Discover Navajo

Our first experience to learn more about the American Indian tribe called Diné (Navajo – the People) was when we drove to Northern Arizona to the town of Chinle.  Nestled in this area of nearly 84,000 acres within the Navajo Indian Reservation is Canyon de Chelly (d’SHAY) National Monument – sitting at an elevation of 5,000 feet.  We pulled into Cottonwood Campground just below the Visitor’s Center where we set up home for a couple of days.

 

Canyon de Chelly was established in 1931 to preserve the record of history for the Navajo peoples and is administered by the National Park Service.  There is a North and South Rim drive that includes Canyon de Chelly and Canyon de Muerto – composed of sandstone and igneous rock with towering stone monolith sand ledges that tell the story of these ancient people.
 
The rock walls start at 30 feet deep and rise to over 1,000 feet above the sandy canyon floor.  The overlooks that we drove to on both the North Rim and South Rim were absolutely spectacular.

North Rim ~

It was advised to take this drive first (34 miles round trip) as the natural light for viewing these overlooks is best mid-morning:   Antelope House, Mummy Cave and Massacre Cave.  Our highest elevation on this drive was 6,838 feet.

Antelope House Overlook

This area was used as a refuge by early Navajos

Canyon floor

 

Cliff dwellings dating back to 1280

 

Enlarged - looks almost surreal!

 

South Rim ~

This drive offers panoramic views of these overlooks where the elevation rises from 5,000 -7,000 feet:  Tsejo, Junction and White House.   The “highlight” is really Spider Rock Overlook at 6,871 feet.  Here is where you can really see the beauty in the 800 foot sandstone spires that rise from the canyon floor.  It is breathtaking!



Tsejo Overlook with a view of Navajo farmland

 

Junction Overlook

 

Beautiful!

 

Spider Rock

 

 

In keeping with our love of plants, here are a few to share.

Beautiful wildflowers growing everywhere!

Narrow leaf Yucca

Indian Paintbrush

Snakeweed

We'd like to share with you some art pieces that we purchased when we were on the North Rim Overlook drive.  Local artists typically have their art displayed at each of the sites for you to see and ask question of.   

The Bear represents courage, physical strength and leadership.  The split circle in the upper right hand corner signifies water – day and night – and the small hand prints along the bottom of the stone stand for human life.  This sign was believed to channel energy to the wearer.

Kokopelli (on his back) is playing his flute to Father Sky hoping for rain for Mother Earth.  Many hand prints painted on this piece also.

Bracelet made of Juniper berries

   This experience was quite the adventure for us.  Next stop on our Navajo adventure was Four Corners Monument.  This is the only place where four states (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado) come together at one place.  It is quite a unique landmark.  Tourists have to get their picture taken on the medallion and we were no exception.  Each of the state boundaries radiate from the disk with the state seal within that boundary.  It was a quiet day when we were there – cloudy but at least no rain – and we were lucky when a gentleman said that he would take our picture.  Entrance fee is $5/person.  Their Indian Fry Bread keeps the tradition of the four states as well!

 

 

Some Navajo trivia ~

Ø Largest tribe in North America which spans into SE Utah, NW New Mexico and northern Arizona.

Ø Their language was used as a secret code in WWII to defeat the Japanese.  They were known as the “Navajo Code Talkers”.

Ø They believe that maintaining a balance with Father Sun and Mother Earth is key to harmonious life.

Ø Cultural pride reflected in their arts of rugs, baskets, turquoise and silver jewelry, pottery, etc.

Our Arizona experience over this winter has been amazing.  We definitely will be back as there are so many other places that we have not yet seen.  Thus, we start the trek northward through New Mexico and into Colorado for now.  We can’t wait to share the next Blog update with you.  So, until then, enjoy our travels! 

Hugs to all ~ Kay & Jeff