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CANYON DE CHELLY, AZ - (09.09) - B&W
I had been to Canyon de Chelly in 1980 with my sons and other family members. We always joked about it because I ended up having car problems and the car had to be towed across state lines, and there were about 10 of us crammed into one car (v. two)and it always sent shivers up my spine whenever we reminisced about it! ; ) But this time was different - 29 years later. The canyon was still glorious. On this trip my husband and I took the South Rim route, and hiked down the 1 1/4 miles one way to White House for a look see! We weren't in shape - need I say more? Navajo Indians are the current residents of Canyon de Chelly, however, they weren't the first. Previous to the Navajo, were Archaic, Basketmaker, Puebloan (referred to as Anasazi), and the Hopi.

Click on the pictures for a closer view ...


Canyon Clouds
Canyon de Chelly National Monument was established in 1931 to preserve the archeological ruins and the important record of human history.
Canyon Cliffs
The canyon is acrtually several canyons that include Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto (canyon of the dead). The cliffs rise from 30' to 1,000' from the floor.
White House
White House is not a Navajo structure, rather it was built by the ancient Puebloan people. It gets its name from a long wall in the upper dwelling that is covered with white plaster. For me, this was well worth the hike.
Canyon Floor
I took this one on our hike back out of the canyon. Fabulous clouds.
Sacred Canyon
Within the four sacred mountains lies the canyon that holds the history and culture of Dine - the Navajo people. We know the canyon as Canyon de Chelly, to the Navajo it is Tsegi (SAY-ih)- a physical and spiritual home.
Antelope House Ruin
A far away view of this ruin from the other side of the canyon. It's named for antelope drawings attributed to Debe Yazhi (Little Sheep) who lived here in the early 1880s.
Sun Shining Thru
The canyon is just as breathtaking as the Grand Canyon. Imagine yourself living here, living off the land, as the Navajo still do to this day.
Canyon Erosion
It's taken about 2 million years and volumes of water to etch out this canyon.
Canyon Floor
The Navajo culture and traditions are practiced to this day. They live as their ancestors did raising sheep, growing corn and alfalfa, and small fruit orchards. Here you can see a traditional log hogan on the canyon floor where family ceremonies are held.
Breathtaking View of Canyon de Chelly
The Navajo people are proud people and you could tell they take pride in their 'home'. The canyon was pristine in nature and there were only breathtaking views.
Canyon Varnish
What you are looking at is what the Navajo refer to as 'canyon varnish' made by years of rain washing minerals down the canyon walls.

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