Cliffside Homes

Saturday (9/22) we went to two National Monuments . . .the Navajo National Monument and Canyon de Chelly. At both places we were able to view ancient dwellings built into the canyon walls. Since it was a hot day and the 3-5 hour ranger-led hike to experience the Betatakin ("ledge house") ruins is fairly strenuous, we opted for the cross-canyon view of these Anasazi pueblos from the Sandal Trail (1.3 mile hike). Mark also descended 300 feet (part way into the canyon) on the Aspen Trail. (The trail was fairly steep and it was too warm for me to do all that climbing!) 

Sandal Trail

The Betatakin ruins are inside the arch.

Betatakin

Aspen Trail

You must have a Navajo guide to enter Canyon de Chelly, so we chose to get a glimpse of the cliffside dwellings from the rim of the canyon. (We have found the guided tours very interesting, but pricey:) We drove the 71 miles along the North and South Rims stopping at the overlooks to view the Navajo farmlands on the canyon floor and the ancient dwellings built into the sides of the vertical cliff walls.

The homes are located in the alcoves you see in the face of the cliff.

Look closely to see the buildings on the ledge and below it.

We spent the night at Canyon de Chelly's Cottonwood Campground. It had been a very warm and dusty day so we used our outside shower for the first time this trip.

Normally on these cross country trips we hardly ever eat out. That has not been the case this time. Since we rarely have had good enough 3G access to post pictures to this blog, we have had to look for McDonalds and use their wifi. Of course you can't just sit at McDonalds and use their wifi without ordering something to eat. I try to be good and order a chicken snack wrap, but Mark always orders a big mac and LARGE fries to share with me (they are so yummy slathered in ketchup). I have decided I need to stop indulging in those fries! I can tell I am putting on weight:(

Please pray for willpower (or more 3G:)

 

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