Sunrise Tour of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Above, yours truly at Artist's Point.

This morning, I got up early (I usually do anyway) to get ready for the Sunrise Tour of Monument Valley NavajoTribal Park.

The tour bus came to the campground at 6:30. I was the only passenger to be picked up at the campground. But there were more people to be picked up at Goulding's Lodge hotel. Out driver and tour guide was Bennett. He was a good Navajo guide and very informative. He also had a great sense of humor (more about that later in the photos below).

We had ten of us in all on the tour. Besides Americans, we also had families from Germany and Belgium.

The tour route had us go along the 17-mile drive in Monument Valley, stopping at different viewpoints. One thing I learned was that the Arizona-Utah border goes right in-between the Left and Right Mittens. 

The road was a bit rough due to recent rains, but the tour bus handled it fine. Thankfully, it wasn't too cold out, about 52°. But I dressed warmly, just in case it was colder.

Naturally, plenty of photos were taken during the tour and here's a sampling (the program put these in last to first order):

Above, yours truly at the viewpoint for The Mittens.

Above, when I saw this, it made me think of the Monoliths in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
I told this to Bennett, our driver and guide, and he laughed and now sees the same thing.

Above, interesting formations.

Above, Totem Pole.

Above, Spearhead.

Above, our tour bus.

Above, The Thumb. Sometimes called John Wayne's Boot.

Above, John Ford Point.

Above, the Three Sisters.

Above, Mitchell Butte and the moon.

Above, the Left Mitten.

Above, The Mittens and Merrick Butte.

Above, on the drive to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.