Just Another Curiosity Near Monticello.

Approximately 9 and 1/2 miles north of Monticello, Utah is a pull in point with an informational board; a section of Route 191 on Peters Hill. It's in a rather awkward place; either you've just increased speed to get up the hill, so cannot easily slow down to pull in, or you're coming down and around a steep curve and once again cannot slow down to pull in. This time though I was determined to pull in and read what was on the board; since traffic was slim to none with tourist season over, I could drive slowly enough to be able to pull in without worrying about on coming traffic, or something tail gating me from behind.

Welcome to Peters Point; now who the heck was Peters?  Good question, but according to written records such as "Saga of San Juan" and "History of Northern San Juan County", Peters (last name, no first name known) drove 2000 head of cattle into the canyon area in 1880; he built a cabin from local rock at a nearby spring and that's that.  Now in 1880, the Mormon "Hole in the Rock" pioneers settled in Bluff; Monticello was settled in 1881 and in between was Verdure already settled previously.  Was Peters one of the original pioneers, or one of the Verdure cattlemen that had been driven out by the pioneers?  Personally, I'm going with the latter idea, since the pioneers did not bring 2000 head of cattle with them over that rough terrain; so they must have been here with the Verdure cattlemen.  Then suddenly I come upon a written transcript of an oral history of a woman from La Sal who verified that Peters was indeed one of the Colorado cattlemen. "History of La Sal, Utah Area as given by Norma P. Blankenagel" can be found at the Eastern Utah Human History Library; it is part of public record and history of San Juan County.

So back to Peters Point itself which is approximately 7800 acres of land managed by the BLM.  It is essentially a wilderness study area with goals of keeping the natural wild, and wildlife, from being encroached upon by urban development.  However, natural growth is also maintained to keep it from becoming a potential fire hazard, especially during the drought seasons.  Good!  As much as I would like to see the city of Monticello grow with more business opportunities, lets keep that within the city limits.  The natural beauty and wonders that surround the city are what draw visitors to Monticello; and why the residents love the area  so much, and that includes my husband and myself. 

Unfortunately, while visiting the pull in area, litter could be see on the pavement and down amongst the trees; so I have to ask, and no, I am not politically correct at all, but why are people so stupid?  Seriously, have they no clue as to what the trash can do to the environment; how it can make ill or even kill the wildlife?  Is it so hard to bring their trash to a designated receptacle; what is the point of being so lazy and dirty?  There just has to be something mentally wrong with these individuals, simple as that.

Anyway, whether you're heading on up Peters Hill towards Monticello, or wending your way down to the valley and see Church Rock in the distance; slow down, pull in and take a gander at Peters Point.

Mary Cokenour

Goulding's Lodge and its Place in Movie History.

Goulding’s Lodge

PO Box 360001
1000 Main Street
Monument Valley, UT 84536

Phone: (800) 874-0902
            (435) 727-3231

Website:  http://www.gouldings.com/





In the 1920s, Harry and Leone (nicknamed Mike) settled in Monument Valley, opened a trading post and began exchanging food and sundries with the Navajo for their handcrafted jewelry, rugs and pottery.  The road through Monument Valley was the typical rutted dirt road traveled by horse drawn wagons, and the scenery in the area has changed little, except the main road (Route163) is paved now.  The Depression Era was a true hardship for this already desolate area, so in the 1930s Harry came up with a plan to bring more business into the area.  He went to Hollywood with photos of Monument Valley and sold his idea to director, John Ford.  Ford decided to film "Stagecoach" and the career of a young, unknown actor began his rise to stardom, John Wayne.  The building used in another film, "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" is still on site and is currently housing the John Wayne museum.


The Trading Post was also the home of the Gouldings; they resided upstairs while conducting business on the lower level.  After the movies filmed in the area became big hits on the screen, more and more travelers began visiting the area.  However there was really no where to stay; the Gouldings, however, provided accommodations as best they could, even if it was a simple tent.  Eventually the amount of tourists coming to the area necessitated the building of a separate facility...the Lodge.  The Trading Post is now a museum and the upstairs residence of the Gouldings has been preserved.

The lower level of the museum also holds displays of Native American history, and craftsmanship, of the local area; jewelry, rugs, clothing, pottery and ceremonial masks to name a few.

My personal experience with Goulding's Lodge is the Guided Tour of Monument Valley, and dining at the Stagecoach Dining Room which was written up on my food blog.











