There is a 27 km (17 mile) dirt road that goes in a loop to lookout points to see major rock formations, and people drive themselves, although four wheel drives are best suited, and you can ride your bike or motor bike. However, to go off that road is not allowed unless you are with a guide. Today we went with a Navajo (say nah-vuh-hoe) guide into that restricted tribal area of Monument Valley. Most go by jeep, but some go on horseback. You cannot go to these special parts without a guide, to make sure that proper respect is shown for very spacial places. The valley is also just too big for people to wander about without getting very lost. The narrow road and tracks are dirt, very bumpy and twist about around and between the huge rocks. A big, flat-topped one is called a mesa (say may- suh) while one that sticks straight up is a butte (say beaut).
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| Sunrise from my balcony. East Mitten Butte and West Mitten Butte. |
The land is pretty flat, covered with low scrubby bushes in amazing shades of green, some with bright yellow flowers, and stunted trees. You can see for many kilometres and these tall rock formations tower high above the ground. Because the land is fairly flat, with the mesas and buttes spaced widely, it is hard to realize that you are actually some 1,500 metres (5000 feet) above sea level, so the tops of the mesas and buttes are much much higher. Some of the formations have names such as Three Sisters, Big Chief, Eye of the Sun, Thunderbird Mesa or Rain God Mesa. Some have caves. We saw some ancient rock paintings, called petroglyphs, that were over a thousand years old. They were of animals, and one was of a new human baby. The scenery is dramatic, yet the place is quiet and very peaceful. It is truly a very special place.
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| Some of the petroglyphs we saw |
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