Day 5 - Page to Monument Valley to Durango CO
Trip Start
Sep 19, 2007
1
5
18
Trip End
Oct 06, 2007
Durango,
Colorado,
United States
Monday, September 24, 2007
Weather Sunny
Temp: 86 ºF
Accom: Best Western Hotel
Check out of the hotel in Page and decided to take panoramic picture of the Dam area. Best spot is behind the Best Western Arizona Inn next door. Set up the tripods , set to low resolution since ounce it's stitched together the file would be big.
Today we are re-visiting Monument Valley. Got to Monument Valley just as I remembered it from years ago. I see the Monument Valley being featured in car commercials (usually trucks, 4X4's) all the time
Four Corners
. Many movies are filmed here, usually western. I have been here years ago and still think this place is awesome. The vivid red colour rocks make you think you are on another planet like Mars.You will know when you are approaching the valley once you turn off the freeway. One of the famous image of the valley - a long straight empty road leads across flat desert towards the red rocks on the horizon. Take a look at the picture posted, check out the tire mark on the road and you will see what I mean.
Cost $5.00 per person to enter. We saw guided tour 2.5 hours for $50.00 per person on 4 wheel drive vehicles . That's new.
The view from the Visitor center is spectacular. There is a gift shop & restaurant. The Valley Drive (self drive) - a 17 mile dirt road which starts at the Visitor center . You will see many rock formation with names like East Mitten Butte, West Mitten Butte, Merrick Buttes, Totem Pole, 3 sisters along the drive. Best spot is the North Window.
The road is very uneven and bumpy for non 4 wheel drive vehicles
Monument Valley
. Had lunch in the car by the 3 sisters. Must have spent 4 hours stop and drive along the valley drive.
There are limited accommodation around but saw new resort will be built shortly. A Navajo-owned The View Hotel and Resort is expected to be completed by 2008 .The gift shop already selling shirts with the resort name on it. Don't waste any time:>
Hop back in the car and drive to Durango. Stopped at Four Corners around 7:00 pm [there is a time change] there was a fee of $3.00 per person just to enter... rip off ! Good thing it was closing at 7:30 pm so there was no one at the gate to collect money . Drove in, it is just a circle marked the 4 states joined , Indian jewelry benches and snack bars. That's it ..Took the picture and move on..
Got to the Best Western Hotel at 9:00 pm. Check in and drove into town to look around . It's Sunday night nothing much is open. Nice place, western town. Too tire, decided not to eat. Back to hotel to relax.
Tips : Bring lunch, drinks to Monument Valley as there are not many places to eat around. There is a coffee shop at the Vistor Center but once you are on the valley drive, you have nothing for a while.
