DESERT LANDSCAPE SLIDESHOW

Desert landscapes from Arizona, Colorado and Utah.


DESERT LANDSCAPES - Images by Kinsey Barnard

©Kinsey Barnard

Monument Valley Arizona/Utah

As far as photography goes this is a tough time of year here in the Rockies. The splendors of winter have faded and left a certain barren landscape whilst we await the wonders of the new life spring will bring.

Monument Valley

So, I'm going back to last winter at this time when I was shooting in Monument Valley which straddles Arizona and Utah. I don't think there is a more colorful desert anywhere. No matter in what direction you look there is some kaleidoscopic something to see and to shoot.

Monument Valley

The sky and the clouds are truly incredible. The sandstone desert is capped by the most intense blue and the clouds are pure, well purity. They are big, boisterous and beautiful. I'm quite partial to the clouds in Montana's Big Sky but there can be no doubt those in the Monument Valley give them a run for the money.


Monument Valley by Kinsey Barnard

There's something else I like a lot about Monument Valley. It's still some what primitive. The valley belongs to the sovereign nation of the Navajo and it is their intention to keep it primitive for as long as they can. I believe that will be indefinitely. If you come with the right kind of vehicle you can travel the desert to your hearts content. Koty and I put in I don't know how many miles just going up and down the dirt roads.You can see for miles and miles and miles .....

Looking Down the Road

As mentioned many times, patterns in nature fascinate me no end and there is no shortage of that kind of thing to see in Monument Valley. As they say, you can't make this stuff up! If you are into this sort of thing the sandstone designs will knock your socks off. Mother Nature just keeps coming up with extraordinary designs. One commenter thought the image below looked like sharks teeth. I think she's right.


Monument Valley Designs by Kinsey Barnard

The main event is the Tribal Park where you will find the biggest, baddest monuments. This area is quite crowded. You can take guided or self guided trips around the loop road. I recommend you take one of the park jitneys unless you have a car you're not too concerned about. Most of the road is just fine but the first quarter mile down into the park or so is a real goat track.

As for accommodations go there are really only two choices. You can go upscale at the relatively new The View hotel which is within the tribal park and sits on a bluff overlooking the valley. Even if you don't stay here you should stop in for "The View".

The other option is Gouldings Lodge. Before The View it was the only accommodation in Monument Valley. It played host to John Wayne and John Huston and is steeped in the history of the valley.


Stagecoach by Kinsey Barnard.

The Lodge is a little frayed around the edges but I think it's part of the charm. The view from here isn't too shabby either. You'll have the opportunity to see some awesome sunsets from your balcony. Even if you don't stay here you might want to stop in to check out the museum.

Whether you are interested in photography or not I can pretty much guarantee you you will have an eye popping time in Monument Valley. It's truly a natural wonder.

©Kinsey Barnard Photography

NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK MONUMENT VALLEY

I had so many chores to attend to around the ranch this week we didn't get a chance to go exploring. Something is eating it's way through my lawn and I'm having a dickens of a time figuring out what. And, there is the never ending work in the forest.

So, I will go back in time to the day we went to the Navajo Tribal Park in Monument Valley.

There is really only one place to stay with an RV near the park, that's Gouldings. There has been only one lodge, also Gouldings. But, the Navajo have built a brand new lodge over looking the park. The views are nothing less than stunning. And, not surprisingly the place is called "The View". It didn't look like it was open yet to me but a check of the Internet said the grand opening was 02-2008. I find this hard to believe.

NAVJO TRIBAL PARK MONUMENT VALLEY

There are all kinds of jitney and jeep tours that you can take into the valley and if you are particularly fond of your car I recommend that you take one. Unfortunately for poor little Shadow I can't take a tour to do my photography.

It took a little exploring to even find the road that goes into the park. Once found, the first half mile down into the canyon is, well, a vertical goat track. Down at the bottom I stopped to ask a fellow selling jewelry if the road was like that all around the loop. Thank gawd he said that was the worst of it. Already I was dreading climbing back out. But, totally trusting we went on our way into the valley. You'll want to allow about three hours for this ride because you'll go at a snail's pace and there is a lot to take in. We were lucky because we went early and there were not too many cars on the trail. A person could choke on the red dust so first thing in the morning.

NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK MONUMENT VALLY

The tribal park has been the site of many westerns with John Wayne and John Ford. And, the Navajo are quite proud of this heritage.

NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK MONUMENT VALLEY THE THREE SISTERS

About half way around is where you will find the Three Sisters and horse for rent. So if you are inclined to take a horseback ride this is the place.

NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK MONUMENT VALLEY

It took us nearly all day as I had to stop every five seconds to try for an image. If ever there was a place full of eye candy this is certainly one.

NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK MONUMENT VALLY

And, if you are a lover of color as am I this place will totally consume you. What is ironic to me is that a place so harsh to live in can at the same time be so incredibly beautiful. In fact without the harsh climate conditions this wonder would probably not exist at all.

NAVAJO TRIBAL PARK MONUMENT VALLEY

There is much to see in Monument Valley but the Tribal Park is special. They have corralled some of the very best scenery in the valley. But, don't miss the roads all over the reservation you'll find some real treasures and you won't have to deal with the crowds. Most reservations I have been on are somewhat restrictive as to where you can go but this one seems very open and if you have the adventurer spirit you could spend weeks here and see something new and beautiful everyday.

©Kinsey Barnard

KINSEY BARNARD PHOTOGRAPHY

MONUMENT VALLEY & MY NEW FRIEND JACK

We didn't get a chance to go out for a shoot this week. Too many projects going on, not the least of which is the continuing chore of cleaning up after the windstorm. Since I'm doing it all by hand I'll probably be out there with the old chainsaw for the rest of my life. There will be tons of slash which needs to be gathered and burned. Then there is the blocking and splitting. I must be a simple minded soul because I really love it. These blow down boys are really tricky and getting them all the way down without killing myself is a challenge.Chainsaws can be a nasty business.

So, I thought I would go back in time and pick a day from our winter trip to recount.

The day is March 24,2009 and Koty and I have set out to explore the Navajo Nation back roads.

NAVAJO SHEEP HERDING DOG AT WORK

We come across a small herd of sheep with dogs working the herd keeping them away from the road. The dogs look like mutts but boy do they know their job. It's really a beautiful thing to watch. It's like a delicate dance. I couldn't resist pulling over and trying to catch some of the performance.

I was barely getting started when this old pickup pulls up and parks on the other side of the road. The man in the truck just watches me. I'm thinking this is maybe the herd owner and he isn't too keen on me messing with his sheep. I stopped what I was doing and just waited. Pretty quick the truck made a u-turn and pulled up beside me.
The man inside introduced himself as Jack the owner of the sheep.

I sort of have this gift, talent, whatever that allows me to draw people out and engage them in interesting conversation. This was to be one of those times.

NAVAJO NATION


I learned quite a bit from Jack. The most astonishing thing to me is that the Navajo do not resent the whites, at least not the tourists. Apparently, there is still some racism felt with the local whites. I learned Native Americans are very patriotic. The Navajo have a vast pride for their part in WWII (Navajo Code Talkers). I learned that life is tough on the reservation. Most must drive to Gouldings, where there is a public well, to get their drinking water. In most places the well water is just too saline for anything other than washing. It has to be hauled for the livestock as well.

I learned that the elders are quite concerned that the younger generation are turning their backs on Navajo customs and culture. I find this a travesty as well. There is so much of Native American culture that is light years ahead of western whites. But, these customs and cultures are still practiced by many of the older tribal members. They still use peyote and conjure visions. I learned that the medicine man still has a revered place. Most of all I learned the Navajo are a gracious people.

NAVAJO NATION

Jack and I probably talked for an hour. I didn't get many photographs of his dogs working as they moved out of range whilst we talked. I didn't mind. The conversation was fascinating and every bit as colorful as the landscapes. Before he left Jack told me of a road to take where the landscapes were "good". The images are representative of that landscape.

NAVAJO NATION

Jack pointed out his place and gave me a standing invitation. If I ever get back to Monument Valley, and surely hope I do, I will go visit Jack at his ranch and learn more.

If you have never visited this enchanted place you really should. Mother Nature quite dramatically shows how two-faced she can be. And, nowhere does she show those two faces more profoundly than in this desert. On the one hand she serves up a beauty that will make your heart break. On the other she delivers the harshest of living conditions. Cold in winter, blazing hot in summer and red dust storms that will drive a sane man crazy. A truly amazing place!

©Kinsey Barnard

WE ARE BACK!

Boy! The last four months have not been uplifting for the likes of Koty and I. We were never meant to stay in one location for two months at a time. We got a little discumbibulated. We won't ever do that again!



We are on the road again and boy does it feel wonderful! At the moment we are in Blanding, Utah having just come from Monument Valley. All I can say about Monument Vally is WOW! If you have not seen it, it is a must see.

As I get myself organized here I will back track where we've ha e been since leaving Apache Junction and try and get some photos up as well.

We've probably lost all our readers but maybe they will find us again.