By now you probably realize that the Navajo Nation and all its wonder had been permanently etched into my brain since childhood. So it probably won't come as too much of a surprise when you find out that the Four Corners region amazed me at the ripe old age of about 4 or 5 years old.
My parents had bought me a puzzle of the United States. Each state was its own piece; not difficult for a 4 year old. But I really thought the puzzle designers had gone too far in creating a puzzle easy enough for a child when they made Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah all fit so nicely together at the "plus sign" in the center. After fitting all the states together, I realized that this really was where those 4 states met and I wondered if the grown-ups realized this?
I was totally fascinated by this puzzle and by this one section of it. Maybe that's why I'm so good at geography today? Anyway, putting aside younster's toys for grown children toys such as the World Book, I discovered to my absolute amazement that the area that so fascinated me as a child was EXACTLY where the Navajo and Monument Valley spent their time. I was hooked. It was all coming together so neatly for me. One-stop shopping.
Of course, until I finally got to see it for myself today, I had no idea as to WHY the surveyors decided to package these states so neatly. I can answer that now, very simply... because there is absolutely NOTHING there! Nada. Dark gray and black mountains made out of cinder-looking material. Maybe an ancient volcano? No towns to have to survey around; no one to claim rights for this state or the next. A very simple, neat line north-south; another simple line east-west. And to think that we Americans are so fascinated with this survey mark that we pay the Navajo just to see it!
Leaving our motel at Tsegi Canyon, driving east along Route 160, we pass through the town of Kayenta where I finally buy a Monument Valley T-shirt at the Holiday Inn. We smile and wave to our "captain" and cross over Route 163. We are on our way to Four Corners, USA. The ONLY place where 4 states meet at a single point. The place of my puzzle pieces of long ago. Along Route 160 are several rock formations. One Corey spotted from miles away and declared it looked like Clifford (the big red dog) lying down. She took quite a few pictures of it and later we discovered it's name is "Baby Rocks" but we have no idea why. Maybe because up-close the part that forms Clifford's nose is really individual rocks which may look like a group of babies standing up in a playground? Maybe.
Eventually we reach the town of Teec Nos Pos where we find a nice shop to visit. I finally, now at the end of my stay in Navajoland, am buying the pottery I'd hoped to buy earlier on. The Navajo pottery that I like is red clay which the Navajo buy already shaped. They do the etching and painting, each depicting a different facet of life on the reservation. Although I had already bought 2 framed sandpaintings while at the Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, I always look to see if I'd like to add to my collection. So far this trip, I know I made the right choice by buying them when and where I did.
Just beyond Teec Nos Pos, a sign proudly states: "Four Corners Indian Market." We turn left at the sign and proceed to the booth where we pay, I believe, $10 to get in. At some point we passed a sign welcoming us to New Mexico. I guess this makes sense now that I force myself to think about it. We probably were in New Mexico for, oh, about 3 seconds already before seeing the sign. Up ahead is a platform with a railing around it. Off to the left of the platform, from my vantage point, is a wooden platform built to overlook the concrete platform. I realize that this is a photography platform from which to photograph one's loved ones in their pursuit of being in 4 states at once. Along the Arizona and Utah parts of Four Corners are booths of Indian vendors. How they can stand the heat on a daily basis I don't know. But I was very disappointed in the wares they had for sale; it seemed as if everyone there was selling beaded and/or silver-turquoise jewelry. Not much diversity. I did buy 2 T-shirts: one for Michael and a matching one for me albeit much larger.
Corey and I took turns standing on the medalion that made up the exact spot where the 4 states meet. We also took turns standing on the platform overlook taking pictures and videos of each other. Because there's really not much to see there and the sun was so hot we decided to spend "only" about an hour and then we headed north, still on Route 160 toward Cortez, CO. Along the way, we passed the Ute Mountain Ute Casino. I've heard that some of the Navajo Nation would like to have their own casino, but I for one, with no voting rights, would hope that this idea doesn't pass. I think it would destroy the natural beauty of these wonderful people. I think it would also help destroy their ancient belief system... walk in beauty.
The drive to Cortez is longer than it looks on the map. We pass more rock formations and follow what seems to be an ancient volcano on the western edge. Along the eastern edge, later to be the southern boundary of Cortez is what I come to know later as Mesa Verde. But it's not green at all. Maybe it's the years of drought, but it sure looks black to me. I also find out that Cliff Palace (Anasazi ruins in Mesa Verde) is closed to the public due to the extreme fire danger. We can, however, drive to Far View and board a bus to Spruce Tree. It would be a 9 to 12 mile uphill, switchback road just to get to Far View to board a bus. No thanks, I'll pass. Not after the roads I've been on lately and the car running hot.
Cortez is a cute little town in southwest Colorado. Partly Indian and partly cowboy, the buildings are long and low and stores seem to all carry the same merchandise. One thing is definitely different, though. Cortez is home to the BEST Chinese food I've ever had. Called the Hong Kong restaurant, it's a small turquoise-colored building near where Route 160 turns south toward Four Corners. In addition to the food being the BEST ever, the prices are quite reasonable. Kudos to the Hong Kong of Cortez, CO.
