Navajo Country

Canyon de Chelly

March 20-21

Our next destination was Navajo Country.  We drove over snowy passes into Arizona, and after a long drive arrived in Chinle, Az, site of Canyon de Chelly (pronounced “de Shay”).

Here there are about 9 overlooks where you can peer far down into the canyon below. 

At every overlook there are Anasazi Ruins perched under an overhang of the canyon walls.

                            

It’s a bit early in spring, but you can imagine the lushness of the canyon after the rocky highlands of the rim.

Many Navajo families have summer homes below, where they plant corn, raise sheep and grow fruit trees. 

Most families have a traditional Hogan, either as a separate cabin, attached to their regular house, or separately for ceremonial use.

We took the White House trail into the canyon to see the White House ruins.

The trail was cut into the canyon, including this tunnel:

We crossed the bridge at the canyon bottom

to reach the white house ruins.

As with every stop in the park, there were stalls set up where Navajo artisans were selling their jewellery and rock art.  You feel bad because it seems to be their main source of income, but you can’t buy from everyone.  In the end Leo purchased a picture of  a hummingbird.

Then we had to climb back up in the hot afternoon sun.