Even though I’ve been many times in the states, a big desire of mine is to visit Monument Valley, Navajo Tribal Park. Maybe because of the TV or of the myth created around it; well, this year I decided to make a nice tour of the parks, my main itinerary is Monument, at least for my emotional level. The first halt I made was Page, a small city in the center of the district made of Canyon lands, Arches and Dead Horse Point. Arriving to Monument from Page you run through the 191, direction South crossing in sequence Monticello, Blanding and Bluff, you take direction Mexican Hat then continue until meeting on your right a small street full of Indian dealers that will escort you to Visitor Center. You can reach Monument arriving from South that is Kayenta; it is highly recommended to approach from North. Because the site of Monument reaches its highest majesty (imagine looking at a post card where the street finishes in the sky, surrounded of the steeples of Monument?).
The closes lodging is the Goulding’s Lodge practically in front of the street that brings you in the park. The owner (is what narrates the guides) was the real promoter of the valley in the period of the first western films. How ever this lodge (always full) is the best center where to find info of excursions in the valley. Excluding Goulding Lodge, one of the few choices is to lodge at Kayenta. Its good hour drives to reach Monument. There are only tree hotels, so it is recommended to reserve a room from home, other wise it will be very easy that you must sleep over night in your car. Coincidence, while the sun starts setting and the darkness approaching the price of the rooms gets higher, as it’s strange to see around 8.30 pm the lines in front of every hotel, for the race to the less expensive! The tree hotels are [Holiday Inn, Best Western “Wheterill Inn” and Hampton Inn]. I decided for the third and my choice turned right. The price (august 2002) was less then the others (even if they are all tree expensive enough) and is the newest. Specie rooms, clean and well kept; restaurant decorated Indian style, very pleasant and comfortable with prices strangely low, a nice chimney in the center, good quality of food! And also breakfast included in the price made of a grand buffet worthy of Las Vegas. I warmly suggest it.
When you reach the boarder Utah/Arizona what you strangely note is that you will not find written “Navajo reserve”, but much more justified “Navajo Nation”. In fact every thing you will see (even the trash cans) are marked with that writing. After a few miles in that area you realize that you’re not anymore in the states but, in another state. The Indians I met, the general store, the gas station, are people loath and reserved even if you find someone irritated. But that is their home and you must stay to their rules. When you pass Mexican Hat, the maps say you find Monument directly in front, so once you glimpse in distance the rocky forms your heart starts speeding you feel like you’re about to land on Mars. The view of Monument (arriving from North) is singular. The sky passes from a shade of light azure to the darkest blue creating a contrast with all the red dirt under; seams to be in an artificial place, and then you realize it’s all real. You start seeing on the background the peak of monument, I suggest stopping the car and getting out looking around you.
Besides the few car and many campers, you’ll find a very strange silence, interrupted by a light breeze moving the red sand. Be careful not to pass the entrance of the park, it’s practically at the end, and it’s easy to risk to pass. You find the entrance because of the many humble houses of the Indian dealers. The entrance coasts about 5$ per person. My advice is to have a nice land rover because the way is all dirt roads. Crossing the route made of many stop points you will have the possibility to admire the park from all its position, my advise, the most beautiful one is the John Ford (if you give 5 $ to the Indian with the red shirt on his horse he will go to a point he will let you take pictures!!), the Totem Pole and the Three Sisters but this is subjective. For who has more time I suggest the excursion with the Indian guide. When you decide to travel you must stay with every ones needs, so I enjoyed that hour and a half visiting one point view to the others.
A note….Monument Valley can not be an object of withdrawal. I just realized it writing this passage. It leaves such strong emotions inside they seam stamped in your mind and in your heart. Its color, the fashion, the mystery that is not possible to narrate or photograph, they go lived even if only for one second. When you see the two Mittens (one in Utah the other in Arizona) you finally understand why you went their. Something constant of Navajo Nation is the Indians booths and their articles. You practically find them all over the vista points not only at monument. They have very nice jewelry you have to buy something. Their manufacture in silver is something unique, because they don’t have many, they are expensive so not touristy. |
