I figure the only reason John Ford picked Monument Valley for his westerns - and thus made it so famous that thousands of people go to visit - is because he didn't know about Cathedral Valley. We went for a two day exploration and it was absolutely stunning. This is the most amazing place, and nobody knows about it or goes there. Of course it does require a high clearance vehicle and the 30 mile dirt road drive in is a bit tricky in places....and I hope they never change that. I had a park guide from years ago that I had picked up in anticipation of the time we would go. They have a new guide now that is not nearly as long or detailed, I was glad to have both. I never expected it to take long so long to get there. But I'm in love now and may have to go more often.
We had a hard time deciding to make the trip since the weather was threatening rain. But in the end Russ wanted to at least try the river ford and then the rain held off and after a very short shower finally cleared up. We passed maybe two cars on the way in. Had another camper with us at the campground and passed a biker on the way out. I stood at the edge of the campground and could literally hear nothing but my own breath and heart beat. It was a desert solitude that I so crave. It filled my soul.
I'm glad we decided to camp overnight. It just gives you so much more time to absorb the sense of place. I was a little disappointed that the campground was on the mesa top rather than down in the valley. Maybe it is cooler in the summer but I was hoping to spend time with those magnificent monoliths. As it was I sat looking at them from above as long as I could.
