Our 7-week road trip across the USA took us far and wide. We came across a small town called Bluff on the way to our next destination being Monument Valley. This pit stop turned out to be one of the best stops we made during our journey.
Bluff Fort Historical Site is full of amusing things for Kidsetters to interact and play with, giving them a glimpse of pioneer life on the San Juan in the 1880’s.
The 2 men running the gift shop were so much fun. They played cowboys with our 6-year-old Kidsetter and dressed him up in a terrific cowboy vest and handed him a wooden gun. (I’m normally against this form of expression however we were in Utah and it seemed very fitting.) The were so warm and friendly that come time to leave, you can imagine how difficult it was to extract a little boy from playing cowboys in an authentic cowboy setting. Our Kidsetter had such a great time. They gave him an ice-cream and wished him well.
We drove a further 50 miles to reach the iconic symbol of the American West – Monument Valley. We were staying at The View in a charming and compact cabin overlooking this phenomenal landscape.
The moment you arrive at Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park and hop out of your car, you can feel an energy surround you that is intangible. There is a distinct spiritual presence and peacefulness that overcomes you. Time feels like it stands still, and you can breathe again without being wired to technology. You realise that whatever mystical presence is here is far greater than you.
The towering sandstone rock formations have been sculpted over time and soar 400 to 1,000 feet above the valley floor. The combination of the rugged, disruptive landscapes and desert environment is truly one of the natural wonders of the world. Our Kidsetter immediately took to the new surroundings finding ways to connect with nature and just ‘be’.
We enjoyed watching the sunset on the incredible backdrop, seeing how every minute changed the effects of the rock formations. Once the darkness arrived and settled in for the night we could appreciate the timelessness and wonder of the Milky Way. Stopping to appreciate the rhythms of this ancient, sacred land has the ability to change your perspective if you take the time to let it.
Any visit to southeastern Utah must include a visit to Monument Valley.
