Canyon de Chelly: North Rim

Thanks again to Daylight Savings Time we got a late start – thanks to losing an hour we weren’t even on the road until 11 am today.  Last night we had thought of maybe reserving a jeep tour with a Navajo guide that would take us down in the canyon, but in the end we didn’t.  When we saw the weather today, we were actually glad we didn’t.  It was ridiculously windy (gusting to 50 mph) and dust was blowing everywhere.  Not the day to be in a jeep or open truck bed!

We still drove along the north rim of Canyon de Chelly, though, and we got some decent photos before the dust storm made us call it a day.  Here is one of Antelope Vista:

Many of the viewpoints have very sheer drop-offs.  At one viewpoint, photographer Kevin dared me to stand as close to the edge as I could without freaking out or falling off.  Just as he took this shot, the wind kicked up, blowing in the direction of the canyon.  Kevin was frantically gesturing for me to come back.  Disaster averted.

All the viewpoints along the North Rim contain Anasazi cliff dwelling ruins.  The ones at Mummy Cave were particularly well-preserved.  Two mummies were found here in the 1880’s, hence the name.

By a little after noon, we were getting pummeled by the wind and dust so we decided to call it a day and go back to the campground.  We definitely enjoyed coming up here to see the canyon, though.  Kevin said it reminded him of Yosemite valley, only in technicolor.  Here’s the “Where’s Waldo” shot of the day: