Drive on US 163 heading north through Monument Valley and it feels like you are in a Western. It is difficult to appreciate the space and colossal rock formations from a picture. Notice the house next to the bluff?
After driving through Monument Valley, Route 163 will take you to Mexican Hat. It is an unassuming village next to the San Juan River. When you leave town three minutes later, turn left and drive ten miles. Careful going up the switchbacks. On top of the bluff, panoramic views await and free camping. Find a level spot and pitch your tent.
The stars under the campfire were innumerable and the night a perfect temperature for sleeping. At four, the red sunrise flirted; I tried to capture the transition from night to morning.
This mini Grand Canyon sinks 1000 feet to the San Juan River. This was one of the best camping nights I’ve ever had. Which shot do you prefer?
Cindy Bruchman 
No favourite this time, Cindy, as I love them all. Camping in John Ford country, unchanged over the decades, just amazing! That isolated house below the bluff is simply crazy. Talk about no neighbours!
A great trip, and it has made me truly envious. Thanks for taking me on your journey.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
Ah, Pete. I’m glad you come along! The more the merrier. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh wow. Such incredible shots Cindy, thank you for sharing! These really bring back some memories. When my family had just moved to the States in the ’90s, we moved to Texas. My dad took us frequently out on excursions across the panhandle and occasionally we’d explore further and into Arizona and New Mexico. I remember (just barely) navigating up those dangerous switchback roads, and having to stop and pull over to allow another car to pass going the other direction since the road was so narrow and exposed. These stunning images have brought back the feelings I had when I first saw Monument Valley. What a unique place. What a great post.
LikeLike
Hi Tom! Thanks so much for sharing! I’ve only been here for 3.5 years and I’ve explored AZ and we wanted to try Utah and Colorado. They haven’t disappointed. It’s not easy to look at a desert setting and seeing the beauty compared to, say, the mountains or the ocean. I was surprised how beautiful camping on the top of a bluff was. The stars! Wow! It was a great experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous location and photography. I still very much appreciate indoor plumbing, though. 😉
LikeLike
We froze in CO at night. Heavy frost. Despite the heavy sleeping bags and stocking caps, we were affected. Stiff and sore. I told Jim next time, a lodge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Omg Cindy, I loved each and every one, your right I can’t imagine, it has to be so surreal
If I have to pick one .. I guess I’d pick. Sunrise over the gods!!!
Amazing shots cindy
LikeLike
Hi! Thank you very much. The space between the ledge and the valley was enormous and dreamy. I’m glad you got a sense of the magic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh did I ever 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the coffee shot.
LikeLike
Me too! What a relaxing way to wake up and greet the day.
LikeLike
I like the coffee mug – it gives context and puts you into the picture. Love the new blog layout too.
LikeLike
Why thanks! A pot of coffee while listening to the birds and the rustle of a breeze through the bushes. Very inspirational.
LikeLike
I can remember flying over there many times and wondering how anything or any person could earn a living there. The view coming into the airport was stark and bare too. But the desert does have its beauty when you are present in its solitude doesn’t it? Just don’t get lost!
LikeLike
It’s scary and thrilling. I think it takes patience and skill to calm yourself and feel the space and quiet and allow it to come to you and seep into you. We are so used to noise and congestion. It’s a primal and ancient environment and humbling. Certainly meant to be shared. And with adventures like these, it helps when you read novels and watch films. You understand more in a meaningful way like understanding a poem you once glossed over but it didn’t touch you. That’s the power of nature.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I prefer the very first one, with the tiny houses facing up to the unbelievable size of the natural rock formations.
LikeLike
Thank you, John. If not for them, you would never know how big that bluff sits under that expansive sky.
LikeLike
Sunrise at 4 🙂
LikeLike
Great! I’m trying to figure out how to take night shots with not much success. I couldn’t believe how large Jupiter and Venus were shining at me and that red rising up from the horizon was spectacular.
LikeLike
Keep going 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is the worst group of photos from which to pick a favorite.
Vast, barren, and alluring – I love them all! 😀
LikeLike
🙂 I was initially not in the mood to camp there precisely because of the barrenness of the region. Who wants to look at a bunch of rocks? I was in a hurry to get to CO imagining Aspens and water and greenery. This side trip was worth it. I love the feeling of being up high looking out like a bird on a ledge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
sunrise over the valley of the gods..now that’s a horizon!
LikeLike
🙂 I can see John Ford setting up his camera equipment there now.
LikeLike
Wish I was there! Sublime shots Cindy. Perfect setting a dust-filled western. That desert sea monster must be oor Nessie on holiday. 😉
LikeLike
🙂 Thanks, my friend for your vote. Nessie gets around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That coffee shot…dear me! Absolutely love these. Reminds me of a fantastic family trip I had years ago. I went out west with my parents, brother, and now deceased grandparents and we had a marvelous time. Albuquerque up to Durango over to Four Corners down to Flagstaff and to the Grand Canyon. And still we missed so much!
