Canyon DeChelly/UT/AZ March 19-23rd 2008

[Moody]

EDIT:

For those picture lovers (like me) the pictures start on page 8...



I wouldn't call this trip simply a weekend trip, nor a day 'adventure' so I am posting up here. My father (who is legally blind), brother in law Kevin, and myself are leaving SLC the night of the 19th. We -may- have a gentleman and his wife that work with my father along. We won't know until it gets closer.

We will make camp somewhere between SLC and the AZ border. I am thinking of driving the road from Escalante south just to spend the maximum time 'away' from everything.

We want to spend a day in Canyon DeChelly, and surrounding areas. We may venture up to Navajo National Monument, as well as Monument Valley on the way home. We are leaving everything but the Canyon DeChelly open.


If anyone knows of any 'must see' areas around there, please share. Much of my time is spent tooling around Utah. I am trying to venture out a bit more.


Comments/Suggestions are welcome.

 

[kcowyo]

....Monument Valley on the way home....

Yesssssss....

Valley of the Gods too. Goosenecks State Park is a nice, off the beaten path place as well that makes for a good 'homebase' while in the area. Supposedly there is a great steakhouse in Mexican Hat, if you want to have one nice dinner out. I can't recall the name though.

If/when you pass through Kayenta, the Burger King hosts the world's largest Navajo Windtalkers exhibit. I found it very informative. Sounds silly, but if you like history and Whoppers....

Personally I was underwhelmed on my two visits to CdC, but after seeing other pics here, I don't think I did it right. Get a guide, that's where I dropped the ball.

 

[Moody]

A few informative links:


http://www.nps.gov/cach/


http://www.desertusa.com/ind1/du_cdc_main.html


http://www.desertusa.com/mag04/mar/photos/cdc_window.jpg

http://www.delsjourney.com/images/news/news_01-06-20/1-1989-Canyon-de-Chelly-Visitor-Center.jpg

 

[crawler#976]

If your going to Monument Valley, Bridges NM and Hovenweep NM are in the area, and well worth the time and travel.

The Hopi Mesa's are a great experience. I like to show visitors the Hopi Cultural Center on Second Mesa.

Enjoy your trip planning!

Mark

 

[Moody]

Yesssssss....

Valley of the Gods too. Goosenecks State Park is a nice, off the beaten path place as well that makes for a good 'homebase' while in the area. Supposedly there is a great steakhouse in Mexican Hat, if you want to have one nice dinner out. I can't recall the name though.

If/when you pass through Kayenta, the Burger King hosts the world's largest Navajo Windtalkers exhibit. I found it very informative. Sounds silly, but if you like history and Whoppers....

Personally I was underwhelmed on my two visits to CdC, but after seeing other pics here, I don't think I did it right. Get a guide, that's where I dropped the ball.

See, this is great...why I love the ExPo. People with some insight share it. I am a sucker for historical memorabilia, sounds like the BK will get some of my money on that trip. I was not sure about a camping spot in the area, so I will look more closely into Goosenecks.

 

[kcowyo]

What you are about to read is 100% true -


....and here's a link to an article on that Mexican Hat restaurant that was featured on some Travel Channel food show



Always glad to help out a fellow history buff - :beer:

 

[articulate]

Making me hungry for a Rodeo Cheeseburger, boys.

Yes, if you get a guide at Canyon de Chelly you'll be able to get into the canyon. A good guide will tell you some stories, histories, talk about rock art, piece together the history of CdC with the stuff you learned in sop****re American history class and all that jazz. It's great stuff.

Otherwise, you're left to checking out the rim only; it's neat but not the full experience.


edit... uh, that word up there with the **** is supposed to reference your second year in high school. Filter no likey h o m o

 

[articulate]

Another note about the CdC guides, he/she will ride with you in your vehicle. I did this in a two-vehicle team and our guide used the CB when we were on the move. Your blind father should have a nice time.

 

[Moody]

Your blind father should have a nice time.

I guess I should clarify- I posted the info. about my Dad in the event anyone from here comes along. He isn't 100% blind, but has a tendency to run into people, yell for them when they are right in front of him, etc. He has what is known as 'retinitis pigmentosa' which, along with severe cataracts, keeps his eyes from adjusting to variations in light. He still sees, but at 65 can't drive, and isn't as surefooted as he was when he was taking me and my 3 brothers to see these things when we were kids. He does get a choice parking spot wherever he goes...

 

[Moody]

What you are about to read is 100% true -


....and here's a link to an article on that Mexican Hat restaurant that was featured on some Travel Channel food show



Always glad to help out a fellow history buff - :beer:

Thanks for those links. The trip report was fantastic. Makes me even more excited. One nice thing about being a teacher is Spring Break. Great time for S. Utah trips.

 

[Moody]

Making me hungry for a Rodeo Cheeseburger, boys.

Yes, if you get a guide at Canyon de Chelly you'll be able to get into the canyon. A good guide will tell you some stories, histories, talk about rock art, piece together the history of CdC with the stuff you learned in sop****re American history class and all that jazz. It's great stuff.

Otherwise, you're left to checking out the rim only; it's neat but not the full experience.


edit... uh, that word up there with the **** is supposed to reference your second year in high school. Filter no likey h o m o

I just started laughing in the middle of my classroom. My students are working on making a giant timeline of the Revolutionary War. It is relatively quiet in here, and then I start laughing about your post, and they all want to see...



Great info, BTW.

 

[articulate]

Oh man, that's right you're the history teacher . . . ! I was going to make some commentary about white man's version of Am. history and what really happened. I'll save it for the campfire.

HA!

 

[Moody]

Oh man, that's right you're the history teacher . . . ! I was going to make some commentary about white man's version of Am. history and what really happened. I'll save it for the campfire.

HA!

Are you familiar with the book, "Lies My Teacher Told Me?"


Loewen wrote it. Pretty fun to read.



I constantly refer to my class as the -hi- story or HIStory class...

 

[articulate]

Curious now . . . when are you going to be in the Canyon de Chelly area? If it lands on the weekend of the 22-23, I may be able to join you. Any idea how your plan is taking shape?

 

[Moody]

Curious now . . . when are you going to be in the Canyon de Chelly area? If it lands on the weekend of the 22-23, I may be able to join you. Any idea how your plan is taking shape?

Depending on the route, we could easily arrive there the night of the 21st, and return home late on the 23rd. I don't think we will spend much more than a day in Canyon deChelly proper. We want to maximize what we will see, but I live my daily life by bells, so I like some flexibility.

I am leaning towards coming down through Moab, and driving 191 to Natural Bridges, Valley of the Gods, Goosenecks, the 20th and 21st, and then hitting deChelly last before making the trip home through Monument Valley/Lake Powell. Ultimately, we will drive home on I-15 back to SLC, making a big loop.