The road to monument valley

Posted 10 December, 2007 by Graham in usa

The road to monument valley, originally uploaded by GrahamKing.

On the Utah / Arizona border, in the distance is the iconic Monument Valley. It’s appeared in many Westerns, Marlboro adverts, 2001, and other some such. Follow the link for the Wikipedia page with photos - you’ll recognize it straight away.
I found it a little underwhelming in person, although still photogenic. It’s large red rocks in a large plain of desert and scrub. So is most of the Southwestern United States.
The whole area is in a Navajo Reservation, which didn’t seem to make any difference to us driving through, buying gas and snacks, taking photos, and, euh, leaving. You don’t enter into the subtleties of tribal administration when you have to get to Colorado by nightfall.

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Slot canyons of the Escalante

Posted 7 December, 2007 by Graham in usa

Slot canyons of the Escalante, originally uploaded by GrahamKing.

In Southern Utah we went almost 30 miles down a dirt road in Grand Staircase National Monument, to find these amazing slot canyons. We luckily had some great information (thanks Scott!), as they are hard to find.
You walk / clamber up one canyon, get out the top into the desert, and come back down a different one. They get narrower than in the picture, and often we could only just squeeze past sideways. One of the most amazing experiences of the trip!

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Springdale’s Beer and Gear benefit

Posted 5 December, 2007 by Graham in usa

Springdale’s Beer and Gear benefit event, originally uploaded by GrahamKing.

Internet access in Africa was sporadic, and in India every street corner has an Internet cafe. In America everywhere had WiFi, but you are expected to bring your own laptop. A few coffee shops had a computer we could use, but by far the best choice are the public libraries. On a visit to Springdale, the nearest public library to Zion National Park, we learn about their upcoming Beer and Gear Festival.
The library was trying to raise money to get some solar panels and an exhibit to teach people about solar power. The festival was several bands, a local brewery tent, a bit of food, free massages from massage school, and a hiking equipment auction.
The beer was very good (4%, the legal limit in Utah), the music not bad, the massages great, and the atmosphere wonderful. Go Utah!

Later, at the Beer and Gear benefit.

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