Gorgeous shots Cindy.
LikeLike
Keith, that’s quite a trip! Family trips like those are priceless although you usually don’t appreciate them when you are doing it. Only after. Thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve traveled a bit through here and these beautiful images bring me back. Breathtaking.
LikeLike
Hello, David 🙂 I’m glad you liked them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I miss those vistas. Beautiful country.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The coffee one is so cute!
LikeLike
It really felt wonderful to sip campfire coffee while the world felt at our feet. Thanks, Abbi.
LikeLike
I love it. There are huge expanses of Australia that you’d enjoy as well. I have somehow missed notifications. My blogs have been through the wringer lately.
LikeLike
Well, I’m always happy to have you stop by, later than sooner. 🙂 I have been to Australia only once, but from other bloggers who have posted pictures, and from what little I’ve seen of the continent, I agree, there are many similarities of the Outback and the Eastern part of Australia that resemble parts of the states. I’m sure I would love exploring Australia. Damn the fuel charges that make it almost impossible for me to travel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Being a western movie fan, my visit to Monument Valley has always been a travel highlight for me.
LikeLike
Welcome, Andrew. We shot on through the main road. If we had had the time, turning right would have taken to many more landmarks some, I’m sure, featured in old Westerns. I love ‘The Searchers’ and kept looking for that one. Thank you for commenting.
LikeLike
My favourite western movie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks gorgeous, Cindy! What a beautiful earth we share.
LikeLike
Thank you and welcome. It soft and gentle, loud and demanding, impartial and giving.
LikeLike
All the shots are great, but I like the third one best. Talk about iconic. I almost expect to see John Ford somewhere in the background pointing a movie camera at some cowboys.
LikeLike
I know, I know. I felt his ghost floating around the breeze. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sunrise shot is my fave, but tough choice as ALL of them are great! Valley of the Gods… well that’s an appropriate name 😉
LikeLike
Hi Ruth, thanks my friend. It was a special evening and morning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Cindy:
All superlative shots!
You have some prime cinematic real estate to hike and play around in. And this from a guy who’s learned that “The Great Outdoors is where you park the car!”
Nice to see others appreciate that the day has two “Magic Hours” before sunrise and through sunset. You capture them extremely well as shadows dispel and slowly become solid.
Your Monument Valley shots are epic!
LikeLike
Hi there, Kevin! So glad you popped by. Thank you for the kind words. It’s a fun hobby. I’m still working on the night shots. Can’t seem to manipulate my camera the way I need. What I’m shooting at helps! Hard to take a poor shot with such stellar views. Thanks, my friend.
LikeLike
I like the desert sea monster the best 😀 Seeing these photos is giving mem some motivation to get out there to take some snaps myself
LikeLike
Hi Jordan, thanks! It was surreal. Get out there! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
hehe thanks for the words of encouragement! I think I might do some wondering today… though I don’t think I could ever match those views. Surreal is a great way to put it, they look breath-taking
LikeLike
Why not try people? I always do landscapes but I have seen some great photographers capture the essence of faces and limbs, etc., and they’re beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm I actually never thought about that. I remember doing it in high school where we had access to all this cool lighting equipment, but haven’t tried it since. Hmmm thanks for the idea Cindy! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looked and sounded like a fantastic camping experience, Cindy. I can also understand your hesitation about staying there. I may not have realized how this would turn out had I not seen these awesome photographs. I am so glad you had caffeine up there. I have found my need for this in the morning increases, as I approach 60 later this month. Fortunately, my Mom still drinks 3 to 4 cups at 87 with little health problems due to caffeine intake 🙂
The sunrise over the Valley of the Gods” was stunning!
LikeLike
Thanks very much! it was a memorable time. I love coffee and drink it in the morning and have several cups. But that’s it. No wonder I’m sleepy and lethargic by 2pm. !
LikeLike
Some incredible scenery here Cindy. Especially love High Sun Switchbacks
LikeLike
Tim! So nice to see you stop by! Thanks, it was a fun trip. I would love your input on the 13th when we talk about the femme fatale. Please come visit!
LikeLike
For sure, will do my best to drop in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are breathtakingly beautiful Cindy.
LikeLike
Hiya, Vinnieh! Thanks very much. It was a splendid time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love those pictures! I am going to be running a 5k race in all 50 states. I’ll definitely have to check out that Monument Valley when I’m out there.
LikeLike
Ouch! I ache for you. That’s quite a goal. Good luck and I commend you 🙂
LikeLike