Blog 1.6

I’m not sure if it was the sound of coyotes or dogs that woke us up, but some sort of howl broke the silence this morning. Yet again, chasing a sunrise, we made our way in to the Navajo tribal park called “Monument Valley”. This piece of land has been featured in many classic western movies as well as several modern blockbusters, and rightfully so, the landscape is spectacular.

The storm from the previous night was still lingering during sunrise but it did clear up just enough for some color to break through. After watching the sun come up from behind the famous Mittens and Merrick Butte we made our way in to the park to see what else it had to offer.

The Mittens and Merrick Butte at Sunrise

Jamie photographing Totem Pole Butte and Yei Bi Chei 📸 (Chantelle)

Chantelle with Totem Pole Butte and Yei Bi Chei in the distance

Having already spent an hour driving through the park we decided to stop and have some lunch at Code Talker Point (previously Artists Point). The view over the valley combined with the colors of the desert made for one very spectacular spot to sit and eat a sandwich.

With lunch all done we made our way through the rest of the park, stopping at every view point we could, there were photo opportunities around every corner. If I were to ever come back, I would probably book one of the Navajo guides who will take you camping in parts of the park only accessible by horse.

The view from Code Talker Point (previously Artists Point)

The sun breaks through the clouds lighting the Butte

As we neared the end of the park loop Chantelle stopped to look through some of the jewelry being sold by the local vendors. She ended up buying some earrings and a ring from a woman who had grown up at Monument Valley, her family had a deep connection to the land and even had a butte (Cly Butte) named after them.

Chantelle looking for some jewelry from a local Navajo artist

An old tree frames a butte in the distance

Navajo Hogan and Sweat lodge 📸 (Chantelle)

After we left the park we stopped at Gouldings Lodge, the location of an old trading post right by Monument Valley. Today it’s a hotel and campground, but according to the vendor Chantelle had purchased jewelry from, it also had a small museum that was by donation.

An old wagon with Monument Valley in the background

Photo of Happy and Willie Cly 📸 (Chantelle)

Home of Harry and Leone (aka “Mike”) Goulding 📸 (Chantelle)

The weather was pretty nice when we went in to the museum, but it was a complete monsoon when we came out. We jumped in the van and drove out to “Forrest Gump Point” not far from Monument Valley (the famous spot where Forrest stops running in the movie) and had some snacks while we waited out the rain. Once the rain subsided we jumped out and grabbed a couple shots of this famous location, with about 20 other people waiting to do the same thing. While I was taking a shot of the road, Chantelle spotted a coyote walking through the desert behind us. I hustled over to take a few shots of it, when all of a sudden one of the vendors started yelling and throwing rocks towards the coyote, scaring the absolute hell out of me 😅. The coyote, from what I understand, is a bit of trickster in Navajo culture which is why she was doing that.

The iconic strip of road made famous in the movie “Forrest Gump”

A coyote walks through the desert as a rain storm passes through

The coyote watches the highway looking for a safe time to cross

Feeling like we had seen a lot of what Monument Valley had to offer, we set off towards “Horseshoe Bend” down in Arizona. Half way there we came across an abandoned gas station that had some great murals/graffiti on it which warranted a quick pit stop.

Abandoned gas station covered in graffiti

After several hours of driving we managed to make it to Horseshoe Bend just before sunset. It was a very easy paved path that takes you to the view point, so there were a ton of people at this spot (even two different wedding parties doing their photos). Luckily, with the right angle, a very wide lens and a bit of patience, you could eventually get a photo without someone in the frame. Although the lack of safety railings makes for amazing natural views, the people in high heels standing on the edge of a cliff taking selfies was a little unsettling 😅.

Once the dark started to roll in it was time to head back towards Utah and north towards Bryce Canyon. A huge rain storm followed us for most of the drive, the lightning in the distance creating silhouettes of the mountains and landscape around us. I pushed through most of the night and got us to a spot not far from Bryce before calling it quits to get some rest.

Blog 1.7

Blog 1.5