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.

Monument Valley: It Should Be On One's Bucket List

Above, Monument Valley's West and East Mittens. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Monument Valley is one place that every American, especially film buffs, are familiar with.

It is best known through westerns directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne starting with Stagecoach in 1939.

It has appeared in non-western movies as well, such as Forrest Gump (1994) and, believe it or not, Godzilla Final Wars (2004).

A tour of Monument Valley (a Navajo tribal park) should be on everyone's bucket list. 

Only In Your State posted an article on making Monument Valley on bucket list of tours to take.

They begin it with:

Monument Valley is one destination that is rich in beauty, culture, and history. However, it is also a destination that is often overlooked and doesn’t receive the attention that many national and state parks in Utah receive. To help change that, there is one underrated tour that is an absolute must. It is the Monument Valley Historical Sightseeing Tour and it will change the way you think and feel about this remarkable and unique area in southern Utah. It’s a tour that every history buff, Utah resident, and out-of-state guest needs to put at the top of their bucket list.

Above, yours truly at Artist's Point in 2022.

I took the 2.5 hour afternoon tour in 2016 and the sunrise tour in 2022. Both were equally enjoyable. I camped at Goulding's Lodge Campground both times.

To read more, go here. 

Chaco Canyon: Remote Historical Park

Above, some of the ruins at Chaco Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park (commonly known as Chaco Canyon) is not far from my home in New Mexico. It is located northeast of Crownpoint. 

The only thing about Chaco Culture National Historical Park is that in order to get there, one must drive about 20 miles of dirt road, which sometimes gets rough with rain ruts. I visited it two years ago.

Still, it is a worthwhile place to visit. It has one campground, Gallo Campground. If planning to camp there, bring plenty of water.

Above, Gallo Campground at Chaco Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Only In Your State has posted an article on Chaco Canyon.

They begin it with:

Located in a remote section of the Four Corners region, Chaco National Historical Park is one of the state’s most underrated parks. However, it’s one that everyone should consider visiting. With its historical and cultural significance including ancient dwellings, there’s a lot to see at this remote national park in New Mexico.

To read more, go here. 

6 Natural Wonders In Arizona

Above, the Three Sisters in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The state of Arizona is handy for me in New Mexico as the border is only 40 miles away from home.

There are plenty of natural wonders in the "Grand Canyon State" and Only In Your State Has spotlighted six of them.

They begin with:

The Grand Canyon State is a nature lover’s dream – not only because we’re blessed with so many incredible places to explore, but also because some of the most iconic natural wonders in Arizona are just as beautiful in every season. From snowcapped mountains to valleys covered in spring wildflowers to fall foliage that belongs on a postcard, there is no shortage of natural beauty in the state we’re lucky enough to call home.

To read more, go here. 

Gallup 9th Street Flea Market

Above, the Gallup 9th Street Flea Market. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been about two years since I was last at the Gallup 9th Street Flea Market, thanks to the pandemic. But prior to that, I have attended it a few times and it is a good place to spend an hour or two browsing around.

Things appear to be back to normal and the Gallup 9th Street Flea Market is up and running again.

Only In Your State has posted an article on the flea market with photographs.

They begin with:

You can’t go wrong when you visit a flea market in New Mexico. You can find unique items, great deals, and fun gifts. But if you’re looking for a flea market that has it all, be sure to check out Gallup Flea Market. In addition to offering great treasure hunting, there is delicious food, great music, and even pony rides for the kids!

Located in Gallup, New Mexico, about two hours west of Albuquerque, you will find the Gallup 9th Street Flea Market. It is one of the largest Native American markets in the United States and has been operating for more than 25 years.

Above, the Gallup 9th Street Flea Market does have pony rides. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Hike Along The Rim Of A Dormant Volcano

Above, the Phantom Ship in the smoky haze. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have been to Crater Lake National Park three times, the last time being five years ago during my Great American Eclipse trip. One time, my parents and I hiked down to the water. That was enjoyable, but the hike back up was something else. It was a good thing I was 19 at the time and handled it okay.

While the trip to Crater Lake was enjoyable, it was slightly marred by wildfires in the area. The smoke from those fires settled inside the crater, giving it a hazy look.

Only In Your State has posted an article on hiking around the rim of Crater Lake.

It begins with:

There’s nowhere on Earth quite like Crater Lake, and here in Oregon, we are immensely proud to call it ours. There are many ways to experience this extraordinary national park in Oregon, from cruising the 33-mile-long Rim Drive that encircles the lake to chartering a boat that journeys through its pristine waters. Our favorite, however, is the old-fashioned way: on foot. Clocking in at an easy (and flat) four miles, the Discovery Point Trail is one of the most accessible and popular treks in the park, and it allows adventurers to literally hike along the rim of this magnificent dormant volcano in Oregon.