Now I'm going to give you a glance at how a guided tour from Goulding's begins.  After going to the main office and checking in, you'll get onto one of their many specialized buses.  The roads through Monument Valley are pretty much like those rutted roads the stagecoaches and wagons traveled over, just a bit more flattened down.  As I mentioned before, the landscape around Goulding's has not changed much; those sandstone walls catch and hold your eyes.

First stop is a visit to a Hogan, meet the "Grandmother", watch demonstrations and hear stories of Navajo traditions.  Besides seeing how corn has been ground down since ancient times, beautiful weaving is on the loom, and some ladies may even have their hair done up in a traditional style.  Before leaving, the Grandmother (whose name was Lucy), will gladly take a photo with you.

After that, the tour bus is on its way to Monument Valley itself; you'll be taking lots of photos and hoping your head doesn't spin off your neck as you try to take it all in.










If you take only one of the half day tours, re-energize by dining at the Stagecoach, then take a leisurely stroll through the museums, purchase items at the various shops, or simply relax.  Outside the Trading Post is a picnic area where there is a plaque dedicated to Harry and Leone Goulding, and you can enjoy looking out at Monument Valley.



Sentinel Mesa

Whether you're looking for a great guided tour of Monument Valley, a delicious meal at the Stagecoach Dining Room, groceries, souvenirs, camping facilities or lodging; make Gouldings your go-to place.

Mary Cokenour

Finally! The Grand Canyon's Southern Rim.

Roy and I made two trips to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, once by accident, the second time purposely after visiting Flagstaff. Now when it comes to the photos I'll be posting, you will notice that the weather has an effect on the outlook of the scenery. Some of the photos are from March 2010, a beautifully sunny day; air crisp and clean; winter's snow still on the ground, but finally beginning to melt. The other photos are from July 2011, a miserably stormy day; yet the cloud cover that had descended upon the Grand Canyon and down into its deepest crevices gave the scenery an air of mystery.   There will be a lot of photos, 34 and only 4 are of a map and informational boards; that's 34 out of almost 300!  Alright then, a map, and to Route 64 (East Rim Drive) from the Route 89 junction; while you can find many maps online, the brochure you receive at the entrance gate has the best one by far.

So, after passing Cameron on Route 89, make a right turn onto Route 64; it's a paved road, but not highly maintained.  You'll pass many a roadside pull-in filled with vendors selling Native American crafted wares.  At one point you will see a viewpoint area, park and walk to the very edge over sandstone rocks; there is fencing, but not all around the edges, so be careful of your footing.  Besides the amazing rock formations down below, the Little Colorado River can be seen winding its way through.

After paying your fee at the East entrance gate, you'll notice that most of the roadway goes through a well forested area; campsites here and there, but then you'll see the sign that really gets your attention, "Mountain Lion Crossing". As grand as the Grand Canyon is, you're in wilderness and that means wild animals. Anyway, the first viewing area will be the Desert View and the Watchtower is the focal point of this small area of shops. When we were there in March 2010, it was going through a facelift, so my photo reflects that. It's the view beyond the Watchtower that will take your breath away; after this, just keep following the map and enjoy the adventure!

Desert View

Cedar Mountain

Navajo Point



Cardenas Butte
 

Lipan Point

Moran Point

Getting nearer to Grandview Point, you'll spy Sinking Ship; it's in the upper right section of the photo.






Grandview Point

Grandview Point is just that, the ultimate grand view of the Grand Canyon's South Rim.  Horseshoe Mesa is dominant in the forefront of the scenery; while the Colorado River can be seen in the background still carving the canyon ever deeper and wider.

Horseshoe Mesa

Colorado River

Local residents are quite happy to answer any questions you have about the area; that is if you can speak "raven". 












Yaki Point

Forefront is O'Neill Butte and Cedar Ridge

Westward view is Cheops Pyramid, Isis Temple, Shiva Temple

Mather Point - Just before you get to Mather Point, you have the option of making a left turn onto Route 64 to exit the park; otherwise stay on Desert View Drive which will turn into a loop.  The Grand Canyon Visitors Center is just past Mather Point.

Yavapai Point - Continuing on the loop road will eventually bring you to Grand Canyon Village which has a supermarket, restaurants, gifts shops, hotel and much more.  The end of the loop will bring you once again to Route 64 where you can exit to go towards Flagstaff, or return to Desert View Drive for another look at the South Rim all the way to the East Rim Drive and back to Route 89.

Now I'm going to post photos simply for the effects the weather has on the landscaping.

The next adventure to the Grand Canyon will be to the North Rim; probably when the weather begins to warm up again, so not until spring or summer of 2014.

Mary Cokenour