Travel Guide to the Four Corners Monument.

 4 Corners Monument

  

Four Corners Monument is the only place in the United States where four states intersect: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. You can stand on that spot and truly be in four states at one time. 

·         Location from Monticello is either 99.2 miles from Monticello going via Hwy 491 through Colorado; or 90.9 miles going via Hwy 191 through southern San Juan County, UT.

                               Via Hwy 491                                        

   

 Via Hwy 191

Hours of Operation

The Four Corners Monument Visitor Center is open year-round, playing host to a variety of Navajo cultural demonstrations, as well as vendors selling handmade Navajo jewelry, crafts and food.

Open daily. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

* October 1 to March 31: 8 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

* April 1 to April 30: 8 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

* May 1 to Thursday of Memorial Weekend: 8 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.

* Friday of Memorial Weekend to Aug 15: 8 a.m. - 7:45 p.m.

* Aug 16 to Sept 30: 8 a.m - -6:45 p.m.

Park Entrance Fees

 Pay in cash at the gate. (The nearest ATM is five miles away in Cortez, CO.)

Adults: $5/day

Children (6 and under): Free

·         Camping: Not Allowed

·         Pets: Not Allowed

For More Information

Four Corners Monument Office

PO Box 861

Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514

Phone: (928) 206-2540

If you have not tried Navajo Fry Bread yet, this would be a great chance to do it now.  You simply cannot go home without experiencing this culinary treat of the Southwest.

Mary Cokenour 

Celebrating 50 Years with Stan Bronson.

Saturday, July 2^nd, 6pm, people walking into San Juan High School, solos; couples young and old; carrying young children; helping older folks with walking canes or wheelchairs.  Tickets are purchased, greetings heralded between friends and family members; this social event is definitely a joyful occasion.

7pm, seats have been found;  happy chattering between rows…the lights of the auditorium dim and a voice is heard from behind the stage.  “Here I lay, at night, watching the stars on fire...” and out strolls Stan Bronson, singing the title song from his first album, “Down From the Mountain”.  The audience erupts with hoots, hollers and hand clapping; Stan Bronson is a much loved son of San Juan County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now as Stan explained it, this was the 50^th anniversary of the album being recorded and sold to the masses.  However, it was actually in 1965, a 51^st anniversary of his first concert at San Juan High; 1200 audience members, including Albert R. Lyman himself.  Stan's aunt, Cleone Bronson Cooper, offered to pay recording expenses if he would record his folk songs "for the sake of history"; smart woman!  Now while I could recap Stan’s entire history in this article; a great write up already exists at his website: http://worldmusicplace.sharepoint.com/Pages/AboutStan.aspx or http://www.stanbronson.com

Stan Still Has the Original Hat from the Album Cover Photo

In between lyrics, or between songs, Stan would give joking comments and the audience would wholeheartedly laugh.  He reminded us of the stories behind the lyrics; events that actually took place in San Juan’s historic past, or slightly embellished.  For the song, “Posey”, two women and a young child, from White Mesa, came up on stage to sing with Stan.  The oldest of the women was the granddaughter of Posey himself!  With many songs, the audience sang along; sometimes tears were wiped from eyes as the words hit the heart.  I must admit, I’ve listened to Stan’s albums, love the songs, and wiped a few tears myself as I knew the stories well from my travel blog research.  Strange coming from a woman who believes that listening to heavy metal music is relaxing.  Requests were asked for, and I gladly yelled out, “Cowboys, Indians and Mormons” which he played, along with “Navajo Eyes”, “The Hunter” and a few more.

 

 

Posey's Granddaughter - Woman in Green Shirt

 

Stan played to all sides of the auditorium; you would swear that he looked directly into your eyes and he was singing a song just for you.  He admitted that the stage lighting was keeping him from seeing the audience well, but you would never have known it.  His eyes are piercing, but there is a gentle, kind, sweet soul emanating from them.  As Blanding resident, Terry Hatfield, told me later on, “He was that even in school, even though I was an underclassman and he was in high school, he knew my name and always said hello when we met. Just an all-around nice guy.”  My good friend, Amy Watkins Kensley, introduced me to Stan’s music by giving me a great present, the double album “Songs of Old San Juan” (Down From the Mountain/Cowboys, Indians and Mormons). 

