Friday 7th September 2018
The first time we passed by Canyon De Chelly, many years ago, and looked over the rim, we both felt a very strong spiritual pull and we have wanted to return ever since. Today, we drove both the North and South rims and felt the same deep sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of it all.
Canyon De Chelly (pronounced Shay) National Monument is a vast park in northeastern Arizona, on Navajo tribal lands. Its prominent features include Spider Rock spire, about 800-feet tall, and towering sandstone cliffs surrounding a verdant canyon. It has been inhabited by several Native American peoples for millennia and is one of the longest continually inhabited landscapes in North America, with pueblo ruins built between 350 and 1300 A.D. – as well as a contemporary Navajo community that still inhabits the canyon floor, farming and herding sheep during the summer months. The White House Ruins and Mummy Cave are remains of ancient Pueblo villages.
Click on any image for a larger view and the caption. Photos with a date stamp were taken by the lovely Mr S.
There were Navajo dancers at our lodging, Thunderbird Lodge on Navajo tribal land, in the evening – such a privilege to see. We were asked not to take photos so, of course, didn’t. Each member of the audience was presented with a little gift at the end, of a bag of cornmeal.
“Corn, the symbol of food, fertility, and life itself, is of major importance. “Corn is more than human; it is divine; it (is) connected with the highest ethical ideals.” Information found here.
commonprose
October 1, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Great photos of Canyon de Chelly! We’re taking our second trip there in about a month.
Heyjude
September 29, 2018 at 12:11 am
Absolutely fabulous. I love it that you were the only car in that car park. Was it very hot?
mybeautfulthings
September 29, 2018 at 8:55 am
Phoenix and Monument Valley were very hot, too much for me at 30C and more! The other places were high 20s, hot but manageable. The best thing of all was that I had no pain all the time we were there. Every arthritic joint loved the dry heat and I was on Cloud 9 and moved with ease and delight , except in Phoenix and Monument Valley where the heat kept me very still in any shade I could find! 🙂
Heyjude
September 29, 2018 at 10:32 am
That’s too hot for me now. I am happy with a high of 24 degrees. Must admit Cornwall’s damp weather is not helping with my joints. My shoulders were particularly painful this last winter. Not sure if it arthritis. Perhaps we both need to live in Phoenix in houses with a large shady veranda!
mybeautfulthings
September 29, 2018 at 11:44 am
Sounds good to me! 🙂
commonprose
October 1, 2018 at 5:18 pm
I’d recommend Flagstaff, AZ, or Durango, CO, over Phoenix! Phoenix is too hot!
Our Growing Paynes
September 28, 2018 at 7:38 pm
Beautiful pics. The southwest is so stunning. I’ll be at the Grand Canyon in a few weeks and I can’t wait.
mybeautfulthings
September 28, 2018 at 9:54 pm
Oh, that’s wonderful! Have an amazing time. Are you going to the North Rim or the South? 🙂
Our Growing Paynes
September 28, 2018 at 10:36 pm
It will be the south as the north will
Be closed for the season. Such an amazing spot. 😊
Arkenaten
September 28, 2018 at 5:12 pm
Awe inspiring indeed!
Hil.
September 28, 2018 at 2:45 pm
This is just amazing, just so beautiful. Thank you for posting.xx