After we left the Bonneville Salt Flats we visited our friends Dale and Karen near Salt Lake City UT. It was great to see them and they let us camp in their driveway for a few days. We are planning on seeing them again next year when we return. Next we headed east into the corner of New Mexico. We were planning on camping in Chaco Valley which is where the ancestral Pueblo people lived from 850 to 1250. Unfortunately it was raining and the road in was impassable. We’ll try again next time. This is not our photo, but you can see how amazing it is.
Next we went to Monument Valley in UT. On the first day here we drove through Valley of the Gods. We were going to tent camp here but the lows were 30 at night so we decided not to go for it. All of the rest of the pictures are John’s or mine.
When you are leaving Valley of the Gods there’s road called Moki Dugway that winds to the top of a nearby mountain. It was a little scary going up, and down, but wow what a view.
Yesterday we were very fortunate to have a contact in the Navajo Nation (thanks Dale!) who offered to take us on a behind the scenes tour of places in the valley. Nathan was a wonderful guide and taught us so much about the Navajo history and the magical places in Monument Valley where he grew up with his family. This is Nathan.
And I no longer have a Pavement Princess!
Today we came to Gooseneck State Park in UT. We’re camped right on the edge overlooking a deep meander of the San Juan River.
We should have more Gooseneck photos and video in the following days.
Where's Wanda (and John) Now? 
Great pics of course. Kim &Jad
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NATHAN EAGLESPEAKS SUTHERLAND, grew up in Monument Valley Utah. Having been raised in the traditional Navajo (Dine’) culture, he is half Navajo and half California Wiyot. He and his sister Tara spent much of their youth in Indian Boarding schools where atempts to deculturalize them, not only failed, but instilled in them a sense of pride in their heritage. Both fluent in the Navajo language, they try to speak as much as possible in their Native tongue to their children to keep their rapidly declining language from becoming extinct. Without going into great detail, life on the reservation is difficult, expecially during the winter or off season tourism months where they live a meager existence. No hot and cold runnign water, the main source of heating their homes is hand cut wood. Having know them for many years, I consider them to be family. Thank you John and Wanda for making that a destination stop along your path of adventure. Much love and hugs to you both!
Dale Whitney
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