Monument Valley, Utah

Thursday, June 14

We were lucky last night with the fire, there was virtually no smoke and no ash. The fire crews really knew what they were doing.

Thursday dawned with some clouds to the north east, just where we are heading. Got an easy start at 9:30 and headed out of Flagstaff up US 89. After about 40 miles, we entered the Navajo Indian reservation. It is the largest reservation in the US, covering 27,000 sq miles. It is mostly in Arizona, but also in Utah and New Mexico. The Navajo are also the most populous tribe in the country. We then turned east on US 160. The land here is high rolling plateau, at about 6,000 feet elevation. We started to see the beautiful buttes and mesas as we approached the town of Kayenta, which is just to the south of monument valley.

We arrived just after noon, it’s tough to have these long work days. This retirement is really hell! Got the coach set up and the Direct TV satellite acquired and then had a nice lunch.

This afternoon we drove around to see the basic sights. It's some very beautiful country.

Friday, June 16

We went on a tour of the valley this morning, narrated by a Navajo guide. This place is something. I took more pictures than I can ever use. Most of the valley does not have water, so the inhabitants have to truck in water. No electricity either. Most still live in hogans (the mud covered huts) in winter and under open lean-tos in the summer.