Moab and Monument Valley, 19th - 20th August

Wednesday was a free day in Moab, all sorts of activities were available but mostly I just chilled in town and posted some blogs either from the public library and later from Woody's Bar on Main. That evening we went for a  frive out of town and a short walk to a swimming hole for some fun.

Whlist swimming and jumping in we also found some wild life, a little lizard and a crayfish.

Zoe jumping in.

L to R, Paola, Megan, Clare and Lawrence.

Whilst negotiating some slippery rocks just above the waterfall, Tracey slipped and fell in but saved some important things from getting wet.

Steve and David were too scared of Zoe to ask her a question about lunch having been told last night and forgotten the answer so hid whilst I asked her on their behalf.

It was yet another long drive day but we had a break for lunch in a small town and some people went ten pin bowling which was part of a local petrol station, cum supermarket cum fast food joint with its own bowling alley.

The Sombrero Rock en route to Monument Valley and Navajo Reserve.

Those of you who have seen Forest Gump will recognise this stretch of road as that that he ran down.

Penelope climbing the flagstaff.

we arrived in Monument Valley and started taking photos. Many of the buttes featured in many of John Ford's western movies. (Also note the new haircut and the outside of where I had it done..note the name).

More  photos of Penelope and Becky.

Group shot.

We went for a Jeep tour of the buttes with a guide in two vehicles throwing up lots of dust wherever we went.

A large pothole in the ceiling of this hollowed out cliff, great for acoustics whch our guide, John, demostrated with a locally made traditional drum.

After our tour we had a meal, then watched the sun go down. We were treated to some traditional songs, stories and dancing, including audience participation but it was too dark for photos. then we spent a night in some hogans, traditionally built wood and mud huts. Pictures of some taken earlier in the day.

In the morning we got up early to watch the sun rise but it was cloudy so there was not much to see and then abreakfast before we returned to Betsy and were again on the road to make our way to Page and Lake Powell.