On July 8th, Chuck and I took a wonderful tour of Monument Valley! We had already decided we didn't want to take one of the tours that crowded you into the back of a pick-up truck with bench seats that fit 3 across but were invariably packed 4 to 5 people across like sardines! These tours were usually people who arrived in big tour buses and poured out the door of the bus and onto the backs of these trucks. We had asked our friend, whom we had met the year before, silversmith Emmanuel Gray to recommend someone! He told us about Monument Valley Safari, they give jeep tours! We found Nate Holiday, owner of the tours and signed on immediately!
Monument Vallet Safari with Nate Holiday 298-209-1364
We had scheduled to go the next day on Thursday but Thursday came a huge windstorm that blew dust all day!
It was almost as bad as what you saw happening in Phoenix! After the storm, the air still hung heavy with dust, like looking through dirty glasses! So Nate agreed we should put it off until Friday so we agreed to meet at 9 am the next day. Friday was the perfect day! Nate assigned Duffy Holiday as our guide. Duffy was also interested in photography and knew where to take us!
Meet Duffy Holiday, Tour Guide extraordinaire' !
The first few miles going down into the valley are rougher and tougher than you can imagine! Unless you are ready to install a new front end or new shocks, or maybe unless you are in a rental vehicle, I suggest you hire a Navajo/Dinah tour guide like Duffy! Last year after less than 5 miles we turned our truck around! Next day it rained, so we had to wait until this year to take our tour!
Monument Valley is amazing! No wonder the Dineh people love living here! This is their home and we are fortunate that they are willing to share this beauty with us!
Duffy was always willing to share information!
The Three Sisters formation
With beauty all around me....
I walk in beauty...
The one thing to remember, you are touring somebody's neighborhood, their home. Be respectful!
Duffy brought us to this arch formation and took our picture, look real hard and you will see us near the middle. A reminder... you can click on any of my photos and take them to full size for better viewing!
The size of this rock was huge!
Duffy was always ready to share information with us about Monument Valley.
Sheltered under the rock were other unusual rocks!
Also sheltered under the rock formation were a few petrogyphs....
Even with 18mm wide angle lens and backed way back, I still could not get this whole rock formation in my frame!
Then Duffy took us to a new arch. One of the nice things about taking a tour like this, Duffy was kind enough to take photos of Chuck and I together! Under our feet here, is a very fine red sand!
I just thought the other arches were huge! Then Duffy brought us here! Above and below is the hole in the roof!
Those little, tiny figures below the hole are Chuck and Duffy! This pace was immense! It felt like a church, like maybe you should be speaking in whispers! Like you should be speaking to God with your heart!
(remember, you can click on any of the images to bring to full size!)
As always, Duffy would help us understand by drawing pictures in the sand, or on the rocks. He really wanted us to understand the Dineh culture. We appreciate him so much!
This was my favorite arch! It just felt holy!
(no pun intended!)
Right next to that cavernous arch was this one, above and below. Also a very nice arch, but just not as amazing as the previous one!
Suddenly 2 of the bigger tour trucks came pulling up loaded with people! The silence was shattered. We left.
Duffy took us over a huge sand dune, good thing the jeep was four wheel drive!
We passed the Totem Pole formation.
This was taken at the last stop on the tour,
Artists Vista.
We will always remember the beauty of this place
The Mittens! This famous formation can be seen from the gift shop. This is one of my very favorite places to visit! I must thank Colleen Cole who brought me here at least 30 years ago and introduced me to Monument Valley! John Wayne loved it here too and he shot several movies here. This is definitely something to put on your bucket list. Here is the tour information on the tour we took: Monument Valley Safari 928-209-1364 or 435-727-3340. It was a great day and we thank Nate Holiday and Duffy Holiday for making it so memorable.
We also want to thank Emmanuel Gray and his wife Marjorie for telling us about Monument Valley Safari!
And thank you Emmanuel for fixing my ring and 2 bracelets! Emmanuel is a wonderful Navajo/Dineh silversmith and I love the earrings I bought from him! Beautiful!
That's it from the MotherShip! We are now docked at Wahweep Marina Campground overlooking beautiful Lake Powell! We hope you enjoyed this tour of Monument Valley! Happy Trails to you, until we meet again!
Geri, Chuck and the hound herd signing off!
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly that love and read more on this topic. If possible, such as gain knowledge, would you mind updating your blog with additional information? It is very useful for me.
ReplyDeletehotel deals Honolulu