June 21-22, 2022
Blanding, which sit at an elevation of 6100′, is essentially a gateway town to numerous state and federal parks and monuments – such as Canyonlands, Bears Ears, Valley of the Gods, Moki Dugway, Monument Valley, Hovenweep, etc.
Our destination was Monument Valley – but in typical Terrell fashion, we took some detours. From US 191, we took US 163 to Valley of the Gods, which is a kind of microcosm of Monument Valley with numerous buttes, not quite as tall, and with greater density per square mile. Accessible via a dirt road, well-packed, signage nonetheless warns drivers that rain would make it impassible. The sky contained only fleecy clouds, so we ventured in.
On the other side of this valley is the “Moki Dugway” whose iconic dirt switchbacks have been featured in everything from clothing catalogs to Utah Promo material. As we zigged-zagged our way up the side of a mesa, the views in every direction were breathtaking. We made the top of the mesa and began our way back down. We found the spot where all those photos are taken.
When we rolled into Goulding’s for a late lunch, it was 2pm. We had also made a stop at the overlooks (3!) in honor of Forrest Gump’s run across America, after Jenny broke his heart (yet again). This was the road where he finally stopped, and decided he was done. You would not believe the number of people willing to chance standing in the middle of a high-speed road in order to get the shot you see in the movie. Or maybe you would….
US 163 goes through Monument Valley, and I would say that you can see just as much from the road as by “tour” in soft sand by open-air off-road vehicles. As it turned out, the fleecy clouds were gathering in purple luminosity, and the wind began to whip. Great gusts of sand began to blow across the road, nailing us broadside. We pressed on. The landscape was fascinating – monuments still illuminated by the sun became apparitions in the sandstorm against a dark, promising (rain) sky. Despite windows and vents closed, we could taste the grit.
Then it was over – with barely a spit of rain where we were, down in Kayenta, AZ. The sand ceased blowing and the sun popped out. But I was taking all of my photos through the windshield and side window, at this point, just to be sure.
WordShelter.com 