I Like Big Buttes

The "Mitten" Buttes

Near the Arizona/Utah border, deep in the heart of Navajo Nation, sits the magnificent area known as Monument Valley. This region is famous for its sandstone buttes that emerge abruptly from the desert landscape. Well known in many western movie settings, this majestic place is breathtakingly beautiful.

As we approached the park, we attempted to get the kids excited about this stop. No rides. No games. No activities. Just cool landscapes to look at. 

"Hey kids, we're going to Monument Valley."
"Will there be monuments? Like the Arch?"
"Not exactly.... just some cool rocks and buttes."
"What's a byoot?"
"It's like a small mountain that rises straight up out of the ground."
"Oh."
"It's spelled b-u-t-t-e"
"Like butt?"
"I guess."
"Yay! We're going to go look at butts!"

At least they were excited.

A tour through the visitor center showed us some Navajo art work and an insight into Native American lifestyle. We learned the names of the rock formations in the area, and bought some Navajo souvenirs. On the way back to the car, the girls discovered that there was hard packed sand covering the ground. A giant sandbox essentially. They were set. Geology be damned, there was sand to play in.