Day 45

Late start ... Didn't get to sleep when I should have. Passed dirt track roads leading to 'The Valley of the Gods' and 'Goosenecks' ... would love to see them both


but it's too much of an effort for me ... I reluctantly pass. The very small town of Mexican Hat gets its name from the weird rock formation above. Stopped here for breakfast ... once I'm over the bridge I'm into the Navajo Indian reservation and have to abide by strict protocols ... will do ... don't want to offend anyone. About 20 miles to Monument Valley and I've enough water and food to take me to Kayenta. Sometimes I can be a bit of a 'plonker'. At the visitor's centre I thought I'd try a burrito ... it comes heated up, wrapped in aluminium foil. The Sun is so strong that I'm wearing sunglasses indoors as well as outside ... so you can imagine my vision is impaired. I undo the foil and see the white flatbread wrap and get stuck in ... Hmmm! Not bad ... maybe a little dry but that can be washed down with some Dr Pepper. I continue eating most of the meal but have a mouthful of chewy stuff that I just can't seem to swallow .... then I realise I have also been eating the white napkin that was supplied with the burrito. Oops! Wonder how many calories are in three quarters of a paper napkin? The vista of the buttes in the valley from this viewing point is well worth the effort ... and it has been a hard slog from Mexican Hat up to this point ... the hills are long and steep and slow, because of the heat.


I mentioned a possible accident in one of the videos ... there was no accident, though there will be if tourists insist on standing in the middle of the road with outstretched arms for a photograph in front of this classic backdrop.


Just thinking ... ever since I was a schoolboy I've sketched these mesas and even painted the backdrops for pantomimes with this view in mind. It's hard to take in that I'm actually here ... it doesn't seem right to move on so quickly ... I've studied the displays in the visitor's centre but will take one last look and then say bye ... I'm feeling emotional again ... need to wise up!?


This is the great thing about being on your own ... I can change my mind easily with no one to argue with. I see a primitive approved campsite down in the canyon ... just nearby. I'll stay here tonight, completed 45 miles, and experience both a sunset and sunrise ... eh? Perfect ... not many people get the opportunity to do that in Monument Valley and I'm not breaking any rules or taboos! No Internet access but I can update my blog tomorrow with pics and videos. You'll just have to be patient with me. Plenty of Navajo Indians working in this visitor's centre ... how do you get a photo of one without causing offense?


Got my photo of Chris & Dion ... both full 100% pedigree Navajo ... and very friendly. A very dramatic thunderstorm has enveloped the area. Flashes of lightning are terrifying. I'll wait until it passes before setting up the tent. The rain is bouncing off the pavement ... Wow! Didn't expect this ... and there's a lovely rainbow too. Lots of European and Asian visitors about. This place is making a small fortune ... entrance fee $5 per person. $10 to set up a tent ... toilets but no shower ... now that's a bit of a rip-off! Video 1:Coming into Monument Valley Video 2:At the Visitor's Centre

Location:Mexican Hat