Monument Valley

Our short 3 day visit to Monument Valley has been a real treat for both of us. This is one of those places I've always wanted to visit since, as a kid, I watched all of the westerns that were filmed here. The first night we stayed at Goulding's Lodge on the west side of the valley. It was old man Goulding who originally convinced John Ford to come here back in 1938 to scout the area as a location for "Stage Coach", the classic western starring John Wayne. That film opened the flood gates, with literally hundreds of movies using this stark landscape as backdrops. Even "Forrest Gump" had a scene filmed here.


Took a hike around the "West Mitten" on day 2. It was just outside our back door and centered a sweeping panoramic view over the Valley.


The present location of the Lodge was originally the film location for "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" starring John Wayne & Henry Ford. They've even kept a couple of the old cabins that were used as cavalry headquarters in the film. Really a neat place. The site commands some terrific views out over the valley - perfect I guess for both the movie and the hotel.

The second & third nights we stayed at the new View Hotel which is located in the eastern side of the valley on Navajo land. In fact it's an economic development initiative for the Navajo nation - owned & operated by members of the local tribe. Even the tour we took the 2nd day was hosted by a Navajo driver & guide.

The tour included a look back into "Mystery Valley", so named I'm told because it includes numerous ruins of the Anasazi people who lived here from around 1200 to 1400, then disappeared for some unknown reason - hence the "Mystery" part.


Old Anasazi dwelling up in one of the caves. We were able to climb up and take a look inside.


The view from one of our pit stops in Mystery Valley


Our trusty Indian guide fixing lunch - good burgers.



The tour provided several chances to scramble up & around some of the arches that housed the ruins. There's an Anasazi storeage area just to the left inside the arch. Pretty well preserved for being 600 years old. The wood in the lintel over the door looked like it had been cut and placed there last week.


Springtime in the desert - even the prickly pears were flowering.


Looking out of an abandoned Navajo dwelling towards one of the monoliths


Rita having her hair done in traditional fashion by a nice Navajo woman we met


One of many terrific vistas



All of the red sandstone monoliths reminded us very much of the area around Uluru and the Olgas in Australia. About the only detail missing that might have made the similarity complete was the lack of any Kangaroos jumping out of the bush.

When the wind kicked up in the afternoon we were pretty blanketed with red dust since the vehicle we were driving around in was open except for a roof to provide a sunshade. By the end of the day we were really looking forward to a hot shower.

Saw a few critters - mainly semi-wild ponies and cattle left to graze on the open range that must go for thousands of square miles. Apparently the way the Navajos control their stock is to ration the water from a few select points. All of the stock congregate there waiting for a drink in the midst of the harsh & arid landscape.

We're off for Mountain Home, Arkansas, tomorrow to visit the Jackson's. It'll take us 3 day to get there.