Traveling across the mesa, the Valley of the Gods abruptly touches it. Descending on a narrow, unpaved road with multiple tight switchbacks we hoped we wouldn’t encounter a vehicle too big to clear a switchback. Dust obscured the view of the road. Despite the treacherous road we were again mesmerized by the views of the valley. We had been here on our honeymoon, on a hundred degree day in July with no air conditioning. This time the air was cool and we drove in relative comfort and it was late afternoon with a storm approaching. The sky was dramatic and mercurial. I exposed the camera to the sandblast and hoped the seals are as tight as advertised.
The land area of Bears Ears National Monument in southern Utah could be reduced by 95 percent depending on the U.S. Congress
From the mesa, the valley stretches out with magical colors
In the valleys flowers bloom, buttes erupt, and arroyos cut deeply
Mexican Hat, made of red sandstone, rises majestically above the Valley of the Gods, over 4,000 above sea level
Backlighted by late afternoon sky this castle rises up in Monument Valley
The monuments remind me of fortresses and cathedrals–designed to shock and awe
A strong wind rips dust from the dry valley and obliterates details of the monuments
After a brief rain and dust storm the setting sun reemerged
A rainbow at golden hour leads our eyes to a majestic monument ahead
The clouds framing Angel’s Peak at sunset remind us of the storms that shape this beautiful valley