John Wayne Still Lives

Well, he does here in Monument Valley anyway!  This stop hadn't been in our original plan but my sister-in-law, Lora, said one day "Well, you've GOT to go to Monument Valley.  That's where John Wayne shot all kinds of films".  Well, I'm not particularly fond of "The Duke" myself but I try to always listen to the sage advice of my "sister".  Sure as shootin'....she was right.  

We stayed at the Gouldings Campground...once owned by Harry and Mike Goulding (no, not a domestic partnership. Mike's name was Leone but Harry called her Mike because, as he used to say, it was easier to spell). Many years of trading sheep with the Navajo, living in tents, and just plain being adventuresome, Harry and Mike took their last $60 and went to Hollywood to convince the powers that be that they should come out to Monument Valley and film their movies. It was a win/win for everyone concerned. Harry and Mike ended up adding a Lodge and other amenities and now you have what is known to all around here simply as GOULDINGS.That's the abbreviated version of a really great (and long) history of the Gouldings.

We spent today on a  5 1/2 hour tour which included a cook-out lunch seeing the sights on the Navajo reservation. Pictographs and petroglyphs(thought of you, Nancy) and cliff dwelling ruins all up close and personal. It was a great day....our guide would sing us songs that his Grandfather taught him as we drove along.  It was about 900 below zero however (well, it felt like it anyway) and Bill and I were definitely under dressed even though the sun was shining brightly. But, still, a wonderful day.  After a nap we headed to the lodge for dinner.  I had a Navajo taco which is chili over Navajo flatbread and lettuce, cheese and tomato on top. YUM.

Tomorrow we head for Bluff, Utah. We'll do a day trip or 2 from there to Gooseneck State Park, Valley of the Gods and the town of Mexican Hat. By the weekend we should be up in Moab.....but we'll just see where we end up.

Thanks for the comments from those of you that post them.  They are always fun to read and make us feel like all of this writing nonsense is worth it.

And now, as the DUKE says...."It's time to saddle up"....

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Wishing you a wonderful 2011!

Bill and Jo Ann Wichmann