September 10, 2020
This is what I expected and did not expect. But as almost all my trips go, expect the unexpectedly. More on that later.
In Oljato-Monument Valley, we slept late and relaxed until a 4 pm tour. The temperature dropped from 96 the day before to the low 60s with a strong wind that made it feel in the 50s. The Goulding's Tour was in an open air vehicle, which made it feel even colder. Eventually the guide and driver, Henry, rolled down the plastic windows and gave us a respite from the wind. Henry is a native Navajo from the area, attending the Navajo elementary and high schools here. By the way, Oljato is Navajo for moon water. I'm glad he closed the windows, not only for our comfort, but also for my sanity from the young woman traveling solo, who was quite loud and boisterous. No, I'm kidding, she was fun and I think had a drink or two before the trip.
Due to COVID-19, the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park was closed, so our tour was modified to skirt around the park boundary and stop at viewpoints we could access. We went 4-wheelin' in the vehicle for some off road adventures. What we could see where the giant sandstone mesas and buttes scattered across the desert floor. Some of the structures, battered and formed by wind and water, reach 1000 feet. Some are named after people who lived or prospected for silver here and others are named by what the shaped appear to look like (Stagecoach, Sleeping Bear, Rabbit, Mittens, Big Indian, Brigham's Tomb, Merrick Butte, Mitchell Butte, Three Sisters, King on his Throne). Many movies, especially westerns were filmed here, including 3 John Ford films, and the famous Gump Hill, where Forest Gump finally ends his long run because he was tired.
Run, Forrest, Run! Or stop.
Warming up a bit after the tour, we ordered from the Stagecoach Dining Room. I had a Navajo inspired roast beef Rev Bah sandwich, with sliced green chiles, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes rolled in a Navajo fry bread, and a nice view out on the room's patio.
After two days in Monument Valley, where it was 96 degrees when we arrived but 40 when we left, we headed towards Natural Bridges National Monument. This was to be a stop to view natural sanstone bridges carved by water erosion. Naturally, the rain started at Mexican Hat and continued, heavy at times, throughout the nearby canyons of the Colorado River. And at elevations of 7000 feet, we were showered with a mixture of snow and rain. In September! It was 35 degrees and not so great visibility. That prompted me to abandon this part of the tour. I did not feel like braving wet and cold to barely see these formations. It will have to wait until another visit.
This land is so interesting because seemingly every few miles the landscape and geology changes. Reds, blue/grey, white, multi-layered, canyons, mountains, rocks and things called goblins or hoodoos.
The last photo above is from Goblin Valley State Park. I was on the fence about going mainly because I was worried about time, but time we had and it was a short round trip off the highway (Utah State Rt. 24). At this crossroads, I just had to take this photo of Outlaws Roost in, of all places, Hanksville. Outlaw indeed (some of you may understand this reference).
So these goblin rock formations can only be found here in the Valley of the Goblins. The area was an ancient inland sea. Hardened Layers of sandstone, siltstone, and shale were left after erosion of millions of years. Totally worth the side trip and entry fee. This is the place where the infamous Boy Scout troop leaders knocked off one of the balancing rocks. They didn't get away with their cockamie defense that they were protecting others from falling boulders. Fascinating little gnome like creatures, aren't they?
Heading to Capitol Reef National Park and sleeping in Noor Hotel in Torrey, Utah for the next two nights.
Peace out!
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