Monument Valley
Oh, My, God! No, but what else can I say in front of this orange sandstone castle? This image, so strong and popular, that we have seen many times in films, the emblem of Navajo culture, is worth the detour. My mother and I arrived at the site after crossing the barrier where we had to pay an entry fee. The ranger didn’t tell us much about how we should plan our visit. In the big parking lot, there is a small cabin that offers guided Jeep tours. A large building that houses a restaurant, a souvenir shop and an exhibition hall where a hotel is annexed is next to it. From the large terrace, you can take several shots of the “classic” view of the monument.
My mother believed that we could not go in the Jeep tour, because I would be too annoying, and by examining the ravine well, we saw many cars venturing about, not just the official Jeeps. We then embarked in our rental SUV, into the “hole.” It was the hit of our trip. A 17-mile loop that took almost three hours showed me see the most beautiful landscapes of my short life. A powerful sun weighed on the stone, the sand, the road, in a thousand shades of orange.
Seriously, although I was there to please my mother, I had fun like never before. I nibbled on my snack while contemplating the magnificent landscapes in a 360-degree view, I annoyed the dogs that followed us for a bite of my snack, I admired horses and I was even able to drive the SUV a bit… Yes, Yes! Dirt road, 5 km/h, loose belt, music in the background, baby in the front seat, nothing less!
Good to Know (Attractions)
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How long to plan
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Conveniences
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Message From My Parents
It was one of the biggest dreams of my life. Yes, see a bunch of rocks in the middle of the desert can be a dream. Normally, when we have expectations such as I had, it is very easy to be disappointed, but this experience was just the opposite. I was blown away by the grandeur of the thing, the colours, the calm of the place, the trip by car in the dirt road around this monument which made me see behind the scenes. Seeing my son marvel at discovering his echo bouncing off the walls of this legendary setting was another highlight of the experience. The Jeep tour takes you on roads inaccessible to tourist cars, which may be an option to consider if I ever return (of course I will). Truly one of the best travel experiences of my life!
