Monument Valley Tours Run Half-Empty

Above, the tour bus stopped at The Thumb during a
 sunrise tour I took in 2022. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In recent years, I have taken two guided tours of Monument Valley. Both were by open air bus originating from Goulding's Lodge. I also took a tour by horseback.

The Navajo Nation, in which Monument Valley is their tribal park, offers Jeep tours. It used to be necessary to make advance reservations as the tours were popular.

According to an article in Travelers Today, those tours have been running half-empty. The Goulding's Lodge tour I went on in 2022 was also half empty.

The article begins with: 

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is in the middle of its peak summer season, and something unusual is happening in the valley: the guided jeep tours that once required advance reservations are running at dramatically reduced capacity. The global drop in international travel to the United States has hit Navajo-owned tour operators at Monument Valley harder than almost anywhere else in the Southwest — and for a traveler arriving this summer, that creates a rare window of access, even as the park's fees are higher than ever and the Navajo Nation holds a presidential primary today that will shape its tourism policies through 2027.

Above, yours truly at a viewpoint during a sunrise tour in 2022.
The East Mitten and Merrick Butte are in the background.

To read more, go here. 

Exploring Landmarks and Culture of the Navajo Nation

Above, Window Rock is located in northeastern Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is wondering where to go for a summer vacation, they should consider places within the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo Nation primarily is located in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah in the Four Corners region of the U.S. 

MSN posted a slideshow article on places in the Navajo Nation that beckon tourism.

They begin it with:

The Navajo Nation offers a diverse array of natural wonders, historic sites, and cultural experiences. Visitors can explore Monument Valley’s sandstone formations, hike scenic trails, and join Navajo-guided tours to access restricted areas and learn traditional stories. Across the region, sacred landmarks, ancient cliff dwellings, memorials, and artisan markets highlight the deep connections between the land, history, and living traditions of the Navajo people.

To read more, go here. 

6 Notable Buttes of the American West

Above, the West and East Mittens of Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One great thing about traveling in an RV, car or truck, one can see up close rock formations around the U.S.

MSN posted a slide show of different buttes one can see. Most of them are in Monument Valley Tribal Park that straddles the Utah and Arizona border.

They begin it with:

Prominent buttes across the American West include formations in Monument Valley, the Badlands, and other desert landscapes. These steep-sided, flat-topped landmarks have been shaped by erosion over millions of years and are often celebrated for their cultural importance, particularly within the Navajo Nation. Many are recognized symbols of the region, featured in films, photographs, and scenic viewpoints.

To see the slide show, go here. 

Fire Rock Navajo Casino Celebrating 17 Years

Above, Fire Rock Navajo Casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The nearest Navajo casino to me is Fire Rock Navajo Casino outside of Gallup, New Mexico. 

I have been there several times, not to gamble (I've done some at their roulette table) but to have dinner at their restaurant, Cheii's.

The casino is celebrated its 17th anniversary this month.

According to Yogonet Casino News:

The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming) will be holding 17th anniversary events for the first Navajo gaming property, Fire Rock Navajo Casino, throughout the month of November. 

Seventeen years after opening its doors, the property continues to serve not only as a gaming venue but also as a key source of employment and training for members of the Navajo Nation, providing experience in hospitality, management, and gaming operations since its launch in 2008.

Operated by the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise, Fire Rock Navajo Casino was the first gaming property established by the Navajo Nation.

Located in the Church Rock Chapter near Gallup, N.M., the casino opened on November 19, 2008, setting the foundation for NNGE’s subsequent casino and travel plaza operations across New Mexico and Arizona.

To read more, go here. 

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. 

Stay In A Navajo 'Hogan' Home In Monument Valley

Above, a traditional Navajo hogan in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visitors to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park that straddles Utah and Arizona is a part of the Navajo Nation.

A Navajo woman in Monument Valley is opening her hogan to visitors for overnight stays.

AOL reported:

The Diné, or Navajo, are indigenous to the Southwestern United States, where they have lived for over a thousand years. Travelers seeking to explore Navajo traditions and culture can now stay in a hogan, a traditional dwelling, within the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, or Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii. A Navajo hogan is usually dome-shaped or multi-sided and built entirely out of natural elements like logs, bark, and mud.

