Monument Valley

This drive to Monument, only broken up by uncertainty regarding the truck routes etc. was filled with amazing views. Once we turned up to head North on 98 each turn in the road offered a vista of the Mountains and Mesa.

The Valley

The magnificent Monument Valley stretches to the northeast of Kayenta into Utah. At a base altitude of about 5,500 feet, the sprawling, arid expanse was once populated by Ancestral Puebloan people (more popularly known by the Navajo word “Anasazi,” which means both “ancient ones” and “ancient enemies”) and in the last few centuries has been home to generations of Navajo farmers. The soaring red buttes, eroded mesas, deep canyons, and naturally sculpted rock formations of Monument Valley are easy to enjoy on a leisurely drive.

Gouldings

As we turned east to enter the Tribal Park the stone monuments began to appear. El Capitan (Agathlan) greeted us. Entering the RV Park was just as spectacular. As for the park, itself, again a perfect place to stop. The streets are well-maintained blacktop, the pads are stone but very level and it was a breeze setting up. They have an indoor pool and the laundry and bath house looked very clean.

There is very little green space it any I could find. I could walk Zoey on the drives or up a path leading to great views of the Park and an arch. Caroline had the end spot that looked straight down the canyon to the park and great sunrise’s. There is a walking path that will take you to a natural bridge and a great view of the of the park. We took the dogs and walked this path. They handled it well I thought.

Morning Deluxe Tour

We were greeted with very cool temps on day two in the early am. We had planned a tour of the Park that morning. We all got into our cool weather gear, me my long johns and such and headed over to the pick-up site. The tour bus was driven by Don a native Indian, the bus was open air with the exception of a piece of plex on the front end. Caroline instructed us to sit on the left-hand side of the bus for the best views.

It was very cool riding in that bus with 35-degree temps and wind chill from the ride. The park was beyond description or pictures. All the spaghetti westerns you have ever seen filmed here came rushing back with every turn we made The tour took us back into area’s that only the tribe can go with tour buses. The road was dirt and stone for the most part throughout the park. I would have hated to take the truck down that road and back. I would highly recommend the tour bus anytime we go. The native area continued to give us fantastic views of the park.

Here is how this tour is described. Cost Per Person $75.00 + tip

The tour covers the basic 17-mile loop on Monument Valley and visits some restricted backcountry stops. You will view many of the famous monuments on this tour; in particular, you will make a stop at the east and west Mitten viewpoints, John Fords’ point, and Three Sisters viewpoint. The Totem pole, Artists Point and the North Window viewpoints. In the backcountry you will make stops at the Sun’s Eye, ar of the Wind; this area of the Navajo Tribal Park includes hidden treasures, such as natural arches, and provides a different viewpoint than the 17-mile loop road. This tour offers you the opportunity to visit an authentic Navajo Hogan at a local residence where you will view a rug-weaving demo by a member of the local Navajo family. Approximate duration of the tour is 3.5 hours

Navajo Family Compound

We stopped at Don’s family compound and were given a demonstration of weaving and life on the reservation. All of their water is carried in, there is no electricity unless it is solar or generated. As we rode around the reservation we came upon some amazing natural bridges and sites. The eye in the sky was one. It was hard to capture the correct perspective with a camera. These rock formations were 9 and 10 stores high, we looked like ants next to them. This area, in general, would be a great place to stay a few days and explore. That evening the winds once again came up. RV park located in the canyon west of the Park only intensified them. We held on through the night, they calmed around 10 the evening and we woke to a beautiful sunrise.

Off To Vegas

We pack up and headed to St. George, the ride there was just spectacular again. We once again struggled with fuel stops but managed to find what we needed.