Sunday, May 30, 2010

Navajo and Hopi Indian Reservations and on to Hilo HI

Scroll down to see our photos.
































Here we are at the beautiful and historic Monument Valley just out of Kayenta where we stayed the night after leaving Page.





Along the way to Window Rock we picked up Justin - half Navajo Indian half Mexican jewelry maker - who was hitchhiking to Chinle where he hoped to sell some of his work. He'd already walked a mile and half across the desert from his home to the highway.






The first thing we saw when we pulled into Chinle was a group of wild horses ambling through town on the way to the river for water.





Bev fed and watered this poor skinny dog who lives in the car park at the Canyon de Chelly Visitors' Center just outside of Chinle.






Another group of wild horses resting in the shade near the Canyon de Chelly Visitors' Center.






View of the ruins in Canyon de Chelly.






And here is a view of the valley in the canyon.






Heading towards Window Rock we were warned of a traffic hazard.




On the way to Flagstaff we found the longest map of Route 66. This was at what had to be one of the original establishments along Route 66 which has been bypassed by the motorway.






Bits of pertrified wood in front of the shop.






More petrified wood surrounding a little desert garden.





The motel we stayed at in Flagstaff was right on the corner of this major intersection. Funnily enough, it wasn't that noisy even with the trains going past.





After 3 planes and 10 hours and much confusion we arrived in Hilo to be serenaded by these tree frogs who live in the ferns outside our balcony. We thought they were birds tweeting even though it was after 9:30 pm.







In the morning we were lucky enough to get a good picture of Kermit. Here he is showing the skin flap under his chin that he inflates to make his whistle.






Here's Beth stocking up on smokes in this amazing tobacconist shop in downtown Hilo.





Here we are spending up large at the Hilo Farmers Market. We bought an avocado the size of a grapefruit and the sweetest tasting apple bananas.






At dinner at Uncle Billy's we were treated to hula dancing and Hawaiian music.




Next day we attended an intertribal powwow being held at a park nearby. It was a special treat because it wasn't a tourist attraction. These people had gathered from all over the western US for their own enjoyment and made visitors welcome.

Following is a collage of photos from the morning.





































That's Bev waving from the water at Coconut Island where we went for a swim in the afternoon.






And that's Beth waving.


This will be the last post until we get home. Having a problem with internet access.

We plan to see the volcano tomorrow and drive up the coast to view waterfalls the next day, then it's packing up to go home.

See you soon,
Beth and Bev