Monument Valley

After our quick stop at Four Corners, we headed to Monument Valley.  The wind was blowing and kicking up dust as we approached the area; I was concerned we weren't going to get good photos.  Below you can see some of the blowing dust at the base of the monuments:

This is the much-photographed road into the area from the north.  You can see some of the dust being kicked up by the strong winds.

Two of the monuments are nicknamed "The Mittens."  Here Donna's hand fits perfectly over the left mitten.

Donna on a rock down in the valley.  The left mitten is in the background on the left side.

There are two ways to get down among the monuments in the park--take a tour with one of the many tour guide companies, or drive your own vehicle on the 17 mile route.  Donna and I started down the road.  Slowly.  I have been over some pretty terrible roads, but this was among the worst.  It is said that the best vehicle for off-road travel is a rental car after you have selected the optional collision/damage insurance.  Unfortunately we didn't have a rental; we had our own car and many miles to go on the trip, so yours truly chickened out after only 3 miles on the road.  I have been on many rough roads in my life, but this has to be one of the worst, and I really didn't want to tear the undercarriage out of the car...

We went to many places in the Navajo reservation and one thing that stood out was the large number of dogs.  Here two dogs are along the road down in Monument Valley.

 After our short trip into the valley, we went back to the visitor's center for dinner and more photos.  I was afraid clouds would be in the way.  I couldn't have been more wrong; it turned into a beautiful evening and I was able to get some pictures from the back of the visitor's center.  Below you can see the mittens.