Monument Valley

Today we visited Monument Valley near the Arizona Utah border. It is entirely contained on the Navajo Reservation. We were led by a Navajo guide Will and shown the spectacular monuments and numerous iconic film location sites. Will knows his way around an iPhone pano.

https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/culture/arts-entertainment/12-movies-shot-in-monument-valley-on-the-navajo-nation/.

Clare recreated an iconic Marlboro Man shot on horseback at John Ford's point. So we didn't get it exactly correct. I like it better. Tofu Woman > Marlboro Man.

We also visited native Navajo homes called hogans. They have a log skeleton and are covered in dried mud. The women's are round and the men's slightly elongated. Both have a fire in the middle and a door facing the east. When the sun enters the door in the morning it marks the month on the wall and the time of doing different things such as planting or hunting. We especially liked the rock formation called "Big Hogan" where Indiana Jones was filmed dropping into the snake pit.

As we left the Reservation and headed west we crossed the exact spot where Forrest Gump stopped running. Run Forrest Run!

Next we met up with Jenny and Shawn for a burger and beers at Ska Brewing. We also toured the spectacular Ohfield Lodge tucked into a mountainside up above beautiful Durango, CO. I could spend a day in the garage checking out bikes but the kids were in awe when Shawn fired up the speakers in the sound studio and sat them at the controls. Some say that dogs shouldn't hot tub but Iko, Uni and Banjo beg to differ. To cap off the day I finally met my Elder, Pliny the Elder! I've wanted to sample that Russian River masterpiece for quite some time and thanks to Jenny and Shawn I now have. It is not an easy beer to find on the East Coast. The Ohfield Lodge Tour is top notch and now that it is paired with a Pliny sampling you'd best book early! Thanks guys!!

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