Pictures do not do justice. They never do.
Hello from Navajo Nation!
I am writing in my hotel bed after mindlessly stuffing my face with Albanese sour gummy bears (The BEST! Starts sour and stays sour!), truffle cream pasta, stick to your ngalangala brownies and more, enjoying the last days of the year. My face sunburnt red, hair wet and eyelids heavy from today’s awe inspiring adventure around the nation.
This trip is not mine, but my husband’s. While I am the boots on the ground when it comes to our vacation planning, I never lifted a finger here. He did everything - the research, hotel bookings, itinerary. I sat back, relaxed and trusted his process.
Honestly, I should do more of this.
Today’s only agenda was Monument Valley. But with the COVID19 restrictions, limiting entry into the valley with only two hours to drive around the 17-mile scenic road through it. There was more time to kill, make the most out of our 16-hour one way drive from North Texas.
We drove north on US-163 to Forrest Gump Point - that exact location where Forrest Gump decided to end his run. So we tried hard not to be run over by speeding tourists…
Then we drove a down the highway a little more, following advice from an acquaintance who we actually bumped into in line inside Monument Valley. We made a beeline for Mexican Hat. A little bit racist? But doesn’t it look like a sombrero?
Then Goosenecks State Park, where the San Juan River snakes through the canyon like the namesake.
While we did use Google Maps to navigate our way through the park, the road signs were really there for the reason. Pre-smart phone technology, if you weren’t map savvy, they literally showed you the way. This was most helpful when you lose phone coverage. (AT&T and Verizon are decent, but can be spotty. T-Mobile will need roaming.)
“Natural Bridges National Monument” the sign read, so we followed. But then ten miles through, we saw “Valley of the Gods”. Bridges or Gods?
A sharp right we did make.
The cliffs, formed by millions of years of erosion from wind, water and earth, lined the sky. They were the Gods - ancient and majestic, staring down on us, specks of dust in their infinite universe.
I shrank with the urge to take a knee, head down, unworthy of being in their presence. I waited, listened, pressed click on my camera phone, to see if they’d speak. Their silence deafening. Their beauty maddening. Their presence commanding.
As we approach the end of the year, we forget just to be. All sights are set on the next one - setting goals, making plans, visualizing those manifestations of where we see ourselves.
Today, the Gods have spoken - Be here. Be now. That is all you need.
Hope you do enjoy the last day of 2021 before we crossover into the new one.
Much love from Navajo Nation, Arizona,
Didi