Dy 2 Monument Valley- Arizona Utah border

 

  We are heading to see Monument Valley tomorrow and wanted to stay in the  nearest town called Kayenta, about twenty miles to its south. But rooms were all taken up,  and so at the days end in Grand Canyon, had to drive all the way to Flagstaff.

 

In the morning we drove through the desert road  from Flagstaff to Monument Valley.

  From Flagstaff, travel north on Highway 89 to Highway 160. Travel east on Highway 160 to Highway 163 (Kayenta exit). and  then take Indian Route 40 southeast to the entrance to Monument Valley. 

  

 In the heat of the desert stands the huge Utah good bye sign.

 

 Arizona state line.

 

 Under the sign board the heat is bearable.

After entering Utah,  on Route 163,  one has to re enter Arizona  by turning right , a few miles ahead  to reach monument valley welcome center. Admission to the park is $5 per person, and free for children under the age of 9.

The Valley is spread over a huge area (but the  park area is much small -  shown in green shade;  spread evenly across Utah (top) and Arizona (bottom)

But the neighboring Oljato Valley -   in pink - is fully inside Utah

Distant view of the visitor  center

At the visitor center, of Monument Valley  there is a souvenir shop of hand-crafted Native American Arts and Crafts, and a restaurant that serves Indian (American Native)  food.

Inside the cool restaurant operated by the native Indians, the outside heat is a deceptively distant. Alcohol free -  restaurant do not serve even beer or wine.    

The Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park maintains a visitor center, campground, and restaurant. The  ramparts of the visitor center, offers a photo location. From the  Lookout Point  you will get a good views across three of the valley's most photographed peaks - East and West Mitten Buttes, and Merrick Butte. Butte is the rock formations standing high.

The view from Lookout Point is spectacular,  but most of the Navajo Tribal Park can only be seen by taking  the Valley Drive - a 18 mile dust road which starts at the visitor center and heads through the towering cliffs and mesas.

 

 The parking lot. One can drive the dusty roads of the valley in the cool comfort of the car; and get the close up view of the famous  peaks.

 

Typical journey around the loop takes about 2 hours. Tourists are not allowed to hike away from the road  towards any of the formations

  

  

Boiling - as the  desert sand may be, it is full of virulent life.  As I was taking the  picture of our  dust coated car, an ant sped up the legs and bit me by the knee. The bump etched and remained swollen for a couple of days.

 

Over the years, Monument Valley has been the setting for many Western movies than any other site in the United States. Unique sandstone formations, of the Navajo Indian Nation in Monument Valley define this vast, open desert region.

The place is an Indian reservation. More than 300,000 Navajo Indian Tribe people   live in the 16 million acre Navajo Nation.

The  theme song of one my favourite films Mackennas' Gold, "Old Turkey Buzzard",  was shot at Monument Valley. But the film was shot mainly at Glen Canyon, where  we will go, tomorrow.

Three sisters rock formation.

Some trees survive here.

Monument Valley was created as stones  eroded from the  Rocky Mountains, and was turned into sandstone. The formations you see in the valley were left over after the forces of erosion worked their magic on the sandstone for millions of years.

Wind and water then eroded the land, and the cracks deepened and widened into gullies and canyons, which eventually became the scenery you see today. Natural forces like wind and heat continue to shape the land.

Our   2.5 liter rented Nissan negotiated the dust roads without a hitch.
Here she is, dusty and hot like a ദോശക്കല്ല്