The Awe that is Monument Valley
Trip Start
Jul 01, 2005
1
13
20
Trip End
Jul 01, 2009
Where I stayed
Kayenta, Utah
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
We stayed in a Motel about 30 miles south of the Valley - and planned for a full days touring, through the Valley and it's sister Mystery valley. Monument Valley is so called because it's rock formations resemble many different things from the 'Coach and Horses', 'Sun's Eye' though to John Waynes Boot.
Our tour started at Gouldings Lodge, set up by the Gouldings in the early 20th Century. The site was originally a trading post formed by a bond with the Navajo tribe. The tour passed through Mystery Valley with it's amazing rock formations and arches.
A race of man existed here before the Navajo known as the Ansiacs - they lived within caves high in the rocks. Their walls still exist and we enjoyed climbing around looking at the artwork on the walls that remains.
The second half of the day was spent touring Monument Valley itself. The site is difficult to describe other than it takes your breath away. The rocks rise from the flat floor with power and a sense of authority. The Left and Right mittens being famously used as a back drop in so many Western movies. The tour passed deep into the valley past the three sisters and to the Sun's Eye. The sheer scale cannot be shown in a photograph but the colours and the power of the scene can be imagined.
Our tour rounded up back at Gouldings Lodge fit for the short burst home.
Desre and I rose early the next day to catch the sunrise - Desre knew how much the sunrise meant to me and convinced me that I would be kicking myself if I did not see it. She was right - if the place is amazing during the day, it is total enchantment at sunrise. The colours on ornaments in the local shops seem over the top (purples murging from black with the stars in the background) yet we saw it with our own eyes.
The Sun eventually rose from the Horizon and broke through to light up the rocks with a brilliant Orange. The remaining rocks stayed in shadow as though waiting for their stage prompt. We watched as the sun rose, breaking free and eventually lighting up the powerful scene. This was what I had come to see and I would strongly recommend that anyone visiting the area does not pass this opportunity up.
