Monument Valley

Sunset on West and East Mitten, Monument Valley

The four corners of Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico have always attracted us.  This area is so rich with beauty, history, archaeology and geology that it would take many visits to enjoy even a fraction of what is there.  Like many places that we have visited in the past few weeks, Monument Valley was a place we had passed through before but wanted to spend more time exploring. 



Hidden Arch near our campground

Monument Valley is located in the Navajo Nation and its name in Navajo means 'moonlight against the rocks.'  It is always an amazing place, but at night and with moonlight it becomes magical.  We just happened to arrive in time to take the last full moon tour of the season.  Our Navajo Guide drove us and 7 others into the back country to watch the moon rise over Monument Valley and to view the rock formations in the moonlight.  

Once the sun went down we huddled together to keep warm in the open vehicle.  Our guide, Bennett, told us stories of the Navajo in Monument Valley as well as the more recent history of movies and movie stars like John Wayne and Johnny Depp (who plays Tonto in a new movie to be out soon).

Our campsite in the Valley

 Navajo 'campground dog'

 

Many of the Navajo that live in the remote parts of the reservation still live with no electricity, water or indoor plumbing.  And much of the water must be hauled to their homes.  Children have long commutes to even get to the school bus stops and then longer rides into school.  David and I can vouch for the roughness of the roads.  Bennett joked that there were two road conditions, bad and worse.  He called the road that we were driving that night for our tour a 'Navajo Roller Coaster.'

Our campground was right in the valley and had wonderful views.  One of the local Navajo family's dog hung out at the campground.  He was so sweet and Maya loved him.  It was all we could do not to take him with us.  But we had to go so like the Navajo, we didn't say goodbye. The Navajo don't use a word for good bye, the translation is more like - 'see you when I see you.'

 

Eagle Mesa