May 23, 2013

Canyon de Chelly

This isn't my first visit to this area, but I wanted to share what I find to be an incredible place with Leon. We arrived in the afternoon and made a drive up the south side of the canyon's rim. Spider Rock, an 800 foot sandstone spire, is probably my favorite stop and the 7th and last of the pull outs for viewing along the 37 mile round trip drive.




Pipes were mounted at several stops so you could get a view of where to look for an ancient ruin. People have lived in these canyons for 5'000 years.



Cottonwood Campground is located at the fork of the north and south rim drives. It is run by the Navajo and used to be free but now there is a $10 fee although there are no hookups or water. It was so windy and dusty below the Cottonwoods that we felt fortunate a limb did not fall on us.



The next morning we made a leisurely drive along the north rim, a 34 mile round trip drive. We saw several ruins which are difficult to find among the sheer rock walls as they blend in so well.




The Navajo still raise sheep and cattle and farm the fertile valley floor. Visitors are only allowed in the canyon when accompanied by an Indian, but there are jeep tours down into the canyon. An exception is the 2.5 mile hike down into the canyon to see the White House ruin. I did that once and that was enough.


At each stop there are one or two Indians selling their crafts. This man has painted rocks while other stops included Navajo jewelry.



Long shadows were cast early in the day. Walking out to the vistas was almost like visiting a gardens.


Various desert plants were in bloom and the prickly pair was almost blooming. The Indians use the red fruit for dye; the peeled pads of the cactus reduce bleeding; the fruit and pads are also edible.


At the back of the steep cliff across the canyon is an ancient ruin. The Indians used networks of ladders to access these ancient homes.


A closer view.


And in the dark recesses of the sheer wall is yet another ruin.


We thoroughly enjoyed this stop along our westward journey.

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