Chacoans, Puebloans, and Navajos . . .

Anne and I have been reading “Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher” by Timothy Egan which tells the story of Edward Curtis who captured Native American life with his camera, pen, and recordings in the early 1900’s.  It’s a great book about a man's passion for documenting American Indian life in some of the places we are now visiting.

Of course life here goes way back to mystery people who inhabited the canyons and valleys a thousand years ago.  We’ll let you do your own research if you are interested.

First stop was Chaco Canyon, followed by Canyon de Chellie, and Monument Valley -- the last two in the current Navajo nation.  It is impossible to describe, and even the pictures don’t begin to provide perspective -- hopefully they give a hint at the grandeur.

We have taken a guided tour through the ruins of the Chacoan capital, ridden our bikes past towering mesas, hiked deep into canyons, and driven a rough road around Monument Valley all the while expressing amazement at the changing spectacles.

Camping has been great and each night we meet wonderful people -- a couple from Colorado who answered all my camper logistics questions, and three people from Maine, just up the coast from Deer Isle. 

Here is Chaco Culture National Historical Park...

Heading west to Arizona...

 

 to Canyon de Chelly National Monument.

Then Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

On to the Grand Canyon!