Hello all,
On our way out of beautiful Colorado we visted the four corners site. This is the spot where Utah, Arizona, Colorado and new mexico meet.. Was a strange feeling knowing you could stand in all four states at one time. After so photo taking we headed forward into Utah.

For all you movie buffs, we stopped at the exact point where forest gump finished his cross country run to go home. We did some running along the road avoiding being hit by cars.

We were meant to be doing an open top jeep ride however when we arrived in monument valley there was very strog sandstorm winds and rain was also moving in. So being the wimps we are we opted for a van ride with carlos a local navajo Indian. We saw the visitors centre and took some pictures by the main monument valley view. I can't really describe the size of the monuments, here were amazing and the red clay stone made them look even better. After a few hours of site seeing Carlos took us to the back part of the valley. This area is normally closed to the public, in order to go to the Navajo Indians land you have to be invited by the Indians. As we were invited we not only got to see more of the monument but we were invited for dinner and to stay in a native hogan hut. When we arrIved at the site there was a few Indians and a big fire. We were served dinner which was called Navajo tacos. Which was fry bread with chillie salad and a steak. We were all very hungry so it was lovely.

We then moved around the camp fire where Carlos told us Indian stories ofhow stars are formed and how animals got their characteristics. They were amazing and I wish our tales where as interesting. After this another indian came and joined he was in his ceremonial clothes which where lots on coloured tassels made to reflect the movement of the grass, he did some native dancing which was amazing. They then asked so for some volunteers... Of course Ben and I got up. They made us raise our hands and say:
boys: I am your warrior and I promise to hunt for you.
Girls: I will do everything you ask of me
I am not sure the Navajo where aware of mine and bens relationship but I crossed my fingers on my section hehe. We then had to do some crazy dancing, during this we were surrounded but a lightning storm and it was rather scary. As if by magic when the dancing stopped the rain came... And it didn't stop we could hardly see our way to the place we were sleeping.

The Navajo let us sleep in one of their ceremonial buildings called a hogan. It is a small hut made from wood with mud tightly packed around the outside. All 14 of us snuggled down together in the sand hoping that there was no scorpions in the hut. We were warm and comfortable but the snoring and coughing andthe sound of wild horses made for a restless night.

After a few hours sleep we were woken by Carlos at 6:30am so we could start the jeep tour that we were meant to do the day before, but first we all climbed some rock ( We went pretty high) to watch a gorgeous sun rise over the valley, it really was worth the early start. Silence fell over the valley as we all watched the sun light up the shadows of the tall rocks. It is an experience we will never forget.

The jeep ride took us all round the valley to see the rock formations and hear the stories behind them. The guys even rolled down some sand dunes. The Navajos have such vision for their landscape they see animals and history in every rock, they open your eyes to a new way of thinking. We were glad to have Carlos with us,and on the way back we saw why the indians are picky about who they let in, there was a big rangrover in a lake up to it's roof with a well dressed couple looking rather soggy next to it. I think they thought their car was a bit more hardcore than it actually was.

We left monument valley behind us a bit cold and damp but all blown away by the natural beauty that is country has to offer.

From monument valley with love

Nikki , Ben and the Navajo Indians x