave”, examining the softly curving lines in the colorful layers of sandstone and their intricate textures, I felt like I was in the belly of some giant beast.