The MonetValley Eco Hogan sits within the tribal park north of Kayenta, Arizona, and is owned by Verna Yazzie, a Navajo woman who was born and raised in Monument Valley. Her hogan, completed in 2020, is built out of juniper wood, bark, and sand. It is an off-grid structure with no electricity or running water, offering guests an extra dose of dark night skies (the area is renowned for its stargazing) and the chance to connect with the natural world.

By opening her hogan to visitors, Yazzie hopes to introduce people to the Navajo lifestyle, which traditionally involves herding sheep, weaving rugs, growing crops, and silversmithing. The name of her hogan, MonetValley, is an ode to her grandmother, who also lived in Monument Valley.

 To read more, go here.

Monument Valley: Ancient Stories Beyond Hollywood Fame

Above, the Mittens and Merrick Butte at sunrise. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Regular readers of this blog can safely guess that I have a fondness for the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park that straddles Utah and Arizona.

I have been there several times, most recently last September. It is my good fortune that I live within less than a half day's drive from it.

Le Journal Catalan has posted an article on Monument Valley.

They begin it with:

The red sandstone monoliths that punctuate the horizon at Monument Valley aren’t just rock formations – they’re ancient storytellers rising dramatically from the desert floor. This extraordinary landscape, straddling the Arizona-Utah border, represents one of America’s most iconic and instantly recognizable natural wonders, yet many visitors fail to fully appreciate its profound cultural significance.

A sacred homeland, not just a movie backdrop

While Hollywood westerns put Monument Valley on the tourist map, this 91,000-acre expanse represents much more to the Navajo (Diné) people who have called this region home for centuries. The tribal park sits within the Navajo Nation, where these dramatic formations – some towering over 1,000 feet tall – are considered sacred.

 To read more, go here.

Ultimate Guide To Monument Valley

Above, Monument Valley's West Mitten. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Being a resident of the northwestern sector of New Mexico, it affords me easy access to places in and around the Four Corners of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. 

Above, John Ford Point. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One place that's an easy three-hour (or so) drive from home is Monument Valley Tribal Park. I have been there four times, two of which has been within the past three years.

For those who may be wondering about where to go for a spring or summer vacation, Monument Valley should be placed high on the list. There are hotels and campgrounds for extended stays. I have stayed at two area campgrounds: Goulding's Lodge Campground and Monument Valley KOA.

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

Mygrandcanyonpark.com has posted an "ultimate guide" to visiting Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. 

It begins with:

Monument Valley Tribal Park, an iconic landscape of breathtaking beauty, has for centuries stood as a testament to the Navajo Nation’s culture, traditions and connection to the earth.

It is a place where nature’s wonders take center stage. The sandstone buttes, in hues ranging from warm oranges to deep reds, create a surreal and otherworldly landscape. Whether you plan to embark on a guided tour, traverse the scenic drives, or venture on foot to embrace the solitude of this ethereal landscape, Monument Valley Tribal Park promises an unforgettable experience.

Find this park in the very rural southeastern portion of Utah. It’s located just north of the Utah-Arizona border, off Hwy. 163, between Kayenta, Arizona and Mexican Hat, Utah. You’ll definitely want to add this park to your agenda if you’re visiting the Grand Canyon, or Utah’s eastern parks like Arches and Canyonlands. Just past the border, turn east onto Monument Valley Road, which takes you towards the visitors center and into the park.

Above, Ear of the Wind arch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more about Monument Valley, go here. 

Explore Navajo Interactive Museum

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

Here's a place I'll need to visit the next time I am in Northern Arizona.

It is the Explore Navajo Interactive Museum in Tuba City. Within the museum are exhibits of the World War II Navajo Code Talkers.

RV Travel has posted an article on the museum.

It begins with:

Located in Tuba City, Arizona, the Explore Navajo Interactive Museum offers visitors an engaging and immersive experience of the rich history and culture of the Navajo Nation.

Among its many exhibits, the museum pays homage to the incredible Navajo Code Talkers of World War II. The Code Talkers have always interested my husband and me, so we were excited to include this amazing museum on our RV itinerary. If you’re traveling through Northern Arizona, this interactive museum is a destination you won’t want to miss. Here’s why you should plan a visit.

To read more, go here.

