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8 April, Wednesday – Here we are in Mexican Hat, UT just north of Monument Valley, much farther along than I thought we would be today. We got out of Albuquerque reasonably early and pushed right along so our first stop was at a really good visitors center at the Grants exit from I-40. After that we continued along I-40 to Gallup and headed north to Window Rock and Ganado where we stopped at the old Hubbel Trading Post which is now a National Historic Site (but still sells cheap souvenirs and expensive Navajo rugs, etc.) By this time the forecast wind was strong enough to keep us from eating lunch outside so we ate on the road. The wind kept increasing and soon we were driving in a sand and dust storm.(photo above left)
In Chinle we turned east to Canyon de Chelly Nat Mon, stopped in the visitors center briefly, then drove the south rim road and stopped at all the turnouts.(photo left) The views were good but not as spectacular as they would have been without the dust in the air. Temps were up in the low 60’s but the wind kept the comfort level pretty low. We had sort of planned to camp at Canyon de Chelly but the wind and blowing sand was too much, so we headed on northwest toward Kayenta and Monument Valley. We were really glad to climb out of or beyond the sandstorm and in to blue sky again before reaching Kayenta. The buttes were spectacular in the late afternoon light and we debated what we should do – try to stay at an expensive Kayenta hotel, camp at Navajo Nat. Mon (1300 ft above Kayenta and still somewhat snowy), or move on north to wherever. We tried the first option and found out that all the hotels were full (Huh? In April?). 
Camping seemed possible but the wind was the dealbreaker so I called the one-star motel in Mex. Hat and got a room. After picking up some dinner we started north through Monument Valley and had great evening light and clear skies for C.J.’s photography.(photo left taken earlier) Descending 1800 ft from Monument Valley, we found the San Juan Inn 
(photo right)overlooking the river of the same name and finished up our shrimp appetizer from last night. The Mexican hat of the town name is a flat-topped balanced rock on the ridge above. We’re glad to be here during this season, even if all the rustic kiosks along the road aren’t staffed with Navajo vendors, because our host says it is typically 110 degrees in the summer. Cool but comfortable now, and the wind has pretty much stopped.
In Chinle we turned east to Canyon de Chelly Nat Mon, stopped in the visitors center briefly, then drove the south rim road and stopped at all the turnouts.(photo left) The views were good but not as spectacular as they would have been without the dust in the air. Temps were up in the low 60’s but the wind kept the comfort level pretty low. We had sort of planned to camp at Canyon de Chelly but the wind and blowing sand was too much, so we headed on northwest toward Kayenta and 
Camping seemed possible but the wind was the dealbreaker so I called the one-star motel in Mex. Hat and got a room. After picking up some dinner we started north through 
(photo right)overlooking the river of the same name and finished up our shrimp appetizer from last night. The Mexican hat of the town name is a flat-topped balanced rock on the ridge above. We’re glad to be here during this season, even if all the rustic kiosks along the road aren’t staffed with Navajo vendors, because our host says it is typically 110 degrees in the summer. Cool but comfortable now, and the wind has pretty much stopped.
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