We have spent the last 5 days in Monument Valley, right on the border of Arizona and Utah. It is part of the Navajo Nation, the largest reservation in the continental USA. We stayed at Goulding's Camp Park which was founded in the 1920's. Mr. Goulding came to the area to buy sheep from the natives and liked it so much he and his wife moved there and built an Inn for overnight visitors who they would take on tours of the Valley. During the depression he went to Hollywood and talked John Ford into filming his new movie "Stage Coach" in the valley. This not only helped him but the Navajo as well. John Wayne fell in love with the area and came back many times to visit. Our camp site had a great view of some of the monuments. We drove the 17 mile scenic drive and stopped at one of the Navajo stalls, selling locally made jewelry. Josie bought two authentic Native bracelets for her granddaughters, Abby and Anne.
One day we took a road trip to Natural Bridges National Monument, 50 miles to the north. On the way we stopped at the spot on Highway 163 where Forest Gump stopped his 3 year run. You may recognize it from the first picture below. We marveled at the colors of the layers of rock on the hill- side. We then stopped at Gooseneck State Park, where the San Juan River makes two 180 degree turns. The river flows 5 miles just to go 11/2 miles in distance. We then drove the Moki Dugway, a cut that switchbacks up the plateau, and cuts 30 miles off the trip north. This remote area is open range and we had to slow down a few times to let the cattle cross the road. There were many calves in the herd, and I think Josie would have rustled the calf with the #1 tag in it's ear and brought him home, if we had the room.
One day we took a road trip to Natural Bridges National Monument, 50 miles to the north. On the way we stopped at the spot on Highway 163 where Forest Gump stopped his 3 year run. You may recognize it from in the first picture below. We marveled at the colors of the layers of rock on the hill side. We then stopped at Gooseneck State Park, where the San Juan river makes two 180 degree turns. The river flows 5 miles just to go 11/2 miles in distance. We then drove the Moki Dugway a cut that switchbacks up the plateau, and cuts 30 miles off the trip north. THis remote area is open range and we had to slow down a few times to let the cattle cross the road. There were many calf's in the herd.
On our final night in the Valley we had dinner at the View Lodge. Josie had her first Navajo Taco and I had the Green Chili Stew. The food was as good as the view.
We left the Valley and headed east, stopping along the way to visit the Four Corners. Josie did her best Yoga pose to be in four states at one time. New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado.
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