travel north america united states arizona canyon de chelly
Canyon de Chelly (pronounced d'SHAY) has always been on my list of must-see native american historical sites.
Since entry to the canyon is by native guide only, we took trip reviewers recommendations and went to the extra expense
of hiring a personal half-day 4x4 tour with Adam Teller, Antelope House Tours, instead of taking one of the "crowded" hotel truck tours.
Adam was pleasant and quite knowledgeable. But it wasn't until we were on the tour that we found out we wouldn't be seeing the main canyon.
Instead we toured Canyon del Muerto where he and many of his family lived during the summer.
And it wasn't til our trip was over that I realized we hadn't even seen many of the ruins at the upper end of Canyon del Muerto.
Hopefully, next time, I won't be so tired that I don't ask the right quetions before booking.
Unlike the ruins at Chaco Canyon, most of the ones here are fenced off and seen only from a distance.
Needless to say, we were a bit disappointed...
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S WEB PAGE ON CANYON DE CHELLY NATIONAL MONUMENT
TRAVEL: June 2009 -
This location has earned an overall three-and-a-half star (good+) rating from
Travel Fanatics Unlimited
****
unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Spider Rock from the over-look, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, 2009.
First Ruin, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, 2009.
Junction Ruin, Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, 2009.
Antelope House ruins, Canyon del Muerto.
Free range horses in Canyon del Muerto.
Free range horses in Canyon del Muerto.
Free range horses in Canyon del Muerto.
Petroglyphs, Canyon del Muerto, Arizona, 2009.
Petroglyphs, Canyon del Muerto, Arizona, 2009.
Late afternoon at Spider Rock where, according to legend, Spider woman takes bad children to eat them.
The whiter areas of rock near the top are said to be the bones of the children.
(photo by Lynn Chamberlin)
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised june 2022