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.