A few days out in the new Terra LX motor home we found
ourselves stopping to visit Monument Valley as part of our journey to the
National Parks of Southern Utah and Arizona. We totally loved spending two days
here. The Vast Scenery and COLORS were amazing. Reds and Oranges, Buttes and
Mesas. We went with Gouldings Tour Company and a Navajo Guide named Bennett. He
was a great driver and had a vehicle that could handle the bumpy, dusty, rough
road. Two other couples; one from France
and the other from Vancouver Island in Canada were part of our group. We
made frequent stops to get out and view each area. Sometimes confused as a 
National Park, it is really a Navajo Tribal Park on which you become their
welcomed guest. Best access was with a Navajo guide like ours, who can take you
to the more remote back country dirt roads. Had we driven on our own, it would
have been much less enjoyable This
reservation still has about 7 families who live there -- with no running water
or electricity. It is a hard life...and testimony to the perseverance of the
Navajo people to still endure. The sights are part of the memory of John Wayne
and John Ford western movie buffs - but the actual land is more striking than
the best film made.
Our guide was so knowledgeable and informative. He spoke of
Navajo Tradition and also Navajo life of today. His expertise added so much to
our understanding.
 |
| Inside a hogan |
 |
| Navajo grandmother weaving a storm design rug which takes 3 months |
 |
| Visiting inside a hogan demonstration |
 |
| Hogan exterior covered in mud |
He took us for a demonstration inside a hogan. His elderly
grandmother showed us all how she carded and spun wool for weaving her storm
design rug on a loom.
Another one of the popular stops was John Ford's Point.
It was his favorite location to direct and film 'Western' movies. This is the
classic movie backdrop you may recognize. We thoroughly enjoyed our adventure
and felt like the fee was well worth it for the four hours with Bennett who
grew up on the reservation in the valley. Not only did he drive us along 17
miles of dirt roads to see the incredible rock formations up close in the late
afternoon, but also to watch the sunset and the rise of a full moon.
Quite an
experience! The scenery in Monument Valley is fantastic and adds a whole new
dimension to one’s exploration of parks and monuments in Utah. It will be a
memorable part of your journey… so if you are ever anywhere nearby, you owe
yourself to put this beautiful place on your bucket list.
