Monument Valley

This has probably been one of my favorite spots to explore since I being out in Arizona - and a large part of that is due to the adventure I had within this adventure! My day started as I left Chinle again a bit later than I had wanted to* but the drive up to Monument Valley was a short and easy one. There was however a dust storm that started brewing that I got wrapped up in - I do not have any photos as I was solely focused on trying ro see the road in front of me. The storm ended up clearing a bit before I got there and so I headed into the Gift Shop to kill some time and to wait the impending rain/dust storm out!

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Upon walking up to the gift shop - I paused a bit to take in the view! Prior to arriving, I was unsure how exactly Monument Valley worked. PSA for those who were like me; it's a 17mile long unpaved scenic drive during which there are multiple stops and overlooks! The epitome of my favorite type of traveling quite frankly! The photo above is the view from the Visitor Center so you can understand why I hesitated and took moment for myself. You can even see the beginnng stretch of the incoming scenic drive!

That moment I took for myself changed my entire day though - and for the better! Shout out to my new friend Janine (a Kiwi also traveling the States alone) for asking me to take a photo of her in front of the view above! Of course I said yes, so long as she agreed to return the favor. It was then that we realized we both had the exact same cameras! So we got to chatting about cameras, where she was from, the sand storm we both witnessed, and the impending rain that was being called for. I asked if she had completed the drive yet and if she still planned on going - when she said she was just about to start it was SHE who suggested we carpool in case we get caught on that dirt road in the rain. I would like to say I hesitated to get into a car with a stranger but (*I am sorry mom and dad*); I did not!

And let me just say that it was one of the funnest decisions I had ever made while traveling alone! Granted at this point; being the United States local - I probably should have volunteered to drive because the Whiper Blades vs Blinker debacle we had whilst on this scenic route must have been comical for anyone watching us drive! Not to mention the fact that all the bumps in the dirt road had the rear view mirror of this rental car just falling off periodically! Regardless of it all; it provided endless amounts of laugher betweeen the two of us! Plus the number of times we'd just stop and get out of her car on the road and one of us would be like "This is a shot" and take photos of each other - it was honestly just so enjoyable! Traveling with another person who is passionate about photography is always so much fun; and something I have not had the pleasure of doing in some time! Even simply just sharing in someone's company; it made this entire experience so much better!

The drive itself was absolutely fantastic though - but with scenery that looks like that it would not have matter anyways!! See the gallery below for some of my favorite shots! :)

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Once we survived the sprinkle of rain, the dirt roads, and made it back to the Visitor Center ; we were preparing to part ways when we both got to talking about where we were heading next! Oddly enough, we were both headed to Forrest Gump Point! Her phone had poor signal in the Valley so I said she should just follow me there and we could go together! So we did!

This viewpoint is only about twenty minutes outside the Valley (if that actually) and its so much smaller than I expected! There were all these signs to look out for pedestrians and such (for obvious reason) but then the pull off area on the side of the road really only held about three or so cars! I kind of expected a bit more space set aside for the attraction!

When we both got there we took our photos, and Janine put on her running shoes to make reenactment video, and we even met a lovely couple who was also taking photos! Again we got to chatting, and they asked Janine and I if we were related! And let me just say; the shock on their faces when we not only told them no we were not related, but also that we had only just met each other a few hours ago at the gift shop; was priceless! It just goes to show how easy it was for Janine and I to become friends and just enjoy each others company! Frankly it still seems so sureal that my day changes as much as it did with one encounter!

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Believe it or not - but when we went to part ways from Forrest Gump Point we found we were once again headed the same direction! So we both drove another hour and change over to The Four Corners Monument! I will be completely honest and say I was very disappointed with this visit! Obviously I do not regret going as it checked a destination off my AZ Bucket List. But somehow in my mind I thought it would be so much more. And to say this place is in the middle of NOWHERE would be offensive to Nowhere!

Know that I went and sat directly on the spot below and did a crabwalk like position too and those photos were not great and therefore are not being shared! But I did go and I was in four places at once!

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As I said this had to be one of the best times I have had exploring out in AZ and its all because I did not have to do it alone. Nobody talks about how hard and lonely solo travel can be - so to find a kindered spirit to share the expertise with truly made all the difference!

Janine - thank you so much for putting yourself out there and suggesting two strangers get into a car together! Our new friendship makes me so happy and I cannot wait to see where you go on all of your next adventures!

Until our paths cross again my friend! :)