Arizona/Utah

DAY 5 MON 1 OCT 2012 Long drive from Bryce Canyon, Utah to Monument Valley, AZ = close to 5 hrs, 276 miles. U.S. Hwy 89 - en route to Page. Our guide/driver knew of a quiet and uncrowded lookout which was along our way, so we stopped here to stretch our legs, and admire the views of Waheap Bay (on the left) and Glen Canyon Dam in the middle distance. The town of Page is not far from here.

DAY 5 MON 1 OCT 2012 Long drive from Bryce Canyon, Utah to Monument Valley, AZ = close to 5 hrs, 276 miles. The Navajo coal-fired power plant sits on the Navajo Indian Reservation, just outside of Page, Arizona, off Hwy 98. The Navajo Nation negotiated a new 25-year lease to the effect of $9 million per year beginning in 2020, in addition to additional payments’ in lieu of taxes and other compensation, starting at $10 million per year following approval by the tribe and escalating to $34 million in 2020. The nearby Kayenta mine (for coal) has 430 employees, and pays about $47 million per year in total wages. The royalties and other mine payments amount to about $50 million per year, $37 million paid to the Navajo Nation and $13 million to the Hopi tribe.

DAY 5 MON 1 OCT 2012 Long drive from Bryce Canyon, Utah to Monument Valley, AZ = close to 5 hrs, 276 miles. I'm not sure why we stopped here. We must've seen a sign, or something. I love stopping in small villages and towns in these remote areas. So much history, ancient spirits, interesting people and surroundings. Founded in 1915 by John Wetherill and Joe Lee, Shonto (loosely translated as “ spring in the sunshine ”) is often frequented by Navajos who are descendants of those who survived “ The Long Walk ” (see also this link ). These are traditional Navajo, and much of the art and weavings you find here is authentic. Shonto Trading Post Indn Rte 221 AZ 86054 Off of hwy 98, just before the junction of hwy 160

" The Voice that won the war, to preserve, to protect & make use of our Dine' Language" Nahoka Dine' of Youth, Elders & Medicine Men & Woman Shonto Trading Post Indn Rte 221 AZ 86054 Off of hwy 98, just before the junction of hwy 160

DAY 5 MON 1 OCT 2012 Drive: from Bryce Canyon, Utah to Monument Valley, AZ Finally! After 5 hrs of driving, 276 miles. we arrive at our hotel for the next two nights. If you are planning to visit Monument Valley, this is the hotel you want to stay at. Beautiful views, from sunset to sunrise.

DAY 5 MON 1 OCT 2012 Long drive from Bryce Canyon, Utah to Monument Valley, AZ = close to 5 hrs, 276 miles. If you are planning to visit Monument Valley, this is the hotel you want to stay at. Beautiful views, from sunset to sunrise.

DAY 5 MON 1 OCT 2012 View from the dining room. If you are planning to visit Monument Valley, this is the hotel you want to stay at. Beautiful views, from sunset to sunrise.

DAY 5 MON 1 OCT 2012 And so, here we are.. After a long drive (close to 5 hrs, 276 miles) from Bryce Canyon, UT; we arrive at the most iconic locale of the American southwest.

DAY 5 MON 1 OCT 2012 The View hotel serves traditional Navajo fare (try the delicious sheep camp mutton stew ) . Much of the cooking is a fusion of traditional Navajo and Mexican cuisine (like their green chile stew, or red chile posole, and of course the Navajo taco). The meat (mutton) is locally owned, unprocessed and organic. Beer & Wine are unavailable in the restaurant, as the Navajo Nation is a dry nation. However, The View Restaurant offers non-alcoholic beer and wine.

DAY 5 MON 1 OCT 2012 The View hotel serves traditional Navajo fare, like this delicious sheep camp mutton stew, with blue-corn Navajo fry bread. Much of the cooking is a fusion of traditional Navajo and Mexican cuisine (like their green chile stew, or red chile posole, and of course the Navajo taco). The meat (mutton) is locally owned, unprocessed and organic. Beer & Wine are unavailable in the restaurant, as the Navajo Nation is a dry nation. However, The View Restaurant offers non-alcoholic beer and wine.

DAY 5 MON 1 OCT 2012 If you are planning to visit Monument Valley, this is where you want to stay.

DAY 6 TUES 2 OCT 2012 Early morning sunrise, reflected in the hotel windows.. If you are planning to visit Monument Valley, this is where you want to stay.

Numberless monuments Without inscriptions ... I carry your name, eternal love, In my heart. There are so many lives here, Scratched into stone – You sing in pain, Engraved within me. If you know who made those letters, Do not reveal it. My heart's blood Drips from the chiseled lines. - Leonardas Andriekus DAY 6 TUES 2 OCT 2012 Breaking dawn over Monument Valley, AZ from the View Hotel.

Breaking dawn. DAY 6 TUES 2 OCT 2012

Early morning sunrise. DAY 6 TUES 2 OCT 2012

Sunrise. DAY 6 TUES 2 OCT 2012

“I love the grim gaunt edges of the rocks, the great bare backbone of the Earth, rough brows and heaved-up shoulders, round ribs and knees of the world’s skeleton protruded in lonely places; where from ledges of sun-silenced cliffs the wild war eagle dips aslant blue ecstasies of air to the delicate deep fringes of the pines; the long-returning curves of solid hills that bend the wind along the dappled sky; or far-drawn levels of red mesa-lands, receding infinitely, step on step on step... and grandeur of all grandeurs, over all the high commanding glory of the sun! " ~Maynard Dixon, 1922 DAY 6 TUES 2 OCT 2012 Monument Valley, AZ

Near mile marker 13 (Utah), along US HWY 163. There's a reason why I took a photo of this little shrub - but I can't remember why. I wish I knew what it was. I tried to find it in guidebooks and online search, but can't seem to pinpoint what kind of shrub this is. Could it be rabbitbrush? I seem to remember our guide mentioning something about how this plant contains a lot of moisture in the foliage, which - considering how dry the desert is - would be an important food source for the small animals and feral horses that roam the valley. Leaving Monument Valley, AZ; we often stop and get out to stretch our legs, admire the view, perhaps browse at some roadside kiosks selling Navajo jewellery and other knickknacks. Occasionally we take some photos of the surrounding flora and fauna like this low-lying shrub here. DAY 6 TUES 2 OCT 2012 Drive: from Monument Valley, AZ to Cortez, Colorado.