Today I woke early and saw a most beautiful sunrise over Navajo Mountain, in the company of a bunny. After breakfast we drove out to Gouldings Lodge in the Navajo Nation for a “jeep” tour of Monument Valley, known as John Wayne country for all the westerns filmed here. After our tour, we enjoyed Navajo tacos for lunch and then traveled back to Lake Powell for our second night. On the bus we watched Henry Fonda in My Darling Clementine, (1946) shot by John Ford in Monument Valley. Classic line: Wyatt Earp: Mac, you ever been in love? Mac: No, I've been a bartender all me life.
Gorgeous sunrise over Navajo Mountain
sun’s up!
also an early riser
Colorado river below the dam
river gorge
power lines near dam
beautiful scenery into Utah
ancient volcanic plug
traditional male Hogan was for sacred or private ceremonies.
Female Hogan is the primary traditional home of the Navajo
sweat lodge
Driving by Monument Valley on our way to Goulding’s Lodge
most of the formations have names. this is the Right Mitten
our driver drove on the pink dusty road to photo stops-
-like this one. Sentinel Mesa at left.
Henry Ford as Wyatt Earp, 1946
2008. look familiar? Where’s my horse!
Left Mitten (l), and Merrick Butte (r)
the road is very dusty, so were we! Elephant Butte center right.
for 2 dollars, you can take his picture (without the people)
Three Sisters (as in nuns) and Mitchell Mesa
View of John Ford’s Point (promontory) from parking lot
everyone has to get “the shot”
North Window-gap between the edges of Elephant and Cly Buttes
Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park
The Thumb
Kelly’s always watching over us
West Mitten & Big Chief Buttes, Sentinel Mesa, The King on His Throne, Castle & Stagecoach Buttes
back at Goulding’s Lodge for lunch.Mr. and Mrs. Goulding were lifelong friends of the Navajo people.
Museum is housed in the original Trading Post and home of Harry and 'Mike" Goulding.
John Wayne’s cabin
Harry brought movie director John Ford to Monument Valley.
Speaks for itself
The must have driven the Valley Drive.
at Gouldong’s Lodge
Navajos are very poor by our standards
modern housing, but still modest
a storm is coming
clouds are dramatic
Echo Cliffs and Vermillion Cliffs
near Page, AZ
Power plant for Glen Canyon Dam
early evening, the Desert Jackrabbits come out
both nights, the fire dept. was running drills in the back lot
clean your boat before launching it
Mussels must be a big problem in the Lake
rent one, big or small
