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Show I Feature tltonymeiniii: Valley: By Barbara Pyles Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park lies deep in the heart of the American Southwest and entirely within the Navajo In- these guided tours are Anasazi mins, petroglyphs, movie locations, rug weaving and an Indian Hogan, depending on the length of the tour. Many tours go into scenic Mystery Valley where youll see evidence of cultures longgone. Acook-ou- t lunch is provided with the y outTours be from can arranged ings. the Visitor Center or the historic Gouldings Trading Post, located about six miles from the visitor center. However you choose to see Monument Valley, the awesome red sandstone buttes and red mesas, surrounded by sandy desert, will catch your attention. They bear such names as The Three Sisters, The Left Mitten, and Rooster Rock. Almost everyone will recognize the Right Mitten, site of some sensational automobile commercials on top. Two popular Monument Valley buttes are Merrick" andMitchell "named after two prospectors who were killed by Ute Indians while attempting to mine silver in the sacred area. The popular To dian Reservation. Located on the border of southeastern Utah and northern Arizona, it can be reached via scenic US 163 from Kayenta, Arizona, Gouldings Lodge and Mexican Hat, Utah. Its near the Four Comers where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah meet, and only 342 miles from Kanab. It is well worth the drive. Its said that Monument Valley is one of the most dramatically beautiful places in the world. Those two words do not even begin to describe the area. The landscape is overwhelming, extraordinary. . .. There is no other place like it on the earth, anywhere. On a first visit the isolated red mesas, enormous carved buttes, and fragile stone spires of Monument Valley may seem familiar. Youre not losing it. These unique masterpieces of nature, that soar to heights of 400 to 1,200 feet. T' i. -- all-da- ; SOUTHERN ITTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY MARCH 19, 1997 m aweam land gion about the 13th Century, leaving behind many cliff dwellings. The Navajos have been walking in beauty ever since they entered the Monument Valley region some 500 years ago. The N avajo people enjoy life and once befriended they are intensely honest and loyal. In about 1923, Harry Goulding and his wife Mike came to Monument Valley to homestead, and establish a trading post. The original ranch house and trading post have been restored and preserved as a museum. The trading post is still operating today. In 1938, Goulding introduced Monument Valley to John Ford and Hollywood. The Valley became the settingfor such motion pictures as: Stagecoach, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Fort A beautiful view of Monument Valley. Photo by Barbara Pyles. Apache, The Searchers, How the under 8 free. Phone (801) 727- - write or phone Monument West Was Won, Billy the Kid, Camping is permitted only ley Navajo Tribal Park, P .0. Box Back to The Future III, and at established campgrounds. 360289, Monument Valley, UT (801)727-335- 3 84536. or 3287. For additional information Thelma and Louise. Today Monument Valley is still used for backdrops in movies and comVal-335- 3. mercials. Over the years, Gouldings Trading Post grew to its present size. Each of the 62 large up- rooms offers: private balconies with panoramic views, color TV and VCR, Cable TV, coffee maker, and bathing amenities. Gouldings Lodge is open all year. Reservations are recommended especially during the summer months. On the top of a red rock ledge is The Stagecoach Dining Room, and every table has a view. The restaurant offers both Navajo and American cuisine, served by friendly Native Americans. There is also a laundromat, car wash, grocery store, medical clinic and an airport. Take a dip One of the many hogans seen around Monument Valley. Photo by in the heated pool open from Barbara Pyles. April to November. The Earth show has Spirit multi-medi- a several performances nightly. Located a short distance away is the Gouldings Campground, open from March 15 to October 31. Full RV hook-up- s, tent sites, heated, indoor pool, hot showers, grocery store, laundromat and playground makes it a great place to camp. Shuttle vans will take you to Gouldings to see the museum, shop or dine. For motel reservations or into-da-te ? T f o . 3 9 ?r it v ' 'I'. - .4 T tJL.. Y ' ' I OurMonumentVaBeytourguideLarryisalsoourcoek.PhotobyBarbaraPyles. have been filmed and photographed many times for movies, television commercials, and vacation brochures. Even an amateur could stop and shoot in any direction and get a remarkable picture. Traveling into the park by private vehicle is confined to a section of uneven dirt roads called the tourist loop. Hie loop drive is open only during daylight hours. Although thousands of people see a spectacular view from the Visitor Center, others take the tour into the park. But the best way to. enjoy this beautiful land is to take an open-a- ir These tours are conducted by licensed Navajo guides. Some of the things youll see on self-guid- ed well-inform- ed tem Pole," a spire of rock 300 feet high and a few meters wide, seems to defy gravity. There are also many weather-carve- d arches with such names as Moccasin Arch," Ear of the Wind," and The Suns Eye." When visi ting Monument Valley, remember youre on Navajo land Respect the privacy and customs of the Navajo people living in the Valley. Enter homes only when invited and take close up photographs of Navajo residents only with their permission. Some areas of Monument and Mystery Valleys are sacred to the Navajo people, so always act in a correct manner. formation write Gouldings Lodge, P.O. Box 360001, Monument Valley, Utah 84536. Or call Overnight accommodations and additional services are also available in Kayenta, and Mexican Hat. The park and visitor center The Anasazi, or "Ancient are open from 7 a.m.-- 7 p.rx.May-Sep- ; 8 a jn.-- 5 p jn. the rest of the Ones" were the first known inMonument of habitants Valley. year. Closed Dec. 25 and Jan 1. from the re Admission $2.50; over 60, $1; Urey disappeared Lawn Care by Roger Williams Fertilizing & Mowing Call 644-223-3 or 689-038-6 also do Organic Fertilizing t |