South Rim, Canyon de Chelly

Monday, 9/10---this is obviously out of order.  Eventually I'll figure out how to get it into the right spot

Today was our day to explore the South Rim along the Canyon de Chelly.  We drove all the way to the end of the access road and then hit all the Viewpoints along the way back.

Spider Rock on the canyon floor

Spider Rock is considered to be the ancestral home of Spider Woman, who is a sacred mythological figure to the Navajo.  She taught them, among other things, how to weave.  They are famous for their wool rugs and wall hangings  Remember the sheep-herd/beggar from yesterday?  They also have lots of sheep to supply all that wool, and they traditionally grazed them on the canyon floor.

Lisa and Nils at a different Viewpoint.

We had the up-close beauty of the Canyon and then pink mountains far into the distance, as far as the eye could see.

There is one place in the Canyon where you are allowed to hike down into the valley without a guide, and the trail leads to the Ruins built by the Anasazi people many hundreds of years ago.  First we descended down many gentle switchbacks, with beautiful views along the way.  Also, PERFECT weather---sunny and warm but with a cool breeze.

Beautiful natural swirls in the rocks below

The White House ruins

The same ruins from about halfway up the canyon

There were vendors showing their wares at the bottom (not far from the ruins), which I always love to look at.  Beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry among other things.