The Sacred and Serene: Canyon de Chelly National Monument

As I mentioned in the introductory post Canyon de Chelly is the sacred landmark that makes this area stand out in a land filled with wonders. There are numerous opportunities for one to admire and explore. Yet, you can also feel the history in the air, and gaining the perspective of what happened here makes it all the more worthwhile. Just to give you an idea of the extent to which this land is remarkable to historians and tourists alike, I include this link to a map of the general "Four Corners" and surrounding area. (Notice, there are many "places of note" not listed within the Navajo Nation because this is a U.S. government map)

We have had a few lucky opportunities to hike into some of the canyons that are contained within the larger Canyon de Chelly area. The map below will help you get an idea of what this canyon "system" looks like from above.

These canyons are a labyrinth of sheer cliffs and coiling turns carved into the red sandstone by the steady trickle of water flowing downhill from the mountain ranges to the North and East. I can testify to the extra-sensory experience that a trip into these canyons can be. Not only can you see the markings left by both man and nature, but you can almost hear those who left them laugh and cry. The canyon floor is composed of the blood and dust of early humans who lived and died within the walls, and it seems one can smell and even taste this history.

Below are images that we have collected in our hikes and adventures over our few months here:

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

The view from one of the many overlooks along the south rim of Canyon de Chelly

From the Rim: Start of the trail down to White House Ruin

From the Rim: On a Cloudy Day

 Strange "flowing" sandstone along the walls of Canyon de Chelly

A Shadowy Canyon

  

The Walls Up Close: Layer upon Layer

Canyon Walls Catch Rays

Walls Towering Above

The Canyon From an Overlook

Canyon Overlook at Sunset

Slim Canyon

We had the wonderful opportunity to take a hike into a private canyon whose owner was the patient of a doctor at the hospital here in Chinle. 

A hike on a late summer evening with friends and neighbors was just what we needed in the middle of the work week. We began by descending a narrow trail down to the canyon's floor and proceeded to hike eastward "upstream" stopping to see ancient ruins as well as messages left by people throughout many centuries in the forms of petroglyphs and pictographs.

The Canyon's Prickly Floor

Streaked Walls

Steps in the Wall

Faint Markings

More Messages...

If these walls could talk...

Approaching a Cliff Dwelling pt. 1

 Cliff Dwelling pt. 2

The Anasazi carved hand and toe-holds into the sandstone, our guides show us how they used them.

and some followed their lead...

Slim Canyon Ruins

Canyon del Muerto

Antelope House Ruins & Navajo Fortress

Navajo Fortress at the confluence of Canyon del Muerto and Black Rock Canyon

Navajo Fortress

 

Canyon del Muerto (upstream)

Reflective Pool

Grazing Grounds Below

The Overlook

Sliced

Geological Fiction

B&W Carved Stairs

B&W Pools pt. 1

B&W Pools pt. 2

Our Own "Out Back"

There is an abundance of truly amazing geology located throughout the state of Arizona, and in the Southwest in general. We are lucky to have some of this in our own "backyard"  so to say. At the base of Black Mesa located behind where we live is a section of sandstone best described as "slickrock" that gives one the feeling that they are in another world. It lies in wave-like shapes that unexpectedly curve and undulate, time and weather each having tattooed the rock over eons. This makes for incredible mountain biking, hiking, and photographs but also bears a reputation as being uninviting to us "billigana" (white non-natives). This is private land, and permission to use this area for recreation is an unspoken understanding of sorts. 

The capital of the Navajo Nation in which we live, is Window Rock, AZ. Located directly on the New Mexico/Arizona border and about 65 miles from where we live. This is a town so-named for the impressive Window Rock landmark considered sacred by the Navajo people, and a natural wonder of the world by those who go there. 

(click here for more info)

There is a similar small "window rock" that we have access to behind our "compound", not nearly as massive but still a special place. We went there early one morning with a few friends for the sunrise, and here are a few photos. From left to right Jillian, Natasha, Sarah & Ellen

"The Wave" engulfs Jillian as we approach

The first rays of light through 

"Little Window Rock"

"Little Window Rock"

"Shadows on the Sun"

  

 "Lit Sandstone"

After this excursion we swore that we would spend more mornings soaking up the sights and the sun in our beautiful "backyard"

Introduction To Our Blog: A View From The Mesa

Hello! To set the backdrop for this blogging of our lives I suppose introductions are in order; our names are Jillian and Evan and we are Michiganders (Midland/Traverse City, respectively) who currently live in Chinle, Arizona. This small reservation town is  located in NE Arizona and is surrounded by canyons, mesas, buttes and plateaus striated with every color imaginable. It is a land that lays open to inspection, displaying the earth's history as it has been both constructed and carved since its birth. 

Chinle itself is a small, rural town located at the mouth of a spectacular canyon. In fact, this whole area is highlighted by the majestic and mysterious Canyon de Chelly, which houses ancient cliff dwellings (Anasazi), family farms, orchards and epic cliff walls. This is a glittering landscape that provides daily reminders of how sacred this planet truly is, and is the sacred home of people who know how to appreciate and worship it as such.

The main goal of our blog is that we will be able to more easily share our experiences with our friends and family. It is difficult for us to live life "merrily down the stream", so far away from the people that we have known and loved for so many years. With luck (and if we can find the gumption) this blog will document our own adventures and travels, as well as the major chapters and events in the lives of those we love, and of course the things in life that makes us LAUGH  and CRY and THINK the most.

Truth be told, there is no plan for what this will be so please bare with us as we plod along through the blogosphere for the first time.