Today was full of changes of location, terrain and plans. Fortunately, the weather was sunny and pleasant all day.
Leaving Cortez:
We had the pleasure of parking next to Jack & Helen Stroope during our stay at Sundance RV Park. They are a delightful couple in their mid-80s.
Their home is in Waxahachie, TX. They travel north for the summer in a 30' fifth-wheel trailer. They've been coming to this park for the past 15 years. Jack is a gregarious "park mayor" and Helen is a classic, southern lady. We wish we had spent more time getting to know them.
The Route:
We traveled 145 miles to Chinle, AZ by taking US-160 west to Four Corners, made a brief stop there, continued on US-160 passed Teec Nos Pos, Red Mesa and Mexican Water to US-191, then went south on US-191 to Chinle.
Four Corners (again):
Yes, we were here yesterday. We stopped again today because Carol wanted to find a Navajo jewelry artisan named Herb Thompson and because he wasn't here yesterday, he might be here today, and our route to Chinle passed by Four Corners. Success ... Herb is here!
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| Carol shops for jewelry |
Carol bought some pieces from him four years ago and was really pleased with the quality and creativity of his work.
We had an added treat. A fellow from Florida, pulling a restored Airstream trailer, parked beside us. He did all of the work himself.
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| 1955 Airstream Caravel |
Along the Way:
The entire route from Four Corners to Chinle was inside the Navajo Indian Reservation. The terrain changed dramatically.
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| Red Mesa on US-160 |
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| Sometimes it seems like the highway is boring and goes forever |
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| Then something new appears |
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| Round Rock on US-191 |
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| More scenes from US-191 |
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| This is much more than "red dirt". The views are captivating. |
Chinle:
We got to Cottonwoods Campground in the early afternoon and discovered some things had changed since our 2009 visit. For starters, the campground is no longer free. It now costs $14 per night ... no big deal, but it is a change. Next, they no longer offer Duck Tours into the canyon.
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| Cottonwoods Campground (we're in there, under the trees) |
We changed our plan. We'll stay just one night and limit canyon sight-seeing to the North and South Rim driving tours.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument:
The labyrinth called Canyon de Chelly (d'SHAY) is really several canyons that include Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto. The national monument was established in 1931. Though the monument is administered by the National Park Service, the canyons are home to the Navajo people.
North Rim Drive:
This drive offers three overlooks: Antelope House, Mummy Cave and Massacre Cave. We took this drive late in the afternoon.
Antelope House Overlook ... this overlook is located at the junction of Canyon del Muerto and Black Rock Canyon. You can see the Antelope House Ruin and Navajo Fortress.
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| Antelope House |
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| Navajo Fortress was used as a refuge |
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| They had quite a vantage point from here |
Mummy Cave Overlook ... this is one of the largest and most beautiful ruins within Canyon del Muerto.
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| Mummy Cave (a.k.a. House Under the Rock) |
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| Residents farm and ranch on the canyon floor |
Massacre Cave Overlook ... 115 Navajo took shelter on this ledge above the canyon floor and were killed by a Spanish military expedition in 1805.
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| The ledge runs vertically along the lower left |
This area offers much more than stone and dirt. Plant life adds color and texture.
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