To read more (and see plenty of photos), go here.

New Mexico "Enchilada Trail" Four Years Later

Above, this evening at Genaro's in Gallup.

Four years ago, about a couple of weeks after I moved to Mexico, I posted about the "New Mexico Enchilada Trail" of restaurants who Only In Your State says have the best enchiladas.

This evening, Larry Lucier and I went to Genaro's in Gallup for dinner. It was one of the restaurants recommended by Only In Your State that first got me to try out. Of course, I had enchiladas.

I was telling Larry about the "Enchilada Trail" during dinner and after getting home, I looked it up and found that I have now been to two of the restaurants listed. The other one was Sadie's of New Mexico in Albuquerque (actually, I've been to two of their restaurants in Albuquerque). 

There is one on the list that I haven't been to but is not too far: Kiva Café in Milan. Milan is right next to Grants and is about 40 miles away. I'll have to give that restaurant a try.

The website seems to have been updated in 2020. 

To see who made the list, go here.

Monument Valley One Of The Best Family Vacation Destinations

Above, "Eye of the Wind" arch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether or not one is a western movie fan, Monument Valley Tribal Park that straddles the Arizona-Utah border is one place everyone should at least visit once. I have been there twice.

Monument Valley Tribal Park is part of the Navajo Nation and has been named one of the best family vacation destinations in the U.S.

According to Only In Your State:

When you want to take a family vacation in Utah, the opportunities are endless. You have five national parks to explore and dozens of scenic byways and state parks that are worth your time. However, you may find that when the whole family is coming along, finding a getaway location that is unique, beautiful, and exciting is a little challenging. The popular publication, Country Living, released a list of the best family vacation destinations in the United States, and Monument Valley, located in the southwest corner and along the Arizona/Utah state line, made the list.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park was first established in 1958 and is the first established tribal park. This is not only one of the most beautiful and unique places in Utah to visit, but it is also one of the most sparsely populated.

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

Along with picturesque rock formations, the park also has petroglyphs and ancient pueblo dwellings to see.

There are also hotels and campgrounds nearby with Goulding's Lodge and Campground the most famous. I stayed at the campground in 2016.

To read more, go here. 

Enchiladas At Genaro's In Gallup

Above, the outside of Genaro's. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"If you suffer from hemorrhoids, the sauce will surely weld them shut!" - Unknown.

Finally got my first taste of New Mexico Mexican food!

Since there is supposed to be a storm coming in tonight with snow in the forecast for tomorrow morning, I figured that tonight would be a good time to try out one of the restaurants listed in "The New Mexico Enchilada Trail" that I posted about last month.

The Gallup, New Mexico restaurant that was included in the list was Genaro's. I decided to give their enchiladas a try. I have to admit that once I got there, I was sorely tempted to get the chili rellenos instead. But I will try those on my next visit.

Here's what Only In Your State said about Genaro's:

The chicken enchiladas at Genaro’s are authentic and succulent. It’s hard to decide whether the red or green sauce is better here, so go for Christmas. Genaro’s is a bit of a diamond in the rough but you won’t regret giving this restaurant a chance. It’s located at 600 W Hill Avenue in Gallup.

I elected to go with beef enchiladas with red sauce. I wasn't disappointed! It was great and the sauce was so hot (in a spicy way) that sweat was dripping down my forehead and my scalp was saturated. I felt like I needed to rush home to wash my hair. It was THAT good! I can see why there's a big (and I do mean BIG) napkin dispenser at each table. Diners need them to wipe the perspiration off.

Above, my meal before it was totally consumed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along with the three enchiladas, the dinner came with hominy, refried beans and rice (not the usual dry Spanish rice).

Genaro's was established in 1975 and Gigi Garcia is the owner. The hours are 10:30 am to 7:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday (good thing I decided to go there today since they are closed tomorrow).

When I arrived, the restaurant was packed with people. The decor isn't much to look at since it looks like a mom & pop diner. But it's the food that's most important.

My grade: A.

"New Mexico Enchilada Trail"

A friend sent a link to me on the "New Mexico Enchilada Trail" by Only In Your State.

Well, since I love enchiladas anyway, the link was of great interest to me. Besides sharing this here, I am also posting it so I don't forget about it (old age, you know).

It is a circle in New Mexico of recommended restaurants starting and ending in Albuquerque. Fortunately, one of the restaurants in the circle is in nearby Gallup, Genaro's Cafe. I'm definitely going there.

Here's the map of the "New Mexico Enchilada Trail":

To read the article on the "New Mexico Enchilada Trail" at Only In Your State, go here.