Another Poetic Look At Arizona's Monument Valley

The photo is from back in the middle 1990s. The group you see, with Monument Valley's Mittens behind them, and myself, the photographer, had been houseboating on Lake Powell, driving down the Moki Dugway after the houseboating, then overnighting at the San Juan Inn in Mexican Hat, in Utah, across the border from Arizona and the Navajo Nation.

It is a short drive from Mexican Hat, south across the San Juan River, to Monument Valley.

Monument Valley is one of America's most unique, most famous, most photographed, most scenic locations.

The following poetic description of Monument Valley accurately verbalizes what is so special about this location. This poetic description was found on Facebook, written by someone named Odessa Wild...

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Monument Valley in Arizona is a place where nature’s artistry is on full display. As the golden sunshine spills across the endless desert floor, the towering sandstone buttes cast long, dramatic shadows that dance with the changing light. The rich reds and oranges of the earth seem to glow from within, illuminated by the warmth of the sun. It's a landscape that feels both timeless and alive, as if the very rocks are breathing in the light of the day.

As the sun rises or sets over Monument Valley, the scene becomes even more surreal. The sky, painted in soft pastels or fiery hues, stretches wide and endless above the ancient formations. The famous Mittens and Merrick Butte stand tall and proud, guardians of a land that has witnessed millions of years of history. Every ray of sunshine seems to tell a story — of ancient rivers, wind-sculpted cliffs, and the enduring spirit of the Navajo Nation that calls this land home.

There is a peaceful majesty in Monument Valley that the sunshine enhances beautifully. The quietness of the desert, interrupted only by the occasional breeze or the distant cry of a hawk, invites a deep sense of reflection. Under the bright Arizona sun, the heart of the valley pulses with warmth, strength, and a kind of sacred serenity that stays with every traveler long after they have left.