Scenic Pics of Navajo Tribal Park, Monument Valley, Utah

**Riverkilt** · 30th October 13, 10:34 PM

If you're not from around here you should know that when you see those old western movies filmed here there are no saguaro cactus around here - gotta go a couple hundred miles south for those....didn't stop the prop guys from sticking really cheezing looking phony cactus around Monument Valley for their films.

**Hawk** · 30th October 13, 11:23 PM

Very nice photos Ron. Well done for a "well day".

Hawk

**Liam** · 31st October 13, 07:29 AM

I never tire of seeing your pictures of the desert, Ron. Must get there some day.

**Highlander31** · 31st October 13, 07:59 PM

I always laugh when I hear people say the desert is nothing but a wasteland. Thanks for posting these photos, Ron.
Just one question, where's the stagecoach? It's late for its entrance.

**Riverkilt** · 31st October 13, 08:04 PM

Well, Stagecoach Rock is a couple miles north of where these pics were taken. A movie stagecoach would probably rumble down the road in the first and third pic. If Navajos were less taciturn they'd charge for stagecoach rides in the park....set up a concession to provide them.

I suppose they get jaded by the bazillions of tourists. In the men's room stall they put in TWO double roll TP holders - one on each wall of the stall. TP goes fast when a busload of tourists arrive. There is a sign over the drinking fountain telling people not to bathe in the drinking fountain....so I guess some folks do. Navajos are very courteous and the ways of some Europeans of cutting in line and interrupting don't go over well. Tourists become something to be endured for the money rather than something to be catered to.

**Highlander31** · 31st October 13, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Well, Stagecoach Rock is a couple miles north of where these pics were taken. A movie stagecoach would probably rumble down the road in the first and third pic. If Navajos were less taciturn they'd charge for stagecoach rides in the park....set up a concession to provide them.

I suppose they get jaded by the bazillions of tourists. In the men's room stall they put in TWO double roll TP holders - one on each wall of the stall. TP goes fast when a busload of tourists arrive. There is a sign over the drinking fountain telling people not to bathe in the drinking fountain....so I guess some folks do. Navajos are very courteous and the ways of some Europeans of cutting in line and interrupting don't go over well. Tourists become something to be endured for the money rather than something to be catered to.

Sounds more like they are janitors taking care of a high school locker room, than the caretakers of a beautiful desert area.

**Riverkilt** · 31st October 13, 10:14 PM

You're right, at the visitor's center...its usually wall to wall people with lines to the rest rooms and restaurant. The park only has a paved road to the visitor's center and a very rough 17 mile dirt road circuit through the park for personal vehicles. Beyond that limit you need to hire a Navajo guide to see more, which does help to keep the high desert area well kept. People also live in the park, have their homes there for generations. They help the Park Rangers if needed.

**Highlander31** · 31st October 13, 10:43 PM

Do they allow people stay overnight in the park?

**tundramanq** · 1st November 13, 05:24 AM

Great pictures Ron! Just a keep' n me homesick

**Riverkilt** · 1st November 13, 08:30 AM

Yes they do Highlander31....IF...you're in a motel...the View or Goulding's Lodge. Think there may be a campground over at Gouldings too.

And know what you mean Tundraman...used to stay up late back east trying to find B westerns on tv just to look at the scenery where the movie was filmed....