Canyon de Chelly National Monument…it’s a smaller version of the Grand Canyon.  Shear stone cliffs up to 700 feet tower over the narrow valley.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Rock structures from 2500 BC nomadic people hide here.  Ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings occupy many ledges and their petro glyphs dot the canyon walls.  Newer Navaho structures and their cliff art from the 1830s join the ancient work.  It is a bit like “Where’s Waldo” looking for all that hides among the stone.

The canyon is actually easier to appreciate than the Grand Canyon.  We can see the streams that over thousands of years have cut the canyon.  Green fields dot the valley floor and livestock wanders freely.  Cow moos echo wonderfully in this canyon. The bright Spring green of the cotton woods stands in stark contrast with the red rock.  It is big enough to be spectacular yet not overwhelming.

It is out of the way for most routine trips to the West for all the big parks but it is worth a bit of a side trip.

The Hubbell who opened the Trading Post in Arizona in 1876 is related to the Hubbell who the orbiting telescope is named for.  Just a little cultural distance!

Along 191 we stopped in at The Hubbell Trading Post.  It has been in business continuously for over 125 years.  They sell groceries and sundries for the local Navaho tribe.  Of course, they also sell Indian crafts.  I was most impressed by the beautiful, finely woven rugs.  Some day maybe one will adorn our cabin wall.  I would certainly never actually walk on one.

When they are all fluffed up and acting proud, turkey’s actually drum like grouse.

We returned to Petrified Forest National Park after 30 years.  We walked every trail and even spent a few hours on the valley floor of the Painted Desert Wilderness Area.  I suspect the rocks haven’t changed much but we experienced it a bit differently this time.  The geology is very cool.  Petrified wood is amazing.  Petro glyphs make one really wonder about those civilizations who long ago called this place home.  We even saw some wildlife: lizards, a snake, prairie dogs, a pronghorn antelope and a nice assortment of birds.  All in all, definitely a place to check out.  At least every 30 years of so.

The rig is sporting a new look!  The big trailer and boat spending the summer in Arizona.  We are moving a little leaner for the summer trip to Alaska, where the odds of utilizing the boat were really not very high. 

Phoenix has a bit of a food truck scene.  About 10 trucks gathered at the central market.  We had to check it out.  Burgers and dogs were represented along with lots of more adventuresome ethnic foods. The pulled pork with jerk sauce was great and the jalapeño mac and cheese even better.  Kent’s Inca chicken with Aji sauce was the most amazing.  The pie truck had key lime, had to try it.  The fry bread was irresistible too.  They had some healthy choices but we skipped those!  Yummy and fun.

No, it wasn’t shopping that took us to the mall.  It was a sidewalk chalk art festival.  There was some beautiful work.  My favorite was of local wildlife: coyote, cactus wren, a desert cottontail, and a quail.  The Phoenix was pretty cool too.

Garbanzo, a Mediterranean food place, beckoned us in for dinner.  Kent tried a classic gyro and I tried falafel on a pita with all its sauces and stuff.  Not sure how authentic it was but it was tasty.  If the chain is around you, try it.