Our Last Utah Hurrah - For Now!

October 17-20, 2017
Monument Valley, Utah

Several years ago (pre-RV) we drove through Monument Valley and swore we'd come back and stay a few days. 

Not a national or state park. All in the Navajo Nation. 

A place of amazing beauty and spirit. A place that feels unique and special. 

In 1923, the federal government traded farm land to the Paiute Tribe for some land along the Utah/Arizona border, that was made available for sale. Harry Goulding and his wife Mike (real name was Leone which Harry couldn't spell in his letters to her), bought 640 acres to open a trading post. When the surrounding land became part of the large Navajo Nation, the Goulding's land became a sovereign island within a sovereign nation. 

Harry and Mike Goulding

Harry and Mike were accepted and embraced by the Navajo people. Drought and depression sent the couple to Hollywood in 1938 with photos of the beautiful valley they called home. Within weeks of seeing the scenery, John Ford and John Wayne, and the whole cast and crew of Stagecoach came to the valley to film the movie from the front of the Goulding home. 

Hundreds of Navajo were hired at $5/day, and the movie industry began a long term relationship with the tribe and Harry and Mike.

The Lone Ranger - 2013

The property was gifted to Knox College when the Gouldings moved to Page, AZ, where Harry passed away in 1981. The LaFont family purchased the property and invited Mike to live her final years in the valley she loved so much. 

Now Goulding is a lodge, grocery store, small airport, neighborhood of homes, gas station, restaurant and the RV park where we stay for three nights. There is also a high school and elementary school but I'm not sure if they are part of Goulding. Set within red rocks with amazing views, it is a lovely community.

Tuesday we drive 125 miles with a stop for lunch in Kayenta. Bill had his first Indian Taco at Amigo Cafe on our original trip and we are ready for a repeat!

As good as we remember!

Gouldings Monument Valley RV Park has 66 level red dirt sites with small trees surrounded by gorgeous cliffs. FHUs with 50 amp, small picnic tables and fire rings. 

Sweet view from our site.

Wednesday morning we drive 6 miles to the Navajo Tribal Park. Half way there we cross into Arizona. 

We pay the $20/vehicle (up to four people), cross the parking lot at the hotel, pass the numerous tour trucks (pickups with bench seats in the back), and head out on the 17 mile scenic dirt road.

While the road becomes rough and rocky in some places, I definitely recommend driving even a regular car over taking one of the tours. The speed limit is 15 mph and there are several pullouts to take photos and enjoy the beauty. The tour trucks pass us at higher speeds without making any stops until they get to the sites where there are crafts for sale. Not my idea of a "real" tour :-(

Instead, we take hours, making many stops, soaking in the spirit of this lovely place.

West Mitten, East Mitten and Merrick Butte

Elephant Butte - his trunk is on the very right end.

The layers constantly change the views.

John Ford Point

From The Lone Ranger - one of many, many iconic scenes from this location.

Tiny lizard tracks in the sand - note the tail mark.

Camel Butte

Rain God Mesa

Three Sisters to the right is visible from many locations in the park.

Hogans at the foot of The Hub. 

Many un-named spots of beauty along the trail.

Yei Bi Chei and Totem Pole in front of Spearhead Mesa.

Blending in - again.

Stunning colors from Artist's Point Overlook.

Thumb also known as The Boot from the other side.

Cly Butte named for a well known medicine man buried at the foot of the formation.

Spirit rides the wind through these incredible monuments. It is a gift to visit.

We stop at the lodge restaurant where the food is mediocre. The parking lot is full of vintage touring cars being driven through iconic locations of the southwest.

A true beauty.

Classy blue Bentley.

Cue John Wayne....

Honoring the founders.

A few of our blogger buddies posted about two areas north of us. Wednesday we drive north to see Valley of the Gods and Gooseneck State Park.

We enjoy more monuments along the highway. Like the names in the tribal park, we only have the "White Man's" names. I'm sure the Dine' have beautiful spiritual names that I could never pronounce.

Brigham's Tomb, King on His Throne, Stagecoach, Bear and Rabbit, Castle Butte

Big Chief

The Bear and The Rabbit. See the bear holding his paws up to his face on the left, and the giant bunny head to the right? My favorite :-)

A quick stop at Mexican Hat en route.

Slowly becoming the Fluffy Pink Dog.

Valley of the Gods is BLM land, we pass several boondockers through the beautiful area.

Smaller monuments, still big on beauty.

Dual formations, each unique.

So cool.

A short side track takes us to this lovely campsite along a dry creek.

Desert Fall.

Darkening skies change the varied hues.

Another balancing act.

Lovely blue/lavender Juniper berries.

We get back on the pavement and make the short drive to Gooseneck. 

I've seen photos. I know that some people park their RVs right at the edge of this canyon. I see it myself.

I still think they're all nuts!!

The whole time we're here I'm uncomfortable. Yes, it's beautiful and unique. It's a must-see if you're in the area. Getting back in the Jeep and driving away from the edge makes me happy.

Loose shale at the edge - what could go wrong?

At first I think this is a lovely meditation spiral....

...but apparently it's a time machine, because it was made next year.

I need longer arms.

Yes, if you have wings, the edge is fine.

A small area with a block wall makes for a much better photo spot. See the rafts?

Rafts.

I don't notice until we get home that I took no photos of the RVs on the edge - denial?

On the way back I'm sad we're leaving the next day. Leaving the valley, and Utah after six weeks. 

We will be back - soon!