Road tripping USA 2023

What a freaking amazing day we have had today. Thanks to Bryd and Tommy, a dream of riding a horse through Monument Valley came true today.

But before we go into this, we will start at the beginning.

I woke a few times last night and when I woke at around midnight I looked outside and saw that it was snowing. I woke again at 2.00am and it was still snowing. I thought I would wake Dave to let him know but thought better as he would be outside looking at it and wouldn’t go back to sleep.

We woke around 6.30am or should I say Dave did and in turn I was awake 😂 and looked outside to the valley covered in a blanket of crisp white snow. Our balcony also had enough snow on it to make a small snowman. We tried to make eyes on it with M&M’s but they wouldn’t stick.

We lazed around for a while enjoying breakfast and getting ready before heading to the stables for our horse ride. Sacred Monument Tours was a short 5 minute drive from the hotel.

We got there about half an hour early as requested but as we had riding experience we set off about 15 mins early. I was a tad embarrassed as I couldn’t lift myself into the saddle. Ever since I hurt my lower back really bad a few years ago, I haven’t got any strength in my lower back or legs. I have trouble now getting up off the floor - could never be old age. So Winton gave me a step that I could use - embarrassing!

My horse was Willy and Dave’s was Gossip (one of only 2 female horses they use). Though the horses are fit in the summer, they don’t get out on tours much in the winter so Willy was a little fat and unfit (aren’t we all) and didn’t like to go very fast. That was until he knew I was taking a photo and he would decide to trot or if there was a hill to go up he would gallop!

During the ride, Winton was very informative about how the mesas and buttes got their names, how 2 brothers were killed by Grey Whiskers over the turquoise in the rocks. He explained how they use the juniper tree for air freshener and the plant leaves are used to make Navajo tea which is also good for strep throat. The Yucca bush is used to make their soap and shampoo.

Winton also explained that the trail we were on is the trail John Wayne took in one of his movies, The Searchers. He also told us how Metallica made a music video on top of one of the mesas and all the names of movies that have been made there.

We rode around the valley floor for 2 hours and on the way back up out of the valley he asked if we wanted to gallop straight up the hill and jump some rock ledges or walk up the switch backs. We opted for the gallop and I don’t think you could wipe the smile off my face, it was bloody amazing.

We got back to the hotel about 1.15pm and had some lunch and looked back on all the photos. Later in the afternoon, as today is our last day here, we took one last walk around taking in the amazing views and sat out on the back deck watching the sunset.

This has been a truly amazing part of our holiday. I couldn’t have asked for anything better to help me celebrate turning half a century.

If you love the outback and the Navajo culture, then this is the place for you to visit. Many people come here for just one night, we have spent 4 nights here and really don’t want to leave!

Onwards to Moab tomorrow for 5 nights taking in all the national parks have to offer there.Read more