We are going to start our tour in the southeastern area. The state lines of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet at a single point in the desert on the Navajo Indian Reservation.

Monument Valley is an area of free standing sandstone rock forms that rise majestically from the desert floor. Up to 1,000 feet tall, they create a truly magical desert landscape. Monument Valley is located along the Utah/Arizona border.

These formations are called Mittens

The Valley of the Gods

The moon shines brightly in the upper right.

One of the seven natural wonders of the world, Rainbow Bridge National Monument is a natural bridge rising from the stream bed below. It is large enough to span the Statue of Liberty or the US Capitol. It can be reached by boat tours via Lake Powell or by trail from Navajo Mountain Trading Post.

This sculpture is carved of solid sandstone, and is the world's largest natural-rock span — 278 feet wide and 309 feet high.

"... a curious ensemble of wonderful features - carved walls, royal arches, glens, alcove gulches, mounds and monuments.... We decided to call it Glen Canyon." - John Wesley Powell, 1869.

Scientific expeditions brought John Wesley Powell down the Colorado River in 1869. Lake Powell was created when the Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1964.

Lake Powell is 186 miles long. Its bright turquoise to deep blue water is surrounded by a colorful landscape of buttes, peaks and canyons.

The ancient Pueblo people are the focus at Hovenweep. Six groups of ruins comprise the Monument which is most noted for its towers.

The Tower group is located near the visitor center and is the most impressive group. Several short trails take you to the various sites in the Tower Group.

Hovenweep Castle

The Chevy is now taking us slightly north, where we find Capitol Reef National Park.

Autumn - Capitol Reef National Park

Layered cliffs are found throughout the park

Hickman Bridge

Anyone for a hike through this lovely area?

Chimney Rock