Monument Valley, UtahMay 7, 2010
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This morning, we headed further into Navajo country. We turned just out of Chinle onto what my map calls an "Indian road" which would be a short-cut to Monument Valley. John talked with one of our neighbors last night who had come that way the day before. They assured us the road was paved and there were no attacks by Indians in the many passes and indeed, we managed a safe journey.
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It didn't seem possible that the scenery could get any prettier or redder, but it did. We passed through a couple of very small communities and finally reached Kayenta, where we turned and headed across the Utah border, where Monument Valley is officially. It actually covers an area in both Arizona and Utah but the headquarters is in Utah.
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We are staying the weekend at Gouldings RV Park across from Monument Valley headquarters. We have limited cable and internet connections, but at least it is something. We have a nice level site with views of massive red rock formations out every window. They have a motel, grocery store, gas station, dining room, indoor pool, and laundromat, in addition to the RV park.
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The Gouldings bought several acres here back in the 1920's. When the depression hit, they needed some way of bringing people to their businesses here in Monument Valley. They approached John Ford, the director of western movies and showed him pictures of this beautiful country. That started a relationship which resulted in many of the John Wayne/John Ford westerns that were made here. It is because of those movies that Monument Valley is so popular. However, some of the Navajo people do not want commercial activities in the Valley because it is also a spiritual place for their people. They want to keep it for themselves.
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We have signed up for an all day tour tomorrow of Monument Valley. Since the internet here is very slow, I will not post my pictures until we reach a better location.
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NOTE: Please see posting dated May 16, 2010, for pictures of Monument Valley.
