Mon & Tues, Sept 9 & 10, 2024

… needs it’s OWN post. I thought I could blog the rest of our trip on one post, but there is no way. Joe and I both took TONS of photos; Joe with his upgraded iPhone 15 Max, and me with my Samsung Ultra 24.  I just spent several hours today editing pics from JUST these 2 days and realized this is all I can work on in one day!

After leaving Canyon de Chelly, we stopped for lunch.  When in Navajo country, eat Navajo food:

We got comfortable on our balcony and stayed there until the stars came out.  You just don’t get a view like this every day.

I had fun trying to take pictures of stars with the monuments, but it didn’t quite work.  So, instead, I looked to the left and saw this.

I ALMOST missed the sunrise on Tuesday morning.  Thank you, God, for waking me up.

There isn’t a whole lot to do at Monument Valley, just like there isn’t a lot to do at the Grand Canyon. That is, if you don’t hike or take tours.

We enjoyed our day visiting Gouldings and the museum, taking a drive out to the Forrest Gump road, seeing Mexican Hat, and then doing our own little trek down into the Valley.  I was very happy we had a rental car!

It’s just fun to drive around and take pictures!

We took a little nap in the afternoon and then got ready for our 5 PM Dreamcatcher Jeep and Dinner Experience.  There were only 8 of us on our 5 hour tour down into the valley.  We saw areas that can only be visited with a Navajo guide.

Today, there are 14 families living in the Valley with no electricity or running water.  I would not want to travel the 17-mile road, with all the tourists, just to haul water. 

Jamie timed it so he could sing and play his flute just for the 8 of us in this sacred spot.  So special.

It was a very unique experience to eat dinner in the heart of Monument Valley while the daylight dimmed and the stars came out.  The ONLY light was a campfire.  And for the curious, there were no bathroom facilities.  We were OUT THERE.

After the meal was done and cleaned up, we were introduced to two Navajo men who were born and raised in the Valley.  One told us about the Navajo culture and his experiences living in the Valley, while the other man arrived in traditional costume and danced. 

Joe even got called on, and they sang the Navajo version of Happy Birthday to him!

On our way back through the Valley, we caught some amazing views ….

It was a very special and sacred two days. 

If you plan on going to Monument Valley, I highly recommend you stay at The View Hotel.  Don’t eat there, but instead have a “balcony picnic” as you watch the Light transform the Valley.  

 

---