Utah Fall Shoulder Season Vacation – Oct 25th – Nov 4th 2010
Monument Valley
words and photos by Sharon Bader and Lee Lau unless otherwise noted.
We vistited Monument Valley on one of our previous big Utah trips back in
2000. At that time we stayed at a really cool campground overlooking the Valley.
I guess it shouldn’t have been a surprise, but this camground is now the location
of the View Hotel. The camground is in a now cleared out open area a bit further away with no trees and very
exposed to wind and sun. So we stayed in the hotel which was pretty nice and
offered a great view of Monument Valley!
Give it to the Navajo. This area was inhabited by them for thousands of years,
but didn’t really offer any kind of significance. It was made famous by Hollywood,
specifically John Wayne, and now the Navajo are capitolizing on it. Good for
them. Its still worth a visit.
Driving to Monument Valley via Zion.
Long and lonely roads. |
First view of Monument Valley
Hike where the old campground used to be!
The View Hotel and Monument Valley
Sunsetting.
Some old piece of machinery
Everyone is setting up for their shot!
Reflections
Sunset
Lobby of the View Hotel
Since we were planning on camping we were set up to cook… so we did!
Quick and dirty dinner!
Starry nights.
The next day we took a 2.5 hour guided drive to a
‘restricted area’ Not really worth it. Its good to use the Navajo guides on
the main tour so you don’t have to drive your own car, but the extra loop is not that worth it.
Monument Valley at Sunset.
Sunrise on the balcony
Sunrise
We started to hike the Wildcat trail but bailed and did the drive instead and then a ride.
Moonrise over the three sisters.
Rock art goats by the Pueblos – They were here before the Navajo.
Eye of the Sun arch
Lizard
Some families still live in the valley and are influenced by our modern times.
Then we hopped on our bikes and rode around the valley.
It was WINDY! Oakley Snapjackets are great in sandy wind!
Yup, its windy!
More starry shots
