From the Rocky Mountains to Monument Valley

Thursday, October 19, 2023, day 19

IN ADVANCE !! : we are in the Wild West and internet is a matter of luck. Sometimes we have 3G, sometimes nothing, which tests our patience. No chance to upload images, just text at best. Pictures are coming, and we have a lot of great pictures.

We started in Pagosa Springs in the Rocky Mountains and drove through incredibly beautiful scenery. Great forests, great mountains, lonely country roads, we were up to an altitude of over 2500 m.

Then we came to a historical place, four corners, where the borders of the states Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico were established around 1870. I stood at the exact intersection where all four states converge.

On the way here it was impressive to see how quickly the landscape changes. From forested mountains with many rivers in Colorado, the landscape changed within a short time (1 hour drive) to dry prairie in Utah/Arizona. However, we went from over 8500 ft (2500 m) to about 5000 ft (1500 m).

We reached our destination, Monument Valley, late in the afternoon. We saw the spectacular rock formations from far away. The area largely belongs to the Navajo Indians, who also live in this area with their own settlements. We drove to a campground and enjoyed the sunset. Tomorrow we will stay here for another day because we want to explore Monument Valley in peace.