These pictures are from Canyon De Chelly National Monument, part of our recent roadtrip to the Four Corners area. (Shared with the blogging community at SKYWATCH FRIDAY.)
Spider Rock, Canyon De Chelly, Navajo Nation
Geologists say that formation of this 800 foot tall red sandstone monolith began 230 million years ago. Dine' (Navajo) legend says that it was the home of Spider Woman, one of their Deities.
Spider Woman possessed supernatural powers and protected the people. She also taught them the art of weaving. Her web stretched between these spires.
For many years, ancestors of today's Navajo people lived in caves and sandstone dwellings within the canyons that now comprise this national monument.
This is the White House, one of the ruins that we visited.
WOW! If there was any doubt that I need to get to this place, you just erased it! So beautiful...
Posted by: pat | July 09, 2012 at 01:05 PM
Beautiful, Sallie. How fab that you had good weather for this trip, too! Nothing like blue sky to contrast the red stone.
Posted by: Francisca | July 04, 2012 at 06:51 AM
oh i LOVE this...what an awesome sight to see. i can hardly wait to retire and be able to hit the road and SEE all the beautiful places in this country!!
Posted by: laura k | July 02, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Looks like an amazing place where survival was a challenge.
Posted by: Sandy Carlson (USA) | July 01, 2012 at 07:14 PM
I love these photos! I visited Canyon De Chelly in 2001, and was really impressed by it, such a beautiful, and unusual place.
Posted by: Inger-M | June 30, 2012 at 03:49 PM
a part of the country I would love to see
Posted by: Rambling Woods | June 30, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Wonderful shots - I really want to visit that part of the state. Thanks for your kind thoughts, they are appreciated.
Posted by: Al | June 30, 2012 at 07:53 AM
What a great place. I'd love to see it for real!
Cheers - Stewart M
PS: there's a new post on my wordy blog it you have the time to pop over!
Posted by: Stewart M - Australia | June 30, 2012 at 04:44 AM
fabulous photos, it is such an amazing part of the world to visit, thanks for sharing
Posted by: Pearl Maple | June 30, 2012 at 02:14 AM
what dramatic scenery!
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | June 30, 2012 at 12:51 AM
Very interesting post. There are so many places in this country I have never heard of. Thanks for removing one more unknown from my list.
Posted by: Rita aka Cashjocky | June 29, 2012 at 11:51 PM
Oh so pretty, Sallie!
Posted by: Sally in WA | June 29, 2012 at 08:14 PM
Sallie, this is another place I have longed to experience and connect to the land. There is something about the Navaho that draws me like a magnet. Permanent heart failure is not something I would wish on anyone, it is so restrictive and means not being able to travel by commercial airliner.
I am so glad I can see these wonders on your blog.
Posted by: Arija | June 29, 2012 at 06:07 PM
There is another White House out in the wild.
Posted by: Rainfield | June 29, 2012 at 05:34 PM
Simply beautiful tale of Spider Woman. I love hearing old Indian legends.
I don't suppose their White House had air conditioning.
Posted by: Pam | June 29, 2012 at 03:49 PM
Hi Sallie, what a pretty day. The sky looks beautiful. Perfect day to be skywatching and sightseeing. Thanks for sharing, happy skywatching!
Posted by: eileen | June 29, 2012 at 03:14 PM
This is a great part of the world both geographically and culturally.
Posted by: Taken For Granted | June 29, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Wow! I didn't know there was a legend. Just thought Spider Woman was a fictional character made for TV/Movies. Very interesting, and the photographs were stunning.
Posted by: Carol Carson | June 29, 2012 at 12:27 PM
When I saw your beautiful pictures and read your very interesting post I thought at Tony Hillerman's books. A so great pleasure !
Posted by: Annie | June 29, 2012 at 10:04 AM
What an adventure you have been having, it must be amazing to see this for yourself!
Posted by: lindyloumacinitaly | June 29, 2012 at 07:21 AM
Beautiful captures. Happy sky watching.
My Sky.
Posted by: Liz | June 29, 2012 at 12:55 AM
It's a truly amazing, fascinating area-lovely and descriptive photos.
Posted by: HAZEL | June 29, 2012 at 12:08 AM
Great and lovely images. Is one of them, or more, from Mesa Verde? I seem to recognize it.
Posted by: Jewaicious | June 28, 2012 at 09:52 PM
That's a beautiful part of the country, but then, we are fortunate to have many beautiful places in our Nation.
Posted by: Martha | June 28, 2012 at 08:41 PM
You got some marvelous shots here!!
Posted by: Gail | June 28, 2012 at 07:53 PM
Of all the places I've lived, the Southwest was my favorite. Canyon De Chelly is such a marvelous place.
Posted by: kenschneider | June 28, 2012 at 07:11 PM
Exceedingly interesting blog Sallie.
I wonder how many of the old "Cowboy and Indian" movies were filmed in this area??
The "White House" eh? Certainly doesn't look like the one on "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C."
No doubt all this area is under "preservation laws"??
Cheers
Colin (Brisbane. Australia)
Weather report: Noon, Friday 29th June.
A yellow thing is now visable in the sky, whatsitcalled"??
BUT clouds are again appearing - needed in Colorado (the rain) but not here.
Posted by: Colin Huggins | June 28, 2012 at 07:10 PM
Oh my, these are breathtakingly beautiful, Sallie, especially the White House.
Posted by: Penny | June 28, 2012 at 06:09 PM
When I visited we only had time to do the rim drive....did you use a guide to go down into the canyon?
Posted by: Sondra | June 28, 2012 at 05:57 PM
Awesome rock formation.
Sydney - City and Suburbs
Posted by: J Bar | June 28, 2012 at 05:42 PM
Great photos of a majestic landscape Sallie. We finally got some rain in Breckenridge tonight. Thank goodness!
Posted by: Barb | June 28, 2012 at 05:13 PM
the ruins are just so awe-inspiring. thanks for the explanation of spider rock. :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | June 28, 2012 at 04:32 PM
Great post.
Amazing shots from a beautiful place.
Wish you a wonderful weekend, Sallie.
Mette
Posted by: CameraCruise | June 28, 2012 at 04:00 PM
Incredible formations, - what a beautiful state. Thank you for sharing these amazing pictures, Sallie.
Posted by: Hildred | June 28, 2012 at 03:37 PM
gorgeous. so envious.
Posted by: Ewok | June 28, 2012 at 01:16 PM
Beautiful pictures!
Posted by: Chris | June 28, 2012 at 12:54 PM
I have been there several times! What a coincidence! I lived in the four corners area for over 3 years. I lived in Crownpoint, NM back in the '70s! I still love those mesas and those beautiful mountains! I love to travel back out there and hike!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | June 28, 2012 at 12:49 PM
Fascinating post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | June 28, 2012 at 12:31 PM
Such a gorgeous, dramatic place and your captures for the day are awesome, Sallie! Terrific post! Thanks for sharing with us! Happy SWF! Have a great weekend!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | June 28, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Absolutely amazing shots. Fantastic formations.
Posted by: Carver | June 28, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Great photos and post!Have a nice weekend!
Posted by: Steffi | June 28, 2012 at 12:21 PM
fascinating story and beautiful photos!
Posted by: Laura Hegfield | June 28, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Canyon De Chelly National Monument looks great and unique.
Posted by: Rajesh | June 28, 2012 at 12:15 PM