In the state of Arizona, near its eastern edge is Canyon de Chelly (pronounced “de-SHAY”) National Monument. If you have a chance to visit you will be awarded with spectacular views and glimpses into traditional Native American life.
On the Navajo Indian reservation, this dramatic, sandstone-walled canyon preserves centuries-old ancestral puebloan dwellings and rock art. For more than 300 years now, the Navajo have inhabited this land. Between the canyon’s 1000 foot walls, humble farms, hulking sandstone pillars and the occasional hogan (a traditional Navajo home). On the cliff walls you will spy small adobe dwellings.
The canyon has two scenic rim drives with panoramic overlooks. We drove the North Rim road in the morning hours. You can capture great photographs at the sweeping Antelope House Overlook. We then took the South Rim road in the afternoon, where there were seven canyon overlooks including Spider Rock, its dual sandstone spires towering 800 feet above the canyon floor. I'll let the pictures do the talking.....
On the Navajo Indian reservation, this dramatic, sandstone-walled canyon preserves centuries-old ancestral puebloan dwellings and rock art. For more than 300 years now, the Navajo have inhabited this land. Between the canyon’s 1000 foot walls, humble farms, hulking sandstone pillars and the occasional hogan (a traditional Navajo home). On the cliff walls you will spy small adobe dwellings.
The canyon has two scenic rim drives with panoramic overlooks. We drove the North Rim road in the morning hours. You can capture great photographs at the sweeping Antelope House Overlook. We then took the South Rim road in the afternoon, where there were seven canyon overlooks including Spider Rock, its dual sandstone spires towering 800 feet above the canyon floor. I'll let the pictures do the talking.....
Once inside we picked up our Junior Ranger packet, and viewed some of the displays showing the way of life in the canyon.
On our way out of the visitor center they had a Hogan set up that you could look inside. It was pretty interesting to see how they would have their homes set up and how it was built.
Garrett trying to beat the heat :)
Grandma Sutton and Garrett.
The first North Rim stop was Antelope House Overlook. We walked a path which lead to several overlooks. I was thankful to have a hat to keep the sun off my face. It was going to be a hot but beautiful day!!
Taking a picture of one of the plants that Garrett had to recognize for his Junior Ranger book. I love that they have these books for kids, because of this Garrett was keeping an eye out for the plants and animals to see along the way. This one was the Yucca plant and the root from this plant was used to make soaps and its leaves used for rope baskets and sandals.
We kept Garrett away from the edge and Tim and I would take turns going to look. Some of the edges had walls where we could take him, but others were just drop offs and we weren't chancing it.......It sure was beautiful though. Almost as pretty as the Grand Canyon!!
While we were waiting Garrett was having fun climbing on all the different rock formations. Here is taking some photos with mom and dad :)
Once again learning....Grandma showing Garrett a Juniper Berry which was on his Junior Ranger book. This tree makes good firewood and they use the blue berries for medicine.
Do you see the blue berries???
Our next stop Mummy Cave Overlook. The main structure, is an impressive, angular, fort-like building with a three story tower, sat into the side of the wall. There are many other ruined buildings at either side (over 80 rooms in total), in two deep alcoves near the base of the cliffs. The site was named following the discovery of two mummies nearby.
Do you see the little buildings all the way to the right?
Looking down into the Canyon and seeing the animals and homes and knowing people lived down there was amazing!! You could have also taken a jeep tour, but we are going to leave that for another day.....
The little lizard that ran across our path.....Garrett thought that was so cool!!
Waving to dad as we walk back up the path.
There was only two things left on Linda's bucket list. Canyon De Chelly was one of them. I think she was really enjoying herself!!
The reason we won't let Garrett get too close......drop off on just the other side!!
Massacre Cave Overlook has short paths to two viewpoints; one of the cave, which is another big alcove, and was the site of a massacre in 1805. Many Navajo had taken shelter in the cave, whilst under attack from Spanish soldiers. The location was difficult to enter from below but within view of the canyon rim, and as a result, after a day of fighting, over 110 were killed. The other overlook is of a small ruin (Yucca Cave) tucked into a side canyon alcove, reached after descending a short set of steps.
