AZ Central's Guide To Monument Valley

Above, a sunrise view of the West Mitten. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park straddles the Arizona-Utah border. It was made famous by director John Ford in 1939's Stagecoach, starring John Wayne and Claire Trevor. It has appeared in many more movies since then.

I have visited Monument Valley several times. It is less than a half day's drive from home. I have camped at Goulding's Lodge Campground and at Monument Valley KOA.

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

AZ Central has posted an "ultimate guide" to Monument Valley listing the best things to do.

It begins with:

A boundless open sky greets travelers heading toward the Arizona-Utah border, with just a few red-orange sandstone monoliths reaching heights of up to 1,000 feet tall along the horizon.

The transcendental landscape at Monument Valley inspires visitors with its towering sandstone buttes so picturesque that it has served as a backdrop for many movies.

Monument Valley, the 91,696-acre tribal park on the Navajo Nation that spans parts of Arizona and Utah, was named by Arizona Republic readers as a finalist in the Most Beautiful Places in Arizona Poll, which was won by the Grand Canyon.

Monument Valley is a popular destination for travelers visiting northern Arizona and southern Utah. Here's how to plan a Monument Valley trip, including the best time to visit and what is the closest town.

To read more, go here. 

Time To Dump Daylight Savings Time

Spring forward, fall back.

President-elect Donald Trump wants to dump Daylight Savings Time. That is something I wholeheartedly support. It is a pain in the butt to have to change clocks twice a year. 

AZ Central has posted an article on this proposal. Arizona does not recognize Daylight Savings Time except for the Navajo Nation, which can be confusing.

They begin with:

While the rest of the country adjusts their clocks forward and backward each year, most Arizonans sleep soundly, knowing daylight saving time doesn’t affect them.

However, during the next presidential administration, the other 48 states could follow Arizona — and Hawaii, the only other state that skips seasonal time changes — and opt out of daylight saving time.

President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that he plans to work toward ending daylight saving time, supporting the long-debated effort to end semi-annual time changes.

Trump stated his intention to make standard time permanent — a change that would require congressional approval — and said the Republican Party will make its best efforts to abolish daylight saving time.

 To read the full article, go here.

August 14: Navajo Code Talkers Day

Above, the Navajo Code Talkers statue in Window Rock, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was Navajo Code Talkers Day.

The day is an annual celebration of the work by Navajos during World War II in passing on messages in their native language.

According to AZ Central:

Aug. 14 is Navajo Code Talkers Day, a date President Ronald Reagan dedicated in 1982 to "all members of the Navaho Nation and to all Native Americans who gave their special talents and their lives so that others might live."

Here are some important facts to know about the Navajo Code Talkers and how they are being honored.

To read more, go here. 

Best Things To Do At Navajo Nation Iconic Parks

Above, some Monument Valley petroglyphs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Navajo Nation is vast area that covers much of northern Arizona and New Mexico and some areas of Utah.

Parts of it are actually across Interstate 40 from my home in Jamestown, New Mexico.

The Navajo Nation has, what AZ Central calls, "iconic parks" to visit.

AZ Central has posted an article on what to do at four of the Navajo Nation parks.

They begin with:

Spread across northeastern Arizona is a spectacular landscape of colorful buttes and mesas, forested mountains, deep-cut canyons and ancient archeological sites that make up the Navajo Nation.

During the pandemic, it has been mostly off-limits to outsiders. Now that parks across the Navajo Nation have cautiously reopened, visitors can once again explore the stunning scenery and rich culture.

Currently, the parks are open at 50 percent capacity, which means services and operations are limited. Some restrictions are still in effect. Yet there’s still plenty to see and do if you’d like to plan an epic road trip.

Remember that masks are mandatory in the Navajo Nation. Please wear your mask. And unlike the rest of Arizona, the Navajo Nation observes Daylight Savings Time. Plan accordingly.

To read more, go here.