Wednesday May 30 Canyon deChelly National Monument and Navajo native lands.

Someone owns the horses but they roam free in the canyon

The story of the Spanish Conquistadores arrival is painted on the wall

The only way to enter Canyon deChelly (pronounced DeShay') is with any one of a number of Navajo guided options--(other than one short hike to view a popular ruin.) We opted for an all day tour aboard a 1950 vintage military transport vehicle converted to a 24 pasenger open top tour truck. Ron, our quick witted and knowledgeable Navajo driver led us through the rugged canyon floor, sometimes crossing streams, sometimes driving down the middle of streams on a bumpy, rolling adventure into spectacular natural beauty that is Canyon de Chelly National Monument. We enjoyed close up views of ancient pictographs and cliff dwelling ruins as we listend to stories of the canyon's volatile past and quiet present.

An early century hogan no longer lived in, with much older pictograph on wall behind

Spider Rock is the crown jewel of the canyon and still has special meaning to the Navajo people who live here.

Tuesday, May 29

We spent all day exploring Petrified Forest National Park and the Painted Desert as we made our way north. We’ve been here before but the landscape is just as impressive each time you see it. I am just naturally fascinated by rocks and fossils and the like so I just can’t get enough of the geology. A horned lark singing its heart out from atop a bejeweled petrified log was a good omen.

A leasurly meander thru the newly renovated Painted Desert Inn with all its history of Harvey Girls and noted travelers who stopped for the night from old Route 66 over the years was a fun discovery. It was not open when we last passed thru the park 4 years ago.

A late afternoon stop at historic Hubbel Trading Post and tour of the Hubbel home and grounds began an introduction to Navajo history and culture. We enjoyed the “rug room” at the active Post and marveled at the labor intensive intricate designs.

We finally settled in at a FREE US Dept of Interior campground close to the mouth of Canyon deChelly. Can’t beat that!! Had time to drive along the South rim of the canyon for a breathtaking sunset view of Spider Rock.

This area has much to offer and we are thoroughly enjoying a relaxing week here. Fools Hollow State Recreation Area is a very comfortable and scenic place to be. Great camping facilities set among the tall pines overlooking a blue water mountain lake. We came upon a small herd of elk today.

news flash---news flash----news flash

Stephanie successfully defended her thesis yesterday at USC in Los Angeles and she is one happy lady!! She said it all went very well. Yay, Steph!! Its Doctor DeBoer now.

We left Tucson bright and early on Wednesday, heading for the White Mountains of Arizona. Beautiful drive through Mammoth, Dudleyville, Globe, thru the Salt River Canyon on San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation and ended up near Show Low. We left blooming Sagauro and desert behind as we moved up to juniper and finally into ponderosa pine forests. We will stay here a few days, certainly thru the Memorial holiday weekend. Ft Apache historical park is close which sounds interesting and there are lots of trails to hike, wetlands to bird, back roads to explore. Heard there was even a gem and mineral show in Pinetop this weekend.

(Just to remind us that we have left the desert, the temp was 31 degrees this morning—we’re not in Tucson, Toto.)

Also we are accessing the internet thru our cell phones and it is working remarkable well. Hope it continues.

We took off for a "trial run" on a last minute whim. We decided to take a quick trip south near the border to Patagonia to do some birding and also to do a little canoeing on a quiet little desert lake. Unfortunately the wind came up so we didn't dare put the canoe in the water, but the birding was great. Good opportunity to recheck our list and see what we had forgotten to pack into the RV for the BIG trip.

The Ice is off the Santa Cruz so it is time to head north!! (That's Tucson lingo for--we have had our first 100 degree day for the season.) A couple of church meetings, appointments, good by lunches with friends and we will be on our way. Countdown to May 25.
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