Rode out to Monument Valley after breakfast. There is nothing like getting up close and personal with rocks that you have admired in every John Wayne movie. Every step you take presents a different view. We walked around for about an hour talking to people from France and Germany and Missouri. We decided not to take a tour because the views were so much prettier from above than at the base of the valley.
On our way back we spotted a group of wild horses drinking from a puddle on the side of the road. We also stopped at a roadside stand where navajo were selling jewelry and other trinkets. I broke the ice and bought a cuff bracelet made of turquoise and silver.
We got back to Goulding's and went into John wayne's cabin (it was Mrs. Goulding's potato cellar that was used in movies). We also visited the museum where there were artifacts from movies that were shot in Monument Valley. We couldn't believe how many movies were filmed there. Recent movies include Thelma and Louise and Back to the Future III. The museum was showing one of John Wayne's movies and I almost lost Nick there. I couldn't get him away. Hey, he hasn't watched any TV in days! We also read about the Gouldings and their amazing story. They arrived in Monument Valley in the 1920's looking for a new business opportunity. The Palute Indian Reservation had relocated and areas of land were for sale. They bought a substantial plot of land and opened up a trading post. The Gouldings conducted business with the local Navajo who traded rugs and jewelry for food and other goods. In the 1930's, the Navajo reservation suffered greatly because of the Depression. Mr. Goulding heard of scouts looking for new movie locations in the southwest so the Gouldings used their last $60 to travel to Hollywood. Harry met director John Ford. Ford saw pictures of Monument Valley, paid the Gouldings an advance, and in a few days, began filming the movie Stagecoach.
Today there is a lodge, RV park, grocery store, trading post, museum, gas station, and gift shop on the property.
Lunch was in the motorhome and we sat in a spot with an amazing view of the valley.
When we returned to RV park we relaxed and hung out. Dinner was a barbecued London broil with ice cream for dessert. We met folk from Hawaii. They had a beautiful motor coach that he picked up on Craig's list for $20,000! These things go for a lot more!
We also had our first encounter with the Utah fly......they're just as ruthless as the NJ fly but not as big.
Sign of the day: caution: Desert wildlife inhabit this area!
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