 

 

Near the end of the concert, Stan talked about his friends and their high school band; he asked for the lights to be turned up and walked down the stairs to be closer with the audience.  Switching to the same guitar he used in this band, Elvis Presley songs were then played, and everyone roared with pleasure, especially the women.

Afterwards was the meet and greet; CDs purchased were autographed by Stan; I even got one of his handkerchiefs autographed…going to frame this for sure!  Photos were taken, hugs; it was great…sorry Bruce Springsteen, you’ve got nothing on Stan Bronson.  Totally a most awesome night of music, storytelling and overall enjoyment.

Amy Watkins Kensley with Stan Bronson

Me with Stan Bronson

 

By the way, I did film some of the concert; not all as, well, my arms were getting tired from holding up the camera.  I am very happy I didn’t film it all; the up close and personal sensation of watching, and listening to, Stan was a deeper impact than experiencing it through video.  If you want to see his performance of “Blue Mountain” though, go to his link: https://youtu.be/EHOJXXMZtiA

 

 

 Mary Cokenour

 

Native Beauty of Cedar Mesa Pottery.

Cedar Mesa Pottery

333 South Main (Route 191)

Blanding, Utah, 84511

Phone: (435) 678-2241

            (800) 235-7687

Website: http://www.cmpottery.com/

Hours of Operation:  Monday thru Friday; 8am to 5pm

 



Joe B. Lyman, Owner

 

Warning!  When entering Cedar Mesa Pottery, via the gift shop, be prepared for a visual assault of the most beautiful Native American pottery collections.  Alright, now that you have been fully warned, let’s take the tour.  Cedar Mesa Pottery is located in Blanding, Utah with its beginning around 1981; owned and operated by local, Joe Lyman.  The work of his crafts people enable the factory to present to the world both Navajo and Ute artistry.  The glass and wooden display cases hold unique pieces signed by each artist; collective pieces so skillfully done that your fingers itch to touch.  Distinctive grey and black pieces containing true horse hair (a personal favorite); ceramics that resemble authentic etched wood; mesmerizing colors; striking designs based on themes.

 

 

 

 

 

The tour of the factory first brings you to the “closeouts and seconds” section; lovely pieces that simply did not make the cut through quality control.  Packing and Shipping comes next; aisles of plastic wrapped pottery ready to be picked, packaged and shipped to shops, trading posts, residential homes; even San Juan County’s own Welcome Centers carry Cedar Mesa Pottery.  All pieces are available at wholesale and retail pricing; opening an account is quick and easy.

Packing

 

Follow the Footprints.

Casting.

All visitors to the factory are encouraged to take a map and descriptive guide which explains the various processes of pottery making.  Cedar Mesa uses a perfected mixture of clays from New York, California, Tennessee and Texas which is called “slip”.  The slip is poured into various molds until the correct thickness is reached; the balance is poured out and recycled.  The Kilns come next; pieces are fired within gas kilns at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, for three to five hours.  Sealing is a cooling off period of several hours to ensure the pieces do not crack or warp.  After a twenty-four hour waiting period, the pieces have any excess clay removed carefully with sponges; the pieces are now ready to meet their individual artists.

 

 

 

 

Kilns and Sealing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleaning.

Watching the artisans is fascinating; how each one can paint and/or etch each piece quickly, yet so skillfully.  Animal figures emerge: deer, elk, moose, bear, eagle, buffalo, raven and wolf (again, a personal favorite).  Themes vary from natural settings (forest, desert) to monumental locations (Monument Valley, Mount Rushmore, Devil’s Tower); petroglyphic designs; and the famous “End of the Trail” featuring the lone brave on his horse.

 

By the end of the tour, you will very likely have a shopping list in your mind.  Back inside the gift shop, there will be so much more to tempt you; candles, dream catchers, Kachina dolls; and the t-shirt collector has not been forgotten either.   Definitely, if visiting San Juan County, stop into Blanding, visit Cedar Mesa Pottery, and take the factory tour; you will be amazed!

 

Mary Cokenour

 

 

Monument Valley's Moving Shadows.

