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| no partners | | Day 6 of my Trip...
I have seen the Edges of this Incredible Area a few times, but was always on my Way to Somewhere Else and either didn't have the Time, or the Opportunity to Stop...This Day was going to be different...I was finally going to really see this Place... 
The Day before, I spent all day in Canyon De Chelly and elected to not spend the Night there, so I continued to drive on up, after inquiring about Camping Options in Chinle...Too bad, the Worker at the Service Station kinda misquoted the Price of where he sent me, but by the time I got there, it didn't matter, it was almost Midnight Navajo Time and I was way done...They had a Honor System going that Late at Gouldings, so I found one Spot left on a Wednesday Night right next to the Bathroom...That Campground was very large and also packed to the Gills...  Unlike the White Mountains, I'll bet the Low Temp on this Night was about 80 and I had trouble sleeping, it was pretty warm...  I got up and paid the next morning and almost had a Heart Attack at the 28.00 Fee for a Tent Site...But, in their defense I guess, you can take a Free Shower and there's a ton of Amenities there.... 
I didn't get into the Monument until late Morning, so the Light was Harsh with a few Clouds...After Inquiring about the Scenic Drive and being told that it can be "iffy" and the Road was pretty rough right now, I went out to the Overlook to check it out...What I saw of the Road is not a good Indication of what it's really like...It looked pretty Smooth from up there....  Even though they recommend no Cars, only High Clearance or 4x4, there were Cars taking it...After Driving that, I wouldn't have subjected a Car to it...But the Escape did great, even though it was a little Hairy going back up the Switchbacks with Street Tires that are now less than Optimal...
Amazing Drive with Amazing Views...I think I spent about 4 Hours out there...I'm glad I didn't opt for a Tour since those Guys rarely stopped anywhere and were done in just over an Hour...The Handouts I got said this Loop was 17 Miles, but it was nowhere near that...I'm thinking the the Outer Loop, that the Guided Tours take, is the difference there...You can't do the Outer Loop without a Guide...I think my Drive was around 11 Miles total...
As my little Tour progressed, the Light improved and more and more Clouds starting coming in...Although it was 90+ Down There, it didn't feel like it most of the Time...By the time I got back within a Mile of the Visitor's Center, the Wind had really started picking up and it was becoming almost Monsoonish with a big Sandstorm in the Middle of it....
I took a break and ate some Lunch and then went back into the Visitor's Center and Logged in to the Hike...(Separate Triplog and Photoset) I had hesitated to do it with the Temps when I got here, as it looked to be a Hike with absolutely No Shade...But the turning Weather made it a No-Brainer and so I was off on Foot...I was determined to see as much as I could on this Day and also get my 20.00 worth of Admission...
When I got back after my Hike, I decided to go out of the Park and drive the Highway towards Mexican Hat just to see more...I didn't get very far as the Weather was providing some great Photo Ops...I debated when I drove back whether to hit the Sunset inside the Monument, but I decided against it....The Air was getting pretty Brown and although I'm sure if the Sun and Clouds cooperated and made for a Great Finale, I was pretty beat and had decided not to spend any more $$$ here, thus no Camping here tonight...So, I had another 2+ Hours of driving to do to get to my Aunt's House in Cortez, CO...I fueled up the Escape and myself in Kayenta and headed out to a Shower and a Real Bed that Night...
I don't know why it took me so long to see this Place, but it doesn't matter, Return Trips will be forthcoming at some Point...There is a reason this is one of the most Photographed Places in the Country...It's a Real Gem! 
Photos: I think you guys can only imagine how many I ended up with. I knocked the number down as best I could and still be able to take you on the Trip....  |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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| Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!" |
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