Desert View, Tuba City, Navajo National Monument and Monument Valley

We weren't quite ready to leave the Grand Canyon so headed east staying a night in Desert View and got some domestic chores done. John had fun washing all the red Supai dirt out of our hiking boots and I got the washing dry between two Juniper trees.



Watchtower at Desert View

From here the view of the Canyon opens out and we could just make out the view of our 5 hour drive around to the north side. 

Next morning we were ready to move on to our next adventure. A company offered hot air balloon flights over Monument Valley, so that's where we were headed. Along the way we stopped at a wifi Cafe in Tuba City...the coffee was great and the Internet was fast....we couldn't ask for more.

That night we camped at the Navajo National Monument. To our surprise we got a view of the ancient Betatakin Cliff Dwellings, Saturdays they give a guided tour down to the site...but alas it was only Monday.



Betatakin Cliff Dwellings

Next morning Dude's monitor panel wasn't working....we needed a 3amp fuse. Back on the road a billboard came into view and had just what we were looking for, an auto parts shop in Kayenta. Soon Mesa's and Spires starting popping up and we knew Monument Valley wasn't far away.

We settled into Gouldings Campground and shorty after we arrived a rainstorm passed over kicking up red dust everywhere. An hour later we went in search of our first arch located in the rock formations behind the campground an you wouldn't have known it rained.

We contacted the hot air ballon company about booking a ballon flight over Monument Valley. Unfortunately for us, the desert wind wasn't going to let up until possibly next Tuesday...it was only Monday.

We did get an open air experience viewing the mesa's in a jeep tour and the desert wind just didn't let up....!!