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travel

Space and Time

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Space and Time

Lost in space. That best describes how one feels in Monument Valley. It took us less than two hours to travel from Canyon de Chelley’s deep canyons to Monument Valley’s buttes and spires. John Wayne country, indeed. From memories of Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote, to The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, we felt as though we were entering a giant movie set. Amazing.

Artist’s Point

Artist’s Point

Monument Valley is really not a valley. It is a flat, that’s interrupted by towering formations formed though the endless erosion by water, wind and ice. Did I just mention wind? The day we visited, was really windy, with gusts clocking in at 30-40 mph. 

The best way to see the area is to drive the 17-mile dirt road that loops around Rain God Mesa. A four-wheel drive is recommended, but Steve took the challenge (and won) with his SUV. There were no crowds or lines. Just wind. My understanding is that this road gets quite backed-up in the spring (a sea of cars) and that flash floods can occur from June-August. We really got lucky with our weather, as the offseason is often unpredictable.

A glimpse of Valley Road.

A glimpse of Valley Road.

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While pelted by sand, we captured the Three Sisters monument

While pelted by sand, we captured the Three Sisters monument

The color and light was in Monument Valley is something to behold. Strong winds kicked up a lot of sand, creating a painterly effect on many of the photos we took. No enhancements needed. We stopped along the many pull-outs to take photos and marveled at the vast beauty of the Navajo nation.

John Ford’s Point

John Ford’s Point

Stagecoach, 1939

Stagecoach, 1939

John Ford’s Point is a well-known and aptly named. He used this particular location in many of his films. Post adventure, Dave and I watched Stagecoach, where Ford used the iconic vista at the beginning and the end of the film. To us, there was a bit of an issue with that decision. The stagecoach was making the journey from Tanto, Arizona to Lordsburg, New Mexico. Seems like they didn’t make much progress. Just saying…

Late afternoon view from Lee Cly Trail

Late afternoon view from Lee Cly Trail

Click, click, click. The sunrise view from everyone’s balcony.

Click, click, click. The sunrise view from everyone’s balcony.

The drive took up most of the afternoon. Our evening was spent dining on more frybread at The View motel. We awoke to a spectacular sunrise, courtesy of our room’s balcony. What a view! The steady click of cameras made it abundantly clear that we were not alone in this endeavor.

Early morning view from Wild Cat Trail.

Early morning view from Wild Cat Trail.

Before departing, Julie suggested a quick hike along the Wild Cat Trail that ambles towards Mitten Butte. It was chilly, but also crisp, clear and blessedly still. The sand along the trail was pristine, and untouched, like the beach of an ocean, just washed by the tide.

The sands of time.

The sands of time.

By 3pm, we were back in Phoenix. All of us felt strangely disoriented, as if we had been gone for much longer than two days. In hindsight, I’m thinking that our adventure was a great form of time travel, simplified.


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Time Warp

Time Warp

It’s 4:30 a.m.—go time. We pack the pups into the Jeep and head out on the QE2 towards the border, our Saturday night destination of Idaho Falls a mere twelve hours away. It was grey and cold outside, with a mix of snow, rain and wind thrown in for good measure. No better day in my mind to depart the Canadian Rockies. We reach Lethbridge Alberta by 7:30 a.m. and stop by Tim Horton’s for a farewell 20-pack of Timbits and coffee.

Coulees in Lethbridge, Alberta at 110km/hr.

Coulees in Lethbridge, Alberta at 110km/hr.

Railroad Bridge, Lethbridge, Alberta at 110km/hr.

Railroad Bridge, Lethbridge, Alberta at 110km/hr.

Puccini packing it in for the long haul at 80 mph.

Puccini packing it in for the long haul at 80 mph.

Goodbye to 110km/hr (68 mph), Hello to 80mph (128km). The border agent actually said “Welcome Home” to us. It was kind of sweet to hear him say that.

Our drive through Montana. was rugged and beautiful, even in the rain.

Montana at 80mph.

Montana at 80mph.

Big Sky Country at 80mph.

Big Sky Country at 80mph.

We arrived in Idaho Falls around 4:30 p.m. While there, I made my annual trip to a convenience store to stock up on some Idaho Spuds — an Boise original, made of chocolate, marshmallow and coconut. By the way, they also make a yummy confection called Huckleberry Gems, which unfortunately did not make it back to Phoenix.

The next morning we were in Salt Lake City just in time for sunrise.

Salt Lake City sunrise, at 80 mph.

Salt Lake City sunrise, at 80 mph.

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As we approached the Arizona border, the landscape began to resemble a fall tapestry. Bryce Canyon and the drive through Kanab did not disappoint. And, the narrow road that winds through the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park area was truly amazing.

Elder, Utah, at 80mph.

Elder, Utah, at 80mph.

For the most part, our drive though Arizona was a blur. Usually at that point in our journey, we are on auto-pilot, with our eyes on the prize.

Arizona rain at 80 mph.

Arizona rain at 80 mph.

Lees Ferry area at 80 mph.

Lees Ferry area at 80 mph.

Phoenix greeted us with rain and lower temperatures, which has helped a lot with the transition. Puccini and Dota have settled back into their desert routine. I heard that Canmore has six inches of snow. It’s great to be home.