Heading West - Durrango to Monument Valley

OK we’re now way behind, and as I write this there are only 5 days left. But never fear will will finish the trip, even if we do the last week or so when we're home....

We left Durango and headed west. As usual the road provided some interesting sights along the away, and many weren't scenery related.

First stop, after about 45 mins, was Mesa Verde National Park. The following has been ripped straight from the US National Park website

“Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to 1300. Today the park protects nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.”

Cliff Dwellings

Cam down in the bottom Floor of a dwelling (Kiva)

Dan and Cam in the Kiva

Kiva without the roof

Down in the Kiva

 Anyway these were pretty interesting, plus there was some stunning scenery to as well. We spent a good 4 hours exploring some of the ruins, but really you need a couple of days to see the most of it. We bought Cam some binoculars here so he could spot some wild life. He’s obsessed with Squirrels and Chipmunks.

 

Prehistoric Corn

 After that it was in the car for a few hours and off to 4 Corners National Monument. This is the only place in the United States where four states intersect at one point: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. Obviously we had to have the photo that everyone does, each of us standing in a different state.

4 Corners. Calum  - Colorado , Jo - New Mexico, Cam - Arizona, Dan - Utah

After that we headed off to Monument Valley. The drive there had yet more great scenery. There is so much to see that I found the 2 hours went quite quickly.

Little Dust Devil

He's got my vote

As we go closer the rocks and sand got redder and redder
 

 At Monument Valley we stayed, for 2 nights, in the View Hotel which is the only hotel on the Navajo reservation, and where every room overlooks the valley. The only down side is that as it is on the reservation there is no alcohol for sale. The view really called for  appreciating whilst enjoying a few a beers/wines. The non-alcoholic beer and wines really didn’t cut it.

The view is quite amazing and the colours on the rock change with the light. I was quite taken with it and took way to many photos.

Sunset from our Room

Looking Further around

Sunset Complete (I'm tempted to print this one)

The next day we woke early enough to watch the sun come up. 

Sunrise 11 Oct 12

Then after breakfast we did a tour, on the back of a truck with a Navajo guide into the reservation. You can drive in there yourselves, to a point, but with a guide you can go further. He took use to a look a great places for photos but we were a little disappointed as he didn’t really cover the local Navajo legends and stories. The desert was quite green all things considered, and a little cooler than I expected.

Eye of the Wind

Cam looking for critters

Ancient Rock Markings

Chiefs Head

You could pay to sit n the horse and have your photo taken... Pity our guide hurried u away as I was keen

Three Sisters

Us at Eye of the Wind

 The tour only took 3 hours so the kids and I had a lazy afternoon (I checked out the visitors centre, then spent time watching the rocks, Danielle did homework and Cameron annoyed the pair of us. Jo had the now familiar chore of finding a place to do washing.

This is another favourite Picture of mine

Dan and Jo in the Room

 After 2 days here we awoke to a wet and cold Monument Valley so out came the winter clothes Jo had just packed away the day before. We were going to need these later on that day.

Wet rocks

Ok I've probably bored with the photos of the red rocks so we'll move on.

After breakfast  hit the road heading for the Grand Canyon.On the way it occurred to me that many people out here appear to missed out on the American dream, lots live in pretty poor housing, things like caravans, or rough shanty houses in the desert by the side of the road. 

Til next time....