October 30, 2011 – Travel to Page, Arizona

We woke this morning to another wonderful sunrise:

 

Once we got our act together we left our spot in Monument Valley and headed west.

The strange rock formations continue to fascinate me:

 

Oh my, what are those up ahead:

The name of those rock formations above are called “Elephant Feet” – how funny!

Snow covered mountains in the distance:

Such beautiful horses everywhere:

 

Our first stop was Tuba City where there was a Navajo Museum and a Code Talkers Museum but alas, they were closed so we continued to US-89 and north to Page.

One of the first things we noticed were the colors of the rocks and the barrenness of the land:

 

Little pockets of civilization along the way:

Our lunch spot:

And the landscape changes again:

 

Heading up the “hill”:

 

Views from the overlook about halfway up:

Almost at the top – going thru the sandstone:

And we are on top of the plateau – that is Lake Powell and Page in the distance:

Check out the swirls in the rocks:

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Once in Page we stopped at Wal-Mart for some items then disconnected the car.  We wanted to check out the dump and the Elks.   At the Elks we meet up with Pam and Steve – great to see them again.  We will be with them for the Balloon Regatta this coming weekend.   So excited – :-))).

We went back to pick up our MH; did the dump thing and settled in here at the Elks.   Steve and Pam treated us to supper with Steve’s delicious chili – thank you so much.

The next couple of days we will checking out the sights so stay tuned.

 

Miles Traveled: 180 Miles

Routes Traveled: Arizona: Monument Valley Road

Utah: Monument Valley Road; US-163

Arizona: US-163; US-160; US-89; Lake Powell Blvd; Aqua Blvd.

October 29. 2011 – Monument Valley

We started our day by watching a BEAUTIFUL sunrise:

We then headed out to see Goulding's area.   Harry Goulding is most noted for introducing John Ford (director) to the Monument Valley area where many movies have been made.

His area consists of a “mini-town” amongst the rocks – gas stations, groceries, lodge, trading post, campground, museum.  We drove around the area and stopped at the museum.

The original trading post – now a museum:

  

My heroes -

Mike’s Potato Cellar – see above:

Area around Gouldings:

View from Gouldings:

We left there and continued on the 17 mile loop in Monument Valley – can I saw AWESOME again!  Enjoy:

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https://picasaweb.google.com/gardenhavens/102911MV?authuser=0&feat=directlink

This one is known as the “Totem Pole”.  Clint Eastwood and his film crew were airlifted to the top of this and photographed – can you imagine????

 

Can I continue to saw WOW!!!

And the incredible sunset photos:

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https://picasaweb.google.com/gardenhavens/102911SunsetSeries?authuser=0&feat=directlink

My FAVORITE photo of the trip:

And how do our little kitties feel about their surroundings?

Who me??

Is she talking to us?

WE WANT SNACKS!

Hope you have a wonderful day cause life is good!

October 28, 2011 Part 1 – Travel to Monument Valley

We left our little spot at the Elks, stopped at the Carwash on 20th and Dustin to dump and off went went to the west – :-).

(Note: Picture intensive blog!)

Shiprock seen from the town of Shiprock:

 

And the road goes on…  High Desert – Elevation over 4000’:

Cows/Cattle along the way:

AWESOME!:

Red sandy and rocks:

Into Arizona:

More cattle and horses – lots of wild horses:

The road continues on:

and on, but wait, what is that in the distance:

Huge rocks just jutting up from the landscape:

Waves in the rocks:

Strange swirls in the rocks - (aliens???):

Everything is so red:

Homes dotting the landscape:

A BIG home dotting the landscape:

More of those strange rocks:

Wonder what this means:

And they continue to get more numerous:

We stopped at the Burger King in Kayenta.   Although I am not a big fan of BK, this one had an exhibit on items from King Mike who was a Navajo Code Talker in World War II – very interesting.

Leaving Kayenta and heading into Monument Valley – more of those HUGE ROCKS:

 

And we have arrived!

(Because this is so picture intensive, I will have a part 2 for the rest of our day.

Miles Traveled: 155 Miles

Routes Traveled:

New Mexico: Airport Road; Municipal Drive, E 20th Street (stop to dump); E. 20th Street; Butler Avenue, US-64

Arizona: US-64; US-160; US-163;

Utah: US-163; Monument Valley Road

Arizona: Monument Valley Road