One of many annoying questions I get about San Juan County is, "What time of day is best for a perfect picture of....?" No matter what time of day a park, historical site, canyons, valleys, yada, yada, yada, is visited is a perfect time of day...period. If you need a "perfect" photo, then be a professional, go online and do your research. 'Nuff said.

This September, we were in Monument Valley, three times, visiting with our school teacher friend, Amy.  On two occasions, the main purpose was to photograph the shadow of the West Mitten upon the East Mitten which only occurs on the Spring and Fall Solstices.  Our timing of the Fall Solstice sucked big time as no one could agree on exactly what day it fell on for 2015.  I always knew it to be on September 21st, but this year is was "moved" to September 23rd; how do you move a Solstice?  Anyway, due to our work schedules, we went when possible, and missed the actual day itself down in Monument Valley; but we were close!

So, did we miss out on the "perfect" photo?  NO!  You see, the perfect photo is to the eye of the beholder.  Perhaps many folks believe my photography is horrible; while others go completely gaga over it. 

September 6th; heading down to Monument Valley to have dinner with Amy and see her new apartment she just moved into.  We try and stop at the Mexican Hat formation when the weather is different; the background of the Great Serpent changes colors.  When we finally left to return home, the sun was beginning to set; I was able to catch the wonderful colors of the sky (pink, blue, yellow, orange and purple) over Monument Valley.

Mexican Hat on a Sunny Afternoon.

Monument Valley at Sunset.

September 13th - Amy called us and said, "Get down here, I've been told the movement of the shadow is today?"; and down we went to the Valley once again.  At the MV Visitors Center, there is the spectacular, classic view of the two Mittens and Merrick Butte.  I also noticed that the 17 mile loop road through the Valley had been totally repaired; still all dirt, but now fully graded and ruts filled in.  RVs, motorcycles, passenger cars and 4 wheel drive vehicles could maneuver the road without problems. 

Alas, the shadow movement of the West Mitten onto the East was not to be.  We waited in anticipation, only to see the entire Valley go into shadow.  We were meeting our friend, Cody, at Goulding's Stagecoach Dining Room to enjoy a delicious meal of Navajo specialties.

Elephant and Camel Buttes

Elephant and Camel Buttes



Mary and Amy

Mitchell Butte

The Mittens and Merrick Butte

Monument Valley Panorama



The Mittens and Merrick Butte



The Mittens through, what the children call, the "Butt Crack".




















September 19th - We return, hoping beyond hope, that we will get the much sort after shot of the Mitten Shadow.  We were at the Visitors Center at 5:00pm to browse the gift shop, but at 5:30pm we made sure to get a spot along the wall outside.  As the time progressed, more and more visitors began setting up camera equipment; the balcony at The View restaurant was packed.  I managed to take photos at 4 to 5 minute intervals to document the entire travel of the West Mitten's shadow as it crept towards the East Mitten.

At 6:31, the shadow was almost completely onto the East Mitten when suddenly the entire Valley became shadowed.  There were many shouts of, "Where did it go!?!", "What happened!?!, "What the...!?!"; not just from Amy, Roy and myself, but most of the people who were photographing the event.  Looking westward, we could just make out the very top of the sun as it peeked from behind a mesa; within 15 minutes it was gone and darkness had fallen over Monument Valley. 

Well, there is always the Spring Solstice to look forward to; and, of course, our delicious dinners at Goulding's Stagecoach Dining Room.

Mexican Hat, a Sunny Late Afternoon.

Monument Valley around 5pm.



Castle Butte

Castle Butte



Elephant Butte

Merrick Butte



Monument Valley Panorama

The Classic Shot - The Mittens and Merrick Butte



The Story of how Monument Valley was Named.



My husband, Roy.

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..and now the show, "The Creeping of the Shadow".

As the sun begins its descent into the Western sky, the West Mitten will begin casting a shadow that will slowly creep towards, and onto, the East Mitten.

West Mitten

East Mitten

6:01pm

 

 

 

6:31pm

 

Suddenly, as we waited for the shadow to center itself, it disappeared, and Monument Valley was in full shadow.

...and the moon began to shine brightly in the night sky.

It was an incredible experience watching the shadow creep upon the Valley floor; the sky changing colors from blue to pink and purple; then suddenly night.

So, when's the best time to take a perfect photo in Monument Valley...anytime!

Mary Cokenour