Rock Art Ranch

A few weeks ago, I made a reservation for a tour of Rock Art Ranch.  Yesterday was our day for the tour.  We arrived a few minutes early and met the rancher, Brantley Baird.  His family bought the ranch in 1945 and he has lived there since.  Encompassing 5,000 acres between Winslow and Holbrook, Rock Art Ranch is a cattle ranch and home to one of the best preserved 

and most extensive collections of ancient petroglyphs in the world. 

After touring Rock Art Ranch museum, we started driving across the ranch, first seeing 

the ranch buffalo, then stopping to see a centuries old Navajo hogan and a Hopi dwelling.  

Our next stop was near a creekbed, to view a map petroglyph, etched in a large slab rock.  

The map shows where to find the source of water in Chevelon Creek.

By noon we arrived at Chevelon Canyon.  Baird's family built a shelter at the top of the Canyon with a steep natural stone staircase down into the Canyon.  We had a picnic of peanut butter and honey sandwiches before hiking down the stairs.  The petroglyphs line the canyon walls for over a mile.  They are everywhere and they are exquisite! 

Morning in Monument Valley

We were hiking on Wildcat Trail, around the West Mitten, by 6:30 this morning, under heavy skies and spitting snow... on April 17!  Within an hour, the clouds lifted a bit.  We had breakfast and 

then drove the 17 mile drive through Monument Valley.  It is a stunning landscape!

Grand Canyon to Monument Valley

We woke up on the rim of the Grand Canyon this morning.  We soaked up the colors of morning, as we drove along the rim, stopping at almost every viewpoint along the 25 mile East Rim Drive. 

As we drove east, away from the Grand Canyon and onto the Navajo Reservation, 

we stopped to hike at an overlook of a gorge of the Little Colorado River. 

We had lunch in Tuba City and then stopped at Navajo National Monument, as the sky was a mix of sun, clouds, and snow flurries.  We hiked the Sandal Trail to an overlook across the canyon into Betatakin Ruin, a 125 room cliff dwelling.  We were glad we brought binoculars.

At Kayenta, we turned north toward Monument Valley.  We are staying at the View Hotel, with a view of the Mittens from our balcony.  Oh what a sight!  The weather continued with a mix of sun, clouds, and light precipitation until dark.  We're anxious to see what tomorrow morning brings.

Grand Canyon Rim Trail

We arrived at the Grand Canyon around 4 this afternoon, dropped our bags at the hotel, and were hiking the Rim Trail by 4:30.   We hiked about three miles, until the sun was setting and the temperature dropped to the 20's.  It was one of the most beautiful hikes we've ever done.