Showing Garrett the nuts and cones from the trees that had fallen on the ground. The Navajo use everything that the land provides.
When you look down into the canyon you can see the farmland and animals. It's a neat perspective to see from up above.
More learning experiences for Garrett......this time poop......yes, you can even learn from that :) We figured it was either a cow's or a horse from the area.
Love this shot of the bird flying over!!
Grandma is really enjoying herself!! I love that Tim took these pictures of his Mom :)
Garrett was really enjoying himself as well!!
Massacre Cave where so many lost their lives.
We then headed over to the South Rim. On our way Garrett decided to take a nap so we headed to the farthest spot first. The easternmost viewpoint on the South Rim Drive, and perhaps the best, is of Spider Rocks, the twin towers of sandstone. A 1/4 mile path leads to the overlook. The elevation at Spider Rocks Overlook is nearly 7,000 feet, 1,500 feet higher than the town.They were so majestic!!
Taking a picture of the cactus, they are so pretty when they have the flowers.
Face Rock Overlook. The rock is a prominent fin, projecting from the north rim a little way upstream; also in view are one set of ruins, nearly opposite. A very short trail leads to the overlook, right on the brink of 700 foot cliffs.
Some cows grazing below.
Garrett and I heading back to the car. We decided to head back to the Visitor Center so Garrett could get his first Junior Ranger Badge. He was pretty excited!!
Seeing lots of animals on our way back. Most of the cows, horses, sheep, goats, and other animals here are all considered free range. Meaning they go where they want, when they want. Definitely not something you would see in the Midwest :)
We are trying to figure out what the stacked rocks mean. We thought maybe a burial site of someone?
Finally made it back to the Visitor Center!! Grandma Sutton gave Garrett a donation to make to the park. Stamping our National Park book!!
The Ranger was checking our answers to make sure they were correct and helping us fill in those we weren't sure of.
Garrett finally taking the Junior Ranger Oath and getting his badge. This program is the best for learning in the parks!! Love this so much!! Junior Ranger Pledge: As a Junior Ranger, I promise to teach others about what I learned today, explore other parks and historic sites, and help preserve and protect these places so future generations can enjoy them.
He was so proud of that badge!!
Next stop was Tunnel Overlook. The viewpoint is of a short, boulder-filled side canyon, which gives a partial view down to the main gorge, here still quite shallow, about 250 feet deep.
A lizard blended right in. We almost didn't see him.....
Tsegi Overlook was our next stop.
Ruins are seen for the first time at Junction Overlook, where Canyon del Muerto joins Canyon de Chelly from the north, though the actual intersection is partly hidden behind an isolated, circular butte (Dog Rock). The edge of the cliffs at the viewpoint is reached by a short trail over slickrock. There are two sets of distant ruins visible, near the foot of the north rim walls - ten-room Junction Ruin, the easiest to spot, and First Ruin a little way west.
This is the most popular overlook since it lies opposite the famous White House Ruins, an 80-room settlement scenically situated beneath a graceful, slightly overhanging cliff streaked with desert varnish. But the overlook also has good views over several miles of the canyon and of a few large, semi-detached buttes upstream, from an elongated cliff edge just beyond the parking lot. The White House Ruin Trail starts here, and much of its route is in view from the overlook, as is the dirt road beside Chinle Wash, taking jeep travelers to the ruins and beyond.
Garrett was having fun pretending this was his motorcycle while waiting. Such an imagination!!
Sliding House Overlook our last stop is close to several ancient structures, most visibly Sliding House Ruin, a medium-sized site in a shady alcove, built on a sloping surface and giving the appearance of sliding downwards. The overlook is situated on a projecting section of the canyon rim edged by sheer cliffs on three sides, and so allows different views from each edge. Canyon de Chelly hereabouts is particularly steep-walled and spectacular. Because of these sheer cliffs Garrett and I stayed behind while Tim and his Mom took some photos.
Was an amazing day. Definitely a place to visit if you've never been. One last picture to end our day :)
