The Story Behind the Photo - No. 2

I have traveled out to Monument Valley two times. It is located in northeastern Arizona on the Utah border, and is a Navajo Tribal Park. We were lucky the day I took this photo. The rider posed for photos, and it could not have been better planned.

The history of the park is unique. John Ford, the movie maker, found this area and began making movies in the park back in the 1930’s. The John Wayne movies are most familiar. “The Searchers” with John Wayne and Natalie Wood is certainly one of my favorites.

Another interesting place in central Arizona is the Montezuma Castle National Monument. It is located east of Sedona. Although it may not be as familiar to the general tourist, it is a very historical location that housed an active indigent population that historically goes back to 11001425 AD.

It is a rather small area that housed a large population. There are remnants of multiple cliff dwellings in the area. There was a small river, and it was difficult to see how there was enough area to grow enough food for the hundreds that existed there.

Traveling around our great country, it is amazing to find such interesting places from our early history. Our great Southwest holds a trove of great places from our early history. I have visited Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon, and White Sands National Monument. Even the Wichita Mountains just north of us is a great day trip from our area.

Road trips with friends across the country have been some of my favorite things to do. So thankful I had the opportunity of sharing the road with friends. Happy trails to you.