8th September 2010



Monument Valley

 We planned on a slightly earlier start today and got to McD's for our breakfast by 10am, only to be told that it was 11am and they had stopped doing breakfast. That's the last time I rely on a clock from a hotel. We were a bit annoyed that we had lost an hour of our day. No wonder housekeeping were trying to get in. We had quarter pounders with cheese and a coffee each for brunch instead. Having already filled up with fuel in Kayenta, we set off for Monument Valley, which was 20 miles away.

Monument Valley

It cost $5 to enter Monument Valley. The view over the valley and of the 3 massive columns of rock was spectacular. There was the option to drive round the 27km dirt road which circles the columns but, as it had been raining, it was recommended that motorcycles did not. As soon as we pulled up we were offered a guided tour in one of the open vehicles for $50 each. We politely declined. It didn't look like there was much else to see and nothing that could compare with the view we had seen on arrival. I took plenty of photos.

We made the decision to move on fairly early but the weather had other plans for us. Black clouds had already gathered and I was glad that we decided to see if they came our way. It began to rain heavily so we went for a, no doubt overpriced, coffee in the visitor centre restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised to find that a medium coffee was a rather normally priced $1.50. We indulged in a slice of pie each; apple for Bill, cherry for me. We sat outside with
 our eats and spoke for a while to a German guy who was also on a 3 week holiday, travelling with his wife.

Bill and Lee at Monument Valley



We left Monument Valley after the downpour had finished and stopped to take photographs at the valley entrance, where there was a bronze statue. While taking photographs a Native American pulled up in a big 4x4. He started complaining that we had parked in the way of the side road. We had but there was plenty of room to get past over a bit of rough but solid ground. Nothing his truck couldn't handle. He kept saying "It's getting very tired; people parking here". Bill went to move his bike but the man wasn't happy with that, even though he could get past on the road completely with Bill's bike moved. He honked his horn at me. I took my time taking my photographs and then went to move my bike. By this time more cars were coming down the road and were honking as he was in the way. What a kerfuffle we caused. Monument Valley is clearly owned by the Navajo nation. Their rich history and culture is everywhere. They are allowed their own judicial system (within boundaries) and control their own councils. They also have ownership of the resources on their land. The area is divided into various chapters and spreads over a wide area but I have not looked to understand the official boundaries.

We made our way down the road to the valley exit. When we got there, the road was flooded and water was flowing down one side of it. Quite some rain had fallen. We drove through the flood, which soaked my bike and go-pro camera with red, muddy water. I stopped to clean off the camera before heading back to Kayenta and on towards Page, Arizona.

Our next stop was at the Navajo National Monument. It appeared to be a view over canyons, viewable from a visitor centre which is 9 miles from highway 160. We had already stopped to take a photo from the road bank, so didn't venture in to the visitor centre (for fear of being charged more money). We returned to highway 160 and then turned right on to the 98 towards Page. We briefly diverted at a sign saying "Shonto Trading Post" but it turned out to be in a town quite a few miles away. We ended up down a road that led to a local Indian community, where we turned round and headed back to the 98.

We didn't stop again until we got to Page. The road was nice, with varying scenery but it was windy and very gusty in places. We stopped for fuel as we got in to Page and then parked up to book a room at Motel 6, via Starbucks' wifi. By the time we found Starbucks and found they had no wifi, we had missed the chance to book on the Internet. We decided to get our evening meal before going to Motel 6. This turned out to be an ordeal. I obtained a listing of restaurants from the town visitor centre. The first restaurant wasn't at the address stated. The second was empty and we wandered in, looked at the menu, and out again without the staff (sounded like they were washing dishes) even realising we were there. We parked outside a pokey Pizza Hut then pulled away again to stop at a steak house we had just passed. I must admit that I was pretty grumpy, through lack of sustenance, at this point.

The food at the steak house was ok but nothing special. I had a Jalapeno/burger/cheese melt sandwich with side salad and fries. Bill was allowed a child's portion of grilled cheese with fries. We had a bottle of beer each too. When the bill arrived, it was wrong and they had added $5.50 service charge. No tip for them then. I queried the extra $2.75 when we went to pay and wish I hadn't. The woman cashier was confused and eventually worked out that the bar staff had overcharged on the beers. When she was trying to work out how much to refund me, while making other people wait, I gave her $51 and requested $15 in return. So I guess they did end up with a few cents tip.

We got to Motel 6 and rented a $79 dollar room from Priscilla, the unsmiling, obviously unhappy to be there receptionist. We got our key and went outside to park and lock up the bikes. We were immediately approached by a Mexican looking chap who engaged us in pleasant conversation. Only enough, of course, to justify asking us for money. We told him that we couldn't spare any and he went on his way.

We eventually got to our room, where I wrote the diary while watching Clint Eastwood in one of his Dirty Harry roles. I also booked us a room at the Casablanca Casino and Hotel, via Expedia, for $27. Result!

The bike mileage read 47420, which means we have travelled 193 miles this day and 3044 since picking the bikes up.