MONUMENT VALLEY

We had the most spectacular drive from Mesa Verde to Monument Valley, the mesas and canyons were every shade of pink, coral, grey, sage with blue skies and puffy white clouds.  We saw our first arch in the rocks as we drove over.   We all got out of our vehicles in Monument Valley raving about what we had just seen.  Luanne said Monument Valley was great but that the drive over had been just as good!

We split up in the afternoon, Luanne going for a rock scramble of a hike, BJ, Christine, Jeanne and I went exploring and poking our noses into the gift shops and scouting out a place for dinner.  We went to the Navajo Tribal Center where they have a museum, gift shop and spectacular views of the Valley from balcony which surrounds the building.  They also had the restaurant we chose for dinner, one which served traditional Navajo dishes for a very reasonable rate.  

Back we went that evening to green chili chicken stew and a HUGE serving of indian fry bread with mountain honey..YUM.. and traditional Navajo tacos.  We were all very happy campers when we left there.  

This morning we were up at 6 to go into the Valley for the drive through the Valley floor and spectacular views of the rock formations which dot the Valley.

After our morning exploring we were on the road again, destination Moab, and thankfully at least three nights here without moving.  We are all ready to settle into one spot for a while.  Our campground here is very nice, on a high hill with a nice breeze surounded by buttes and craggy rocks.  And it has grass!!!!!!  

The lineup..Luanne...Diane...Jeanne and me!

The horses, dogs and cats run free on the reservation.

I can't take credit for these fabulous images of grandmother's from the reservation.  They were displayed in the museum and I simply too a picture of the picture because I thought they were so beautiful!

Me and Christine with "The Duke".  SHE WORE A YELLOW RIBBON and many other films were made in the Valley.

Jeanne and Christine about to get on the stagecoach to head for the hills!

Notice the two formations that are called THE MITTENS, pretty obvious why!

Me, BJ, Jeanne, Luanne, Erlene, Christine and Diane

Luanne, Diane and BJ

This is typical of the HOGAN, the houses of the Navajo Indians.  Today they are used mainly for religious services.

This formation is called THE THREE SISTERS.  It is one of the more famous formations in the Valley.  Jeanne read that it is two nuns and the tiny one tucked in front of the one on the left is a novitiate.  I don't know what it is but find it absolutely awesome that you can actually see the figures in these rocks.