We escaped early from Grand Canyon – before it got completely packed with people again.  Driving eastwards into the Navajo Nation was very special.  The landscape changed it’s character constantly, and around every turn there where something new to see.  A detour was made to the Navajo National Monument to see the old ruins, unfortunately we didn’t have the opportunity or time to hike down into them.

Monument Valley, being a part of the Navajo Nation is absolutely worth a stopover.  So we decided – for the first time on our journey – to stay an extra night.  That made us able to do a full day of guided tour into the Valley, and see areas (Mystic Valley) that not are open to the public without a local guide.  All guiding here are done by Navajo Indians, and our guide for the day, Rosy, did her best to make the day unforgettable.  Because of some snow falling last winter, and the “wet” spring (I guess by wet they mean they had a shower or maybe two), together with less hot temperatures than usual, the vegetation was green and lush.  Beautiful against the red rock-faces.  At the end of the day the wind got heavy, and I still find fine red dust at the most amazing places on my tripod.

Next day we got up early to enjoy the spectacular sunrise from Goldings Ranch before heading further northeast towards Moab.