Monument Valley

One of the monoliths

After leaving Lee’s Ferry I decided on a round about way to Mesa Verde National Park. I drove through Monument Valley which is in both Arizona and Utah on the Navaho reservation.  If you have seen an old western film you have probably seen Monument Valley, it is a trademark of the west. It isn’t really a valley but a broad flat plain where giant rock monoliths rise from the floor of the desert. These monoliths are that bright vermillion red that dazzles the eyes.

Can you see the Mexican Hat?

On the way, I went through a small town named Mexican Hat, named for the rock formation just outside the town. The San Juan River passes through here and Mexican Hat is a stop off for rafters on their way to Lake Powell.

I camped at Sand Island which is along the San Juan River as well. I knew the campground had some petroglyphs that I wanted to check out. What I didn’t know was that this campground is a big staging area for people going on rafting trips.

two guys preparing their equipment.

I had seen companies take people on rafting trips through the Grand Canyon but I didn’t realize that many people do it without those companies and just use their own equipment and a river guide. It was fun watching people get their rafts ready for the big trip. They float the San Juan from Sand Island all the way to Lake Powell, the trip takes about a week.

I met a family who were about to take the trip. I was amazed at all the gear they had to bring. When they pulled up it was like the clown trick in the circus where 20 clowns get out of a Volkswagen. Four people, a raft, inflatable kayaks, and just a staggering amount of gear came out of their car. All they needed for a week had to go in the raft. Tents, sleeping bags, coolers, food,a toilet, clothes and drink all packed in waterproof bags.

Happy Rafters!

Their excitement rubbed off on me, I was ready to get a raft and try it. When it was launch time I went down and photographed the whole family. The kids each got to paddle their own inflatable kayak, and the adults manned the rafts. I learned there is even a taxi service which drives your car to the place where you will end up in a week. I was so jealous, I wanted to throw Tangerine Dream (name of my kayak) into the water and beg them to take me with them. Oh well, that will be an adventure for another day.

The popular Kokopelli

The next day I tore myself away from rafting and went to check out the petroglyphs at the campsite. It was here I met the real Kokopelli. The symbol for Kokopelli is all over the southwest. He is celebrated as a God of Fertility and Rain by some of the Native tribes in the area. Now he has become a popular symbol of creativity and you see his emasculated form everywhere. The popular Kokopelli is depicted with antennae, playing a flute.  The Sand Island petroglyphs included a figure of Kokopelli with the antennae and the flute but with one important difference, you can see how well endowed he is. This Kokopelli is a down to earth guy, fertilizing the earth with his huge penis. Akin to the Greek God of Pan, he plays his flute and is also known as a trickster. I think the trick is on us. I’m glad I got to meet him.

Petroglyph of the real Kokopelli

Another view of monument valley

The colors of the landscape are spectacular!

Some of the images become abstract, just color and texture.

Road near Mexican Hat

My campsite on the San Juan River

Full moon in the desert

Howl!!!

The petroglyphs at this site were very fanciful, this guy is all dressed up, maybe a chief?

Another fun petroglyph from the site.