Day 9: Monument Valley

We start the day with a cozy breakfast. Then we pack our things and move on. Today we cover long distances. It takes us 2 hours to reach the first stop. The landscape is surprisingly green. I imagined it to be more barren. There are many small green bushes, but underneath is the red sand or sandstone, which means it is not suitable for agricultural use. By noon, we reach Monument Valley. The area has been operated by the Navajo since 1868. First, we visit the Visitor Center and admire the view of the red sandstone. We spontaneously decide to take a guided tour through this area. The unpaved road is closed to public traffic today, so we opt for a guided tour. We receive several offers for a tour and book one for $240 for the four of us. This includes a 2 1/2-hour tour with a four-wheel-drive Jeep. We sit on the back seats with a metal structure to shield us from the sun. Before the tour, we quickly have some bread and off we go. The ride is bumpy and the sand sometimes burns in our eyes. We stop regularly for photos and explanations from the Navajo guide. The 300 to 610 meters high monoliths are very impressive, and we recognize similarities to animals like elephants, camels, or dragons. Our tour also takes us to several natural bridges. Over time, holes have been formed in the rock by wind and water, creating arches. It is wonderful to see. We also see rock paintings. We learn that the Navajo operate their own land here and live by their own laws. However, they are still not truly treated as equals today. The poverty in the area is clearly visible. The main source of income here is tourism.
Our tour is very worthwhile, and we are thrilled by this unique landscape. It is already 4 p.m. (Utah time) when we leave Monument Valley behind. A few kilometers later, we make a photo stop. This is where Forrest Gump's running scene was filmed.

Now we are feeling adventurous and take a detour of almost 2 hours to stand in 4 states at the same time. At Four Corners, 4 states meet, allowing us to stand in Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico simultaneously. We do not want to miss this opportunity. Here too, the facility is operated by the Navajo. Admission is required again. At $24 for us, it is not exactly a bargain, but David suddenly becomes a year younger. As small as he is, it works. We line up briefly and get our photos taken. Each of us stands in a different state. Then we take a walk through all the states and get back in the car. We know this location from the movie