Vacationing In The Southwest

Above, yours truly with The Mittens and Merrick Butte in Monument Valley.

If you are considering a vacation trip to the Southwest United States, an article on the region posted by the Hartford Courant is something that should be read.

They mentioned that "essentially" the only place to stay at (or near) Monument Valley is The View hotel. Not so, there is also Goulding's Lodge and Campground. But this is just a quibble I have with the article.

Monument Valley was a big highlight of my three-week trip two years ago.

The article begins with:

Standing along the rim of the Grand Canyon, it’s hard not to wonder what the first explorers of the area thought when they discovered the magnificent natural wonder.
Most likely: “Looks like we’ll have to turn around.” 

But like their modern-day counterparts, they undoubtedly were spellbound by the mesmerizing vistas, which even modern cameras seem incapable of capturing. 

To truly appreciate its splendor, the Grand Canyon must be seen in person, and there’s no better way to go than by setting a course for the open road, and visiting the natural wonder as part of a road trip through the Southwest.

On Monument Valley, they wrote:

Monument Valley (utah.com/monument-valley), a Navajo Tribal Park within the Navajo Nation in Utah, is a decidedly remote detour. Located four hours northeast of Grand Canyon Village, it’s not on the way to anywhere, and there’s not much there. Seriously. 

But the dusty, bumpy ride along the 14-mile dirt road through the monuments is unforgettable. Among the most notable are the West and East Mitten Buttes, Three Sisters, John Ford’s Point, Totem Pole and Ear of the Wind. Wild horses can be seen along the way, and locals often set up shop by the road, selling handmade jewelry and other items.

Above, The Beast at Goulding's Lodge Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are other places the article covers.

To read more, go here.