The next stop on our Trip West 2013, was Blanding, Utah, from which we would drive to Monument Valley, about 75 miles south.
Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park (30,000 acres), established in 1958, and located on the border of Arizona and Utah within the 16-million-acre Navajo Reservation. Over the years, because of Monument Valley's unique sandstone formations, the park has been the setting for more Western movies than any other site in the United States.
Following are pictures of some of the beautiful rock formations that we saw on September 26th, on the drive from Blanding to the official entrance of the park.
Our route took us through two small towns...Bluff, Utah and Mexican Hat, Utah.
"Navajo Twins" at Bluff, Utah
Cow Canyon Trading Post at Bluff, Utah
This rock formation was just outside of Mexican Hat, Utah
Can you see how the town got it's name?
Continuing on down the road toward Monument Valley, we saw more and more beautiful and interesting rock formations:
I'll have another post, with photos from Monument Valley and the surrounding area in a few days.
Hi Linda, great series here! I am looking forward to the next installment.
ReplyDeleteWonderful series of photos! Such fantastic rock formations.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos for today, Linda!
ReplyDeletecan you imagine if that was your "top hat" ... you would not be able to stand up??! ha. ha!! amazing shots. i love the fence line one. nice!! ( :
ReplyDeletejust amazing structures! one looked like a choir singing. :)
ReplyDeleteThose rock formations are amazing. I love all the colors and seeing different layers. Mexican Hat is just too. cool. Thank you for sharing, Linda!
ReplyDeleteThe "Hat" formations is unique and unlike anything I have ever seen. Beautiful images as always Linda.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
This is another place we're going to have to add to our 'must see' list. The rock formations are fantastic. Yes, it's easy to see how Mexican Hat got its name.
ReplyDeleteInteresting how each formation is different from the others.
ReplyDeleteMrs. C. and I are considering making a trip to this part of the country next year, thanks in no small part to you.
ReplyDeleteI particularly enjoyed the Twins and Mexican Hat. Just can't get over how much personality these formations have. We saw similar formations in Colorado and pretty much stared in awe and wonder at them all.
ReplyDeleteThat color can change with different light. It reminds me of the Badlands here in the Midwest.
ReplyDeletecool formations. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteDesolate looking, but beautiful all at the same time! Love the Mexican hat! The rock formations are incredible!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda! I am very familiar with this part of the country. My husband and I did a two week mission trip to the Navajo Indian Reservation a few years ago. It is lonely looking, but there is such majesty in the simple rock formations. It always inspires me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me of that trip!
Ceil
Do many people live in the surrounding area? I does look a little lonely...but I am sure the beauty helps.
ReplyDeleteIt IS a pretty desolate area, Dee. It belongs to the Navajo Nation. We did see some homes here and there, but it looks like a poor area. Pretty scenery, though. :)
DeleteBlogger ate my comment!
ReplyDeleteI was saying that I love the Mexican Hat and how places get their names from such elements. And I also saw a choir being led in the fourth from last image, just as Theresa did. Lovely as always, Linda.
Nature is a skilled sculptor, Monument Valley attests to that. :)
ReplyDeleteThe last photo is my favourite.