Navajo Nation Sues Over Chaco Canyon Protections

Above, ancient pueblo Indian ruins at Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Navajo Nation is taking advantage of the change in presidential administrations by filing a lawsuit against the Department of the Interior in federal court over Chaco Canyon.

According to E & E News:

The Navajo Nation is heading to federal court to challenge a long-standing freeze on fossil fuel and mineral development within New Mexico’s Chaco Canyon.

The lawsuit filed last week in federal court in New Mexico challenges the Biden administration’s 2023 decision to withdraw federal lands within a 10-mile radius of the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to thousands of historical and spiritual artifacts. The move received strong support from the Pueblo and Hopi tribes.

The Navajo Nation alleged the Interior Department made its decision without properly consulting with its members about the economic consequences for tribal communities that are already facing financial hardship. 

To read more, go here. 

Monument Valley: Navajo Culture And Old West Hollywood History

Above, the West and East Mittens. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since 2016, I have been to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park three times. The first was part of my cross-country trip to Metropolis, Illinois.

Each time, I've done something different. During my first visit, I took a two-hour afternoon tour. On My second visit, I took a sunrise tour. Then, three months ago, I did some horseback riding. 

Above, the Sun's Eye. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Monument Valley is only a few hours away from home and I have enjoyed it each time I've been there.

Only In Your State posted a photo collection of what visitors can see in Monument Valley.

They begin with:

Welcome to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. This area of Utah was originally settled by Puebloan peoples, who lived here for 1,000 years,hunting and growing crops until roughly 1250 A.D.

 

Above, inside a Navajo hogan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To see the photographs, 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.

Forrest Gump Point At Monument Valley

Above, a view of Monument Valley from Forrest Gump Point. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my mini-vacation in September that took me from Ridgway, Colorado to Monument Valley, I took a route to Monument Valley that I hadn't taken before.

I came into Utah from the east and after entering the state, I headed south on U.S. Route 163 to enter Monument Valley. This route included Forrest Gump Point that was a few miles from the Monument Valley KOA Kampground where I stayed. 

According to Fat Man Little Trail:

For those of us who were enthralled with the majestic journey of a simple man from Greenbow, Alabama, Forrest Gump Point is a must see moment. The spot is where the long bearded Gump finally got tired and decided to go home.

The real spot is just outside of Mexican Hat, Utah near the entrance of Monument Valley. Nineteen miles from the Arizona border on US-163 is where you will find the spot that is marked by a green road sign. Either side of the two-lane highway has a few pull-offs to park. Local stands also sell memorabilia around the highway. Much like the movie, there isn’t a ton of fanfare for the location, and the surrounding beauty steals the show from the official spot.

I made a brief stop at Forrest Gump Point. As expected, other tourists also stopped there to take photos. Unlike some knuckleheads there, I did not stand in the middle of the highway to take pictures. At the Forrest Gump Viewpoint, there were Navajo vendor stalls selling jewelry and other trinkets. 

I only saw the movie Forrest Gump once when it first came out, so I vaguely remember the Monument Valley scene. 

Drug Cartels Ravaging Arizona, Montana Indian Reservations

Above, Window Rock Tribal Park and Veteran's Memorial. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last week, Gov. Tim Walz, Kamala Harris's running mate, appeared at a rally in Window Rock, Arizona. Window Rock is the capital of the Navajo Nation. 

For some odd reason, Native Americans tend to vote Democrat. But in doing so, they are cutting their own throats as the open border policies of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are allowing the drug cartels target tribal reservations.

The Daily Signal reported:

The Biden-Harris administration’s border crisis has had negative implications for all Americans, but one group that has suffered more than most—but received less attention than others—are American Indians living on reservations along the border.

As part of their efforts to smuggle drugs and traffic human beings across the southern border, Mexican cartels have specifically targeted and devastated these reservations.

Jurisdictional issues, insufficient law enforcement, and the open border all allow cartels to exploit tribal land and proliferate deadly substances like fentanyl on American Indian land.

Hopefully, former President Trump's rally in Albuquerque yesterday will do some good in swaying tribes to vote more Republican than in the past. 

To read more, go here.

A Stop At Four Corners Monument

Above, the Four Corners Monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The trip is now over and I am back home.

I took a different route from Monument Valley. It was a bit longer, but it allowed me to stop at Four Corners Monument and then directly to Gallup, New Mexico so I could pick up my meds at the pharmacy.

Above, the approach to Four Corners Monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Four Corners Monument (I guess it is called "National Monument" in some places) but it appears to be run by the Navajo tribe. It cost $8.00 per person for admission.

The monument is a lot more elaborate than it was when I went there back in the 1980s. The last time I was there was in 1985.

Above, the monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The monument is surrounded on all sides by vendor stalls. The vendors are Navajo tribal members selling jewelry, t-shirts, artworks and other things. 

Above, vendor stalls at left and background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The monument marks the sport where four state corners meet: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. I heard that the monument's location is not accurate. 

According to Wikipedia:

Misplacement controversy

Since the early 20th century, controversies have arisen regarding the accuracy of the monument's placement. After the initial surveys, it was found that the borders did not always follow the lines of meridian and parallel (as had been intended) due to the primitive surveying technology available at the time. This discrepancy left the four states asking if the correct borders were the exact lines of meridian and parallel (and if new, more accurate, surveys needed to be done), or if the markers placed during the initial surveys were now the actual border.

New Mexico sued Colorado in 1919, and when the Supreme Court in 1925 ruled that the markers placed during the initial surveys were the actual borders, even if the markers were off in some locations (this includes the Four Corners Monument), the issue was resolved. Today's legal description of these border lines is based on the original markers, and not the written description of the borders created when the territories were formed. Because of this, the borders between these states are not perfectly straight and often zigzag.

One example is the border between Colorado and Utah, where in one area the border jogs west about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from where it was intended to be placed by the written description (i.e. the 32nd meridian west from Washington – 38°16′34″N 109°03′38″W). Because of the Supreme Court decision, the border set out by the markers remains the border between the two states.

This issue resurfaced briefly in 2009 with U.S. media reports that the monument was placed 2.5 miles (4.0 km) west of its intended location. This was soon found to be the result of a mistaken assumption: that the Prime Meridian, used in the United States since 1912, was used. In actuality, the 19th century surveys used the previous Washington meridian. A spokesperson for the U.S. National Geodetic Survey (USNGS) has stated that the USNGS has determined that the modern monument is located roughly 1,800 feet (550 m) east of where the Four Corners marker had originally been intended to be located by the US Congress in 1863. The spokesperson, however, reiterated that the 1875 survey was accepted by all states and therefore its markers, including the Four Corners Monument, are legally binding. Similar statements were issued by the Navajo Nation, defending their work in maintaining and promoting the monument.

Above, a plaque at the Four Corners Monument. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I guess that settled the matter.  

If anyone has in mind to scatter cremated remains at this or at other Tribal Park land, there is a sign at the monument calling cremation a "malicious desecration" in Navajo cultural belief. You've been warned!

Above, the sign forbidding scattering cremains on tribal lands. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's Horseback Ride

For the first time in 50 years, I did some horseback riding with a Navajo guide.

The ride on a mare named Eva lasted an hour and a half. The ride departed from the Monument Valley KOA. 

Before today, the last time I rode a horse was in July 1974 on Catalina Island. 

This was a pleasant ride and Lewis, the guide, pointed out various rock formations.

Some photos from the ride:

Navajo Nation Acquires Historic Goulding's Lodge

Above, the historic Goulding's Lodge trading post and living quarters of the Gouldings. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The historic Goulding's Lodge is now officially owned and will be operated by the Navajo Nation.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on June 14.

According to Hoodline:

In an event marked by a gentle rainfall, the Navajo Nation officially took ownership of Goulding's Lodge, a historic site nestled in the heart of Monument Valley. The ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 14 saw Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and other dignitaries celebrate this momentous acquisition. "This is a day we’ve been waiting for," President Nygren said, regarding the collaboration's success between the legislative and executive branches that facilitated this deal, as stated by the Navajo Nation Office of the President.

Founded by Harry and Mike Goulding in the 1920s, the lodge is now a world-renowned tourist location, boasting yearly projected revenues between $22 and $31 million, as per the Office of the President. The purchase, finalized in October 2023 for a sum of $59.5 million, was a joint effort between the 25th Navajo Nation Council and the Division of Economic Development, aiming to funnel the income into supporting Navajo programs and bolstering the local economy.

Above, at Goulding's Lodge Campground in October 2022. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Goulding's Lodge includes a restaurant, market, hotel and campground. I stayed at the campground twice, most recently two years ago.

To read more, go here. 

For Navajo and Hopi Tribes, Daylight Savings Is Confusing

Above, the Navajo Nation's Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I go into Arizona during the summer months, I have to be mindful that the state is not observing Daylight Savings Time. 

Arizona is under Mountain Time, the same as New Mexico, but with the exception of the Navajo Nation within the state, Daylight Saving Time is not observed. The Navajo Nation in Arizona observes Daylight Savings Time.

However, the Hopi tribe does not observe Daylight Savings Time. 

As one can imagine, this causes a lot of confusion.

The Arizona Daily Sun has posted an article on how bad the confusion gets.

They begin with:

Those who live on the Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation — the largest Native American reservation in the U.S. — endure mind-bending calculations every March through November.

The Navajo Nation, which also stretches into Utah and New Mexico, reset its clocks for one hour later despite being situated between two territories that remain on standard time: the rest of Arizona and the neighboring Hopi reservation.

It's made for an especially unique situation with the Hopi reservation, which is landlocked within the Navajo Nation and goes by standard time year-round. A stretch of U.S. 160 in Tuba City is the de facto border between the two reservations and two time zones.

To read the full article, go here. 

7 Top Tips For Photographing Monument Valley

Above, West and East Mittens and Merrick Butte at sunrise. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who plan to travel to Monument Valley Tribal Park that is located at the Arizona-Utah border, photographing it is a must.

Monument Valley is famous for being the location of such movies as Stagecoach, My Darling Clementine, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, The Searchers and Forrest Gump, just to name a few.

For photographing Monument Valley, Digital Camera World has seven tips that will come in handy.

They begin with:

For many, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is the American West. It’s been the backdrop to countless movies and the subject of some spectacular landscape photography over many decades, Monument Valley on the Arizona Utah border is a destination that requires some research if you are to get the most out of it. 

The classic view in Monument Valley is of three Navajo Sandstone buttes called West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte and Merrick Butte. There are many other compositions to try your hand at, but the view of these three buttes – as captured while standing next to the visitor center, of course – is the image most photographers want to capture. The joy is to get that image on your own terms, both at sunrise and sunset, and possibly at night, too, without ignoring the rest of the richly photogenic area. 

To read more, go here. 

Navajo Nation Moves To Purchase Gouldings

Above, the original Goulding's Lodge and trading post in 2022. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The nearly 100-year-old Goulding's Lodge near Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park may be purchased by the Navajo Nation. 

Goulding's Lodge was founded by Harry Goulding in the 1920s and served Hollywood, especially director John Ford, starting with the 1939 classic, Stagecoach, starring John Wayne and Claire Trevor. 

According to the San Juan Record:

The nearly 100-year-old iconic Goulding properties in Monument Valley are moving closer to changing ownership to the Navajo Nation.

Members of the Navajo Nation Council approved legislation on October 17 to approve the purchase of Goulding’s Monument Valley Lodge for $59.5 million.

The legislation was sponsored by Council Delegate Herman Daniels, Jr. Delegate Daniels represents Tsah Bii Kin, Navajo Mountain, Shonto, and Oljato chapters on the Navajo Nation Council.

“The purchase of Goulding’s is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Navajo Nation and has the backing of the Oljato Chapter who passed a resolution supporting the purchase,” said Daniels.

While the agreed purchase price for the property is $59.5 million, the Nation shares it is $13.9 million below the appraised value of the property. The property will be purchased using money from the Navajo Nation Land Acquisition Trust Fund.

A presentation given to the Navajo Nation Council in July estimated the Navajo Nation would generate an annual return of $7.4 million, a return of investment of 12.45 percent for the tribe.  

Included with the purchase of the property are assets that include 670 acres of land, a Monument Valley Tour business, an RV campground with rental cabins, the gas station and convenience store, grocery store, the airstrip, and all existing utilities. 

Above, my 2016 Goulding's Lodge Campground campsite. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have stayed at Goulding's Lodge Campground twice, in 2016 and, most recently, in October 2022. Both times I have taken their tours of Monument Valley.

If the sale to the Navajo Nation goes through, I hope they keep the Goulding's name.

To read more, go here.