2022 Utah

Moab / Arches National Park / Canyonlands National Park / Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

08.06.2022 Off Roading // Moab, Utah
Nothing wakes you up like off roading in one of these early in the morning like two little pebbles being tossed around in an empty can. Being a passenger was anxiety-ridden than being the driver, which I found more at ease. These machines are made to crawl over anything and could take a beating. Nice way to begin the day before sleepily meandering the surrounding national parks.

08.06.2022 Delicate Arch // Arches National Park
We only had limited time in Moab so we went straight to the most iconic structure in Moab. After hiking about 1.5 miles, we reached our destination filled with people and gusty wind. I felt rushed and snapped a few photos before returning back to our car.

08.06.2022 Mesa Arch // Canyonlands N.P.
Beautiful spot with an usual vantage point overlooking Buck Canyon. You can see another arch to the left of the frame called the Washer Woman Arch and the mountains on the horizon are the La Sal Moutains. The Mesa Arch sits on the edge of a 500-foot cliff. Buck Canyon is below with the Moon high on the right.

08.06.2022 Orange Cliff Overlook // Island in the Sky // Canyonlands N.P.
A beautiful spot to catch the sunset overlooking the vast basin below from a flat mesa of Island in the Sky. Gorgeous memory to end a very busy day.

08.07.2022 More Arches // Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Utah
Our mellow guide from Navajo Spirit Tours, Big Hogan Arch, petroglyph, Eye of the Dove Arch, and Ear of the Wind Arch. These areas are restricted and can only be accessible with a spiritual guide from the Navajo Nation. The Big Hogan is a natural cave amphitheater where our guide played his flute - beautiful, serene, haunting and tucking at your soul. I learned that the Navajo culture is matriarchal and lineage is traced through the mother’s side. The majority of the properties were owned by the women in the family. Traditionally, the grandparents attend and raise the grandchildren while the parents are away earning a living. It reminded of my time with my own grandmother while my parents were away. These arches are formed when rain puddle softens the sandstone and weathers away naturally making a depression over time and finally cuts through like a sink hole. The tree below faces the Ear of the Wind Arch - beautiful and forlorn.

08.07.2022 Buttes // Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Utah
Stagecoach, West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte, Merrick Mutte, and Spearhead Mesa. Beautiful, bright, sunny day with white, white clouds still in the sky with pink and purple hue of the ‎Oljato–Monument Valley.

The Navajo Nation is the largest reservation in the United States, spanning over Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah with over 17.5 million acres.

In a forced removal, the U.S. Army drives the Navajo at gunpoint as they walk from their homeland in Arizona and New Mexico, to Fort Sumner, 300 miles away at Bosque Redondo. Hundreds die during 18 days of marching. About 9,000 Navajos reach the fort, where 400 Mescalero Apaches are already held. The tribes have a history of dispute; many arguments ensue. Food and water run short because there are twice as many people imprisoned as planned.

ARTICLE II.

The United States agrees that the following district of country, to wit: bounded on the north by the 37th degree of north latitude, south by an east and west line passing through the site of old Fort Defiance, in Canon Bonito, east by the parallel of longitude which, if prolonged south, would pass through old Fort Lyon, or the Ojo-de-oso, Bear Spring, and west by a parallel of longitude about 109' 30' west of Greenwicb, provided it embraces the outlet of the Canon-de-Chilly, which canon is to be all included in this reservation, shall be, and the same is hereby, set apart for the use and occupation of the Navajo tribe of Indians, and for such other friendly tribes or individual Indians as from time to time they may be willing, with the consent of the United States, to admit among them; and the United States agrees that no persons except those herein so authorized to do, and except such officers, soldiers, agents, and employes of the government, or of the Indians, as may be authorized to enter upon Indian reservations in discharge of duties imposed by law, or the orders of the President, shall ever be permitted to pass over, settle upon, or reside in, the